Agricultural Development: Gov’t Signs Connection Compact

I n a collective effort to curb agri­ cultural importation and enhance local production that makes agri­ business a driver for job creation, income generation and food security in Cameroon, the Government of Ca­ meroon has signed the AgriConnect Compact with the World Bank Group. The signatory ceremony that took place on October 21, 2026 in Yaounde was co-chaired by the Mi­ nister of Agriculture and Rural De­ velopment (MINADER), Gabriel Mbai­ robe, and that of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), Dr Taiga, in the presence of the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Re­ gional Development represented by the Minister Delegate in charge of Planning, Paul Tasong as well as de­ velopment actors within the private and humanitarian sectors. Aligned with the National Develope­ ment Strategy (SND30), the Agricon­ nect Compact is a World Bank Group Initiative meant to help over 300 million stakeholders and family far­ mers world wide access services, markets, and finance by 2030. Ac­ cording to Minister Gabriel Mbairobe, the compact that seeks to sustainably raise the productivity and production of eight value chains including maize, rice, cassava, palm oil, cocoa, soya, diary, aquaculture and fisheries; will be cofounded by the Government of Cameroon, the World Bank Group, as well as development partners, multi­ lateral and bilateral institutions, the UN system, amongst others. He ex­ plained that the compact planned to run from 2026 to 2030, is anchored in the Rural Sector Development Stra­ tegy / National Agricultural Investment Plan for 2020–2030 (SDSR/PNAI) and Vision 2035. It will feature a contri­ bution of FCFA 201,6 billion from the Government of Cameroon, FCFA 855,2 billion from technical and financial partners as well as the private sector. Also, a sum of over FCFA 328,9 billion has been contributed by devel...