Cameroon is working to transform its dialogue with the American private sector into more tangible investments, despite its exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This is the key message from the business luncheon organized on March 26 in Yaoundé by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon (AmCham), on the sidelines of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.
AmCham Cameroon believes that the investment potential is real, but its realization depends on a more transparent business climate, better information on opportunities, and an increased economic focus on local value creation. AmCham President Laure Djoukam advocates for partnerships that create businesses, support industrialization, and generate jobs, thereby transforming Cameroon into a higher value-added production base.
To attract more American companies, Cameroon must offer a safer environment based on legal certainty, transparency, and effective contract enforcement. AmCham is positioning itself as an intermediary between its members and the Cameroonian administration, particularly customs and tax authorities, to address business concerns and improve dialogue with authorities.
The Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé, John G. Robinson, highlighted the lack of information on Cameroon's economic offerings. Companies interested in the mining, critical minerals, or services sectors struggle to understand market entry procedures and operating conditions.
By bringing together government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, AmCham Cameroon aims to develop a more practical roadmap between Yaoundé and Washington. Cameroon's goal is to convert dialogue into concrete projects, with an emphasis on diversifying partners, local transformation, and job creation. Although AGOA exclusion presents a challenge, Cameroon is actively seeking to attract American capital by improving the clarity, predictability, and credibility of its business environment. The U.S. remains eager to see more of its companies trade with and invest in Cameroon, viewing the American corporate presence as a "win-win" that supports U.S. manufacturing while driving industrialization and job creation in Cameroon. In 2024, U.S. goods and services trade with Cameroon totaled an estimated $694.8 million, up 13.9 percent from 2023.
