The Ad Hoc Committee of the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Cameroon met on March 20, 2025, at the headquarters of the National Shippers’ Council of Cameroon (CNCC) in Douala. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Auguste MBAPPE PENDA, Director General of the CNCC, the meeting was attended by several strategic institutions and the Trade Law Centre (TRALAC), represented by its Director, Ms. Trudi Hartzenberg. The objective: to accelerate the implementation of the GTI and strengthen support for Cameroonian small and medium-sized enterprises to take full advantage of the single African market.
Cameroon, committed to the AfCFTA from its inception, is among the first pilot countries to test the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). This meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee provided an opportunity to assess progress in its implementation and explore avenues for supporting local economic stakeholders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as organizations led by women and youth. The participation of Ms. Trudi Hartzenberg, Director of TRALAC, was a highlight of this meeting. Her organization plays a key role in providing legal and technical support for the implementation of the AfCFTA. She expressed interest in strengthening collaboration with Cameroonian institutions to maximize the benefits of intra-African trade.
Exchanges to strengthen local businesses
Several Cameroonian institutions took part in the discussions, including the National Institute of Statistics, the Single Window for Foreign Trade Operations, the ports of Douala and Kribi, and the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce. The main objective of the discussions was to identify strategies to help local businesses better integrate into the African single market. According to Mr. CHAM Etienne BAMA, ICG coordinator for Cameroon, one of the major challenges remains capacity building for cross-border traders. “Cameroon maintains intense trade relations with Nigeria, and it is essential to adapt our training programs to facilitate the export of Cameroonian products to this strategic market,” he emphasized.
An ambitious action plan for 2025
One of the highlights of this meeting was the presentation of the 2025 action plan. This focuses on training economic actors, facilitating cross-border trade and simplifying customs procedures.
With the support of technical and financial partners, Cameroon aims to increase the competitiveness of its businesses in the African market. The ultimate goal is to fully integrate SMEs and businesses led by young people and women into the dynamics of intra-African trade, so that they can benefit from the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.
Cameroon, a key player in the African single market
By joining the first group of ICG pilot countries alongside Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tunisia and South Africa, Cameroon is positioning itself as a key player in the implementation of the AfCFTA.
The commitment of the Ad Hoc Committee and the various institutions present demonstrates a strong desire to accelerate African economic integration. Through these initiatives, the country intends to play a leading role in building a prosperous and inclusive African common market.
