[ACCI-CAVIE] The International Trade Center (ITC), in collaboration with Cameroon’s Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency, recently concluded a four-day training session in Yaoundé. This initiative highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to position Cameroonian SMEs to leverage the benefits of this transformative trade framework. 

Empowering SMEs for a Market of 1.3 Billion Consumers

Organized under the program “Exporting Within AfCFTA,” this training is the result of a strategic partnership between ITC and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The program combines online and in-person modules to equip African entrepreneurs with the skills needed to maximize the potential of AfCFTA. With access to a market of 1.3 billion consumers and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA offers an unprecedented opportunity for African businesses to enhance their competitiveness and expand their market reach. 

Cameroon: a trailblazer in AfCFTA trade 

Cameroon has emerged as a frontrunner in implementing AfCFTA mechanisms. In October 2022, the country issued its first export certificate under the framework to GIC Afatex, enabling the export of safou fruits, dried pineapples, and ginger to Ghana. This milestone was quickly followed by other agro-industrial companies, such as Cameroon Tea Estate and Ndawara Tea Estate, which exported tea to the same destination. 

AfCFTA’s impact is not limited to exports. On July 2, 2023, the Port of Kribi recorded Cameroon’s first import under the agreement: a shipment of resin from Tunisia for Inoda Industries Sarl, a local paint and coating producer. More recently, on July 5, 2024, the Port of Douala marked another milestone with the containerized export of 99.4 tons of aluminum ingots by Alucam to Algeria. 

AfCFTA: a catalyst for SME growth 

These tangible examples demonstrate AfCFTA’s direct influence on Cameroon’s trade dynamics. For local SMEs, the free trade area paves the way for increased competitiveness in the African market. By offering preferential tariffs and expanded logistical networks, businesses can broaden their reach, enhance their resilience, and actively participate in the continent’s economic integration. 

Enhancing SME engagement with AfCFTA 

Through initiatives like ITC’s training program, Cameroon is committed to turning challenges into opportunities. By raising SME awareness of AfCFTA’s benefits and providing technical support, the country is equipping its businesses to thrive in this new ecosystem. 

Leveraging AfCFTA, Cameroon is positioning its SMEs as key players in intra-African trade while contributing to the vision of a united and economically prosperous continent.

The editorial staff