Cameroon’s Consul General in Lagos, Bibi Manga Bell, and the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona, have jointly advocated for strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon.
They made the call at the Cameroon Consulate located on Victoria Island, Lagos, during the dual occasion of the launch of the Cameroon Business Network and the commemoration of the 54th Cameroon Youth Day.
According to the organizers, the platform aims to cultivate robust and enduring business connections between Nigeria and Cameroon. It seeks to bridge the divide between the two nations’ business communities, fostering collaboration and facilitating trade.
The project was initiated by Tayim Atam under the supervision of the Consulate of Cameroon in Lagos. Speaking about the platform’s launch, Bell stated, “This is a platform where Cameroonian men and women will meet Nigerian businessmen and women to exchange ideas and conduct business.
In his remarks, the Director General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, expressed hope for enhanced collaboration between Nigerian and Cameroonian businesses following the deliberations. He emphasised the desire for increased partnerships and the enhancement of trade balance between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Cameroonians and Nigerians have engaged in business for years, with a consistent flow of transactions and interactions across the border. Culturally, there have been ongoing engagements and interactions. While we have always collaborated and worked together, it is essential to elevate our efforts to the next level. We need to enhance our methods of collaboration to ensure mutual benefits for the economies of both countries.
Advising Cameroonians, she emphasized, “If you want to do business in Nigeria, you must come through a formal channel, go through the legal route, the same applies to Nigerians doing business in Cameroon.”
Speaking with The Guardian, Blaise Kengne, the Managing Director of Barry Callebaut, commented on the cocoa business in Africa. He mentioned, “Cocoa business is tough this season, but compared to the past two years, the cocoa price has tripled, which is good news for our farmers. We are expecting youths to engage in cocoa farming, knowing that it is becoming a good source of income.”
“Shipping raw cocoa to foreign countries and importing chocolate doesn’t make sense. We will earn more if the transformation is done locally but I am happy that some countries in Africa are taking steps to cut shipping and start to refine.”