This meeting allowed for a review of the cooperation between Cameroon and the European Union in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises, social economy, and crafts, while also highlighting new opportunities for private sector actors in Cameroon.

During the exchanges, Minister Achille BASSILEKIN III praised the multifaceted support provided by the European Union for the development of Cameroon's private sector, particularly through various programs and mechanisms aimed at strengthening the capacities of SMEs, improving their competitiveness, and facilitating their integration into value chains.

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Jean-Marc CHATAIGNIER for his support of the initiatives undertaken by the Cameroonian Government in favor of SMEs, social economy, and crafts during his mandate.

New Instruments to Transform SMEs

The audience notably allowed for the highlighting of the enrichment, during the mandate of H.E. Jean-Marc CHATAIGNIER, of the portfolio of Cameroon-EU cooperation in the SME sector.

Among the new programs are the Program to Support Economic Development through the Promotion of Value Chains and Private Initiative (PAD-CV), launched in 2024, as well as the Digital Acceleration Program for Cameroon and the Digital Business Boost for Africa program, both introduced in 2026.

For the Minister, these new instruments must now go beyond traditional support to become true instruments of productive transformation, capable of contributing to the growth, modernization, and competitiveness of Cameroonian SMEs.

In this perspective, Achille BASSILEKIN III expressed the wish that this dynamic be maintained and strengthened under the impetus of the successor of H.E. Jean-Marc CHATAIGNIER, in order to consolidate the support of the European Union for Cameroonian private sector actors.

A Cooperation Inscribed in the Long Term

However, the European Union's commitment to Cameroon in the field of SMEs did not begin with the current ambassador's mandate. Several structuring initiatives have been put in place previously, including the Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange (BSTP), the Business Creation Formalities Centers (CFCE), the e-regulation project with Mybusiness.cm, the Program to Support the Development of Agricultural and Agro-Food SMEs (PMEAA), the Competitiveness Support Mechanism for Cameroon (DACC), and the Program to Support and Accompany the Economic Partnership Agreement (PASAPE).

These various mechanisms testify to the common will to strengthen the business environment and promote the emergence of a more competitive and better-integrated Cameroonian private sector in regional and international markets.

Europe, a Market with High Potential for Cameroonian SMEs

The exchanges also focused on the opportunities offered by the European market to Cameroonian businesses. Through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Cameroon and the European Union, Cameroonian exports benefit from free access to the European market, offering significant prospects for SMEs with a competitive offer and meeting the requirements of the market.

For the MINPMEESA, the challenge is now to enable more Cameroonian SMEs to seize these opportunities, by strengthening their productivity, innovation capacity, digital transformation, and ability to meet international standards.

At the end of the audience, Minister Achille BASSILEKIN III reaffirmed the MINPMEESA's availability to continue and deepen cooperation with the European Union, for the benefit of a more dynamic, innovative, and competitive Cameroonian entrepreneurial ecosystem.


Source: Minpmeesa

Tags: coopération cameroun-ue pme économie sociale artisanat développement économique union européenne cameroun entreprises marché européen