Cameroon and the French Development Agency (AFD) have entered a new phase of cooperation following the signing of five financing agreements totaling €175.5 million, or more than CFA115.1 billion.
The documents were exchanged on January 21 at the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development.
The funding is directed at priority areas identified by the Cameroonian authorities, including urban resilience, economic inclusion, food security, education and local governance, source reported.
The largest share of the financing is allocated to the Flood Control Program for Douala and Yaoundé (PLIDY), supported by a sovereign loan of €150 million, equivalent to about CFA98 billion.
The project targets recurrent flooding in Cameroon’s two largest cities and aims to reduce long-term risks to residents and infrastructure.
It is built on an integrated approach that combines drainage and flood protection works with better urban integration of infrastructure, while addressing environmental and social considerations.
Implementation will be supported by a dedicated monitoring and evaluation framework.
AFD’s cooperation also covers support for women’s entrepreneurship through the SEPTENTRIONEST project in the North, Far North, Adamawa and East regions.
The initiative is financed by a €5 million grant, or CFA3.2 billion, from the French government.
Building on a pilot phase launched in 2023, the project focuses on strengthening the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in fragile areas, with an emphasis on job creation and improving local resilience.
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In the agricultural sector, the second phase of the Food Security Support Project (SECAL) is receiving a €5 million grant, equivalent to CFA3.2 billion.
This funding is in addition to €16 million mobilized since 2023 under the Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D).
The project aims to reinforce rural enterprises through agropastoral advisory services, training and improved access to finance across several production basins, with its scope extended to the Fako division in the South-West region.
The education sector is benefiting from €11 million, or CFA7.2 billion, in sector budget support financed through C2D resources.
This fourth cycle is intended to consolidate reforms launched in 2017 and includes measures such as setting standards for classroom construction, strengthening municipal ownership of projects and improving teacher retention.
The fifth project, REDECA, is backed by €4.5 million, or about CFA3 billion, and focuses on strengthening decentralization and local governance in the cities of Bafoussam, Bertoua and Garoua.
The initiative aims to improve local public services, promote citizen participation and modernize territorial management.
According to the official statement, the REDECA project complements other AFD-supported programs, including the Regional Capitals initiative, civil registry strengthening in the West region and the third phase of the Public Finance Reform Support Program (PAGFI 3).
AFD said the set of projects reflects a coherent, long-term approach to decentralization and reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable development solutions in Cameroon.
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Image Credit: Nations Online
