Chamber of Commerce, Casablanca Finance City scouting business developers.

The commitment emerged during a working session held at the CCIMA headquarters in Douala.

The workshop was organised on June 8. It brought together representatives of the Moroccan financial hub, government officials and private sector stakeholders.

The meeting formed part of an advance mission by Casablanca Finance City ahead of the CFC Africa Tour 2026. It is expected to bring a delegation of business leaders and investors to Cameroon in November.

Opening the session, Eric Messam, representative of Morocco’s African cooperation initiative, said the mission aims to identify and mature concrete investment projects capable of attracting financing and technical support.

He stressed that the Moroccan delegation was not in Cameroon merely to explore ideas, but to accompany viable projects and strengthen value chains in strategic sectors.

According to him, the initiative seeks to support projects in areas such as infrastructure, agribusiness, industry and food production, while working closely with both government and private sector actors.

Messam noted that the Cameroonian government has put in place several instruments to facilitate private sector development, including financial guarantees and incentive mechanisms aimed at reducing investment risks and improving project bankability.

Accessing wider international markets

Also speaking to journalists, Eric Messam emphasised the potential benefits of leveraging Morocco's international trade networks and market access advantages.

He explained that Moroccan companies have developed certifications and partnerships that facilitate access to European and American markets, opportunities that could also benefit Cameroonian producers through strategic cooperation.

According to him, stronger partnerships with Moroccan firms could help Cameroonian exporters overcome some of the barriers they encounter in international trade while expanding market opportunities for local products.

Messam described the November investment mission as a major opportunity for Cameroonian entrepreneurs and encouraged the business community to fully engage with the initiative.

"This is a significant opportunity for Cameroonian businesspeople. We are proud to welcome Casablanca Finance City and we believe Cameroon must take full advantage of this mission," he said.

Cameroon, strategic partner

Speaking at the event, Hicham Chaoudri, Director of Institutional Affairs and African Partnerships at Casablanca Finance City, described Cameroon as a strategic partner for Morocco and one of the most dynamic economies in Central Africa.

He said the visit falls within a broader effort to deepen economic ties between the two countries and identify concrete projects capable of attracting Moroccan and international investors.

"Our approach is first to understand local priorities and identify projects that already exist and require support. We are here to build partnerships and facilitate investments that contribute to economic development," he said.

Chaoudri explained that Casablanca Finance City has emerged as Africa's leading financial centre, hosting nearly 300 multinational corporations, financial institutions and professional service firms operating across the continent.

According to him, the organisation's objective is to channel international investment towards Africa while serving as a platform connecting investors, governments and private sector actors.

He announced that a delegation of about 30 leading business executives based in Casablanca will visit Cameroon in November to explore investment opportunities and establish partnerships with local operators.

"The objective is to transform existing interest into concrete projects. We want to identify priority sectors, major projects and opportunities where our member companies can bring financing, expertise and technical know-how," he stated.

Focus on infrastructure, industry

During an interview with journalists, Chaoudri reiterated that the upcoming mission is intended to facilitate investments in several priority sectors.

He cited infrastructure, green industries, renewable energy, digital technologies and industrial development as areas attracting growing interest from companies affiliated with Casablanca Finance City.

"We are preparing a very important mission. Companies based within Casablanca Finance City are interested in investing in Cameroon. We are here to prepare that engagement and create the conditions for successful partnerships," he said.

Although he did not disclose a specific investment volume, Chaoudri underscored the strong interest shown by investors operating within the Casablanca Finance City ecosystem.

He attributed this interest to Cameroon’s diversified economy, strategic position in Central Africa and long-standing relations between Moroccan and Cameroonian institutions.

Prepare for bankable projects

For his part, Tala Kuaté Daniel, President of the Industry and Mines Section at CCIMA, described the initiative as a significant opportunity for Cameroonian businesses.

He called on economic operators to prepare credible and well-structured projects capable of attracting financing and strategic partnerships.

According to him, Moroccan investors bring not only financial resources but also technical expertise that can support the transformation of Cameroon's productive sectors.

Kuaté said the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030, SND30, particularly the ambition to accelerate structural transformation of the economy through industrialisation and value addition.

He highlighted the need to reduce production costs in Cameroon and improve the competitiveness of locally manufactured products, which often struggle to compete with imported goods.

The CCIMA official pointed to renewable energy solutions, including biogas production from agricultural waste, as one of the approaches that could help industries lower operating costs and improve productivity.

"We must identify the weak links within our value chains and mobilise investments that will help strengthen them. The objective is to make Cameroonian products more competitive and increase local consumption," he said.