Cameroon-CAFI Partnership

In its 2020-2030 Development Strategy (SND 30), Cameroon focuses on the structural transformation of its economy to ensure inclusive development and promote green growth through the optimal management of forest resources. The country has significant forest resources with nearly 22 million hectares of forests being part of the Congo Basin forests, considered the 2nd climatic lung of the planet after the Amazon. By launching these 4 pilot phase projects, Cameroon is engaging with CAFI in a phase of concretization of a partnership that has been established since October 2024 in Hamburg when the letter of commitment was signed. In addition, this ceremony marks the entry into the active phase of these four structuring pilot projects, which are expected to give impetus to a new dynamic of forest governance, agroecological transition, sustainable land use planning and integrated landscape management, in a context marked by the growing pressure on natural resources and the need to reconcile economic growth and environmental preservation. This is why the challenge of deforestation remains significant. In this sense, the Cameroon-CAFI partnership plans to support the emergence of a green economy in Cameroon, based on the competitiveness of value chains, food security, poverty reduction, the sustainable preservation of the forests of the Congo Basin and the fight against climate change. Thanks to this win-win partnership, the country intends to stay on a trajectory aimed at enabling it to succeed in the structural transformation of its economy for a green and resilient Cameroon through concerted and sustainable management of forest areas.

4 projects, a common vision

the 4 projects of the Cameroon-CAFI partnership mark an important turning point for the country's development strategy. The technical support provided by German cooperation through its implementing institutions, in particular GIZ and KfW, will make a substantial contribution to the success of this large-scale partnership, given their proven expertise. Firstly, the support project for Intersectoral and Multi-Level Coordination within the framework of the partnership between CAFI and Cameroon, implemented by GIZ. Its aim is to build the capacity of national technical structures for enhanced and inclusive intersectoral coordination, and for strategic and spatial planning, in order to move towards a green economy. The main results expected from the implementation of the project are the strengthening of strategic planning towards a "Green Economy", efficient intersectoral coordination and the maintenance of Political Dialogue. The project is national in scope. The envisaged Impact of the project is: "The economic emergence of Cameroon through the development of a green, competitive and sustainable economy, while ensuring food security and reducing the impact on deforestation" This is to be achieved by strengthening "the capacities for better intersectoral and multi-level coordination, with a view to a long-term partnership between Cameroon and CAFI, geared towards a green economy" Secondly, the Capacity Building in Land Management (PRCAT) project, also implemented by GIZ, aims to reconcile the demand for land and resources for economic growth with the sustainable management of ecosystems. It will make it possible to fill the technical and operational gap in land-use planning, and to support the Decentralised Territorial Collectivities (CTDs) in drawing up and implementing their land-use plans. The project's main areas of intervention are the Centre, South and Littoral regions, and the communes of Ngambé-Tikar, Mfou, Akom 2 and Melong. Then there is the Projet Pilote d'Appui à l'Intensification Durable de l'Agriculture et la Transition Agroécologique (PAIDATA) implemented by IFAD, the aim of which is to contribute to the sustainable intensification of agriculture and agro-ecological transition via FODECC. Finally, the Integrated Management of the Grand Mbam Landscape (PGIP-GM) project implemented by KfW aims to strengthen the integrated management of Cameroon's globally important forest landscapes in the Congo Basin in order to guarantee its biological integrity and increase the economic opportunities and livelihoods of populations dependent on the forest.

From the point of view of the partnership itself, it is a question of initiating a multi-stakeholder action in order to undertake structural reforms conducive to sustainable development and the green economy for inclusive and sustainable growth driven by a transformed economy that is more adapted to the needs of the population. Finally, as the mobilization of financing is the backbone of any development project, the Cameroon-CAFI partnership plans to mobilize US$2.5 billion by 2030 to support the establishment of inclusive, competitive and deforestation-free agricultural, forestry and mining value chains. All this will allow Cameroon to succeed in the structural transformation of its economy by achieving green and resilient growth.