Cameroon

Context

Cameroon forests cover approximately 19 million hectares, approximately the size of Syria. Deforestation was relatively low until 2013, but annual rates have doubled between the 2006-2012 period and the 2013-2019 period (see graph here). While there is no recent study on drivers, agriculture - small, semi permanent (cocoa, coffee and cotton in the Northern region) and large scale (oil palm, rubber), wood-energy production, as well as infrastructure projects and mining play an important role.

The rural sector is one of the mainstays of the Cameroonian economy, contributing approximately 21% of GDP (2012 to 2018). In terms of exports, the rural sector accounts for 55% of the country's export earnings -  ahead of hydrocarbons (30%). However, the large imports in agro-food products impact the trade balance negatively,  catalyzing a national ambition to increase domestic agricultural production. This is compounded by the fact that Cameroon’s population is expected to double by 2046, with projections of an increase of 20 million people in urban areas and 17 million in rural areas, which will trigger a growing demand for food production.

Cameroon's ambition to increase its domestic agricultural production is part of the national vision to become an emerging and industrialized economy by 2035. The Government strategy aims to satisfy the growing national and regional market for oil palm and its industrialised derivatives, thereby driving expansion of large, medium and small-scale palm plantations. The Government’s goal to double cocoa production could drive increasing forest degradation unless productivity can be increased on existing farms, and expansion focused in already degraded forest, or afforestation promoting locally-developed cocoa agroforestry practices in savannah areas. Unlike other countries in the region, Cameroon is already experiencing very significant pressure on land, not only due to demographic factors but also related to the development of economic activities.

The Partnership with CAFI 

Following a preparatory phase initiated since 2018, CAFI and Cameroon have entered in 2023 into an ambitious 3-phased partnership. 

The Start-up Phase (2023-2026) will prepare the ground for the negotiation and signing of a long-term partnership (Letter of Intent) as a basis for broader CAFI commitment, and strengthen the capacities of national and local authorities and communities to ensure a robust and inclusive intersectoral coordination; with strategic and spatial planning necessary for the development of a “Green Economy” in line with the objectives of the national development strategy. A series of projects will be implemented during this phase (see decisions here and the "our programmes section below).

The Engagement Phase (2026-2030) in which the Government of Cameroon defines policy commitments in line with the National Development Strategy, with milestones on deforestation and forest degradation. A budgeted programming pipeline will be prepared. CAFI’s Executive Board will make funding pledges based on Cameroon political commitments and presented budgets.

The Expansion phase (beyond 2027) Partners will seek a gradual increase in funding and actions to achieve milestones over time. Additional funding could be allocated on the basis of demonstrated needs to strengthen projects that have obtained significant results.