Prime Minister and Head of Government Joseph Dion Ngute has called on ministers responsible for implementing Cameroon’s Integrated Agro-Pastoral and Fisheries Import Substitution Plan to ensure the efficient implementation of its components in the 2025 fiscal year.
The prime minister made the call on January 30 in Yaoundé during the first cabinet meeting of the year, where discussions focused on the successes, challenges, and progress of the initiative.
The Integrated Agro-Pastoral and Fisheries Import Substitution Plan is a government strategy with the aim of scaling up domestic production of essential foodstuffs such as rice, maize, fish, and milk.
The government hopes the initiative will significantly reduce spending on food imports while promoting self-sufficiency and economic stability.
A Presidential Directive for Economic Balance
Minister of the Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine Ousman Mey, specified the primary objectives of the plan.
He also elaborated on its importance in ensuring food security, stabilising inflation, and addressing Cameroon’s longstanding trade imbalance.
“The first priority is food security,” Minister Ousman Mey stated.
“Inflation remains a major concern, and we are determined to combat this issue. Secondly, the head of State has expressed his ambition to reverse our trade deficit, which has persisted over the past 10 to 15 years. To transition to a more favourable balance, we must significantly reduce our reliance on imports, especially in the agricultural sector.”
With a projected budget of FCFA 1,500 billion over the 2024-2026 period, the government expects the program to stimulate local production and reduce dependency on foreign goods.
Key Achievements and Future Targets
The first cabinet meeting of the year served as a platform to evaluate the achievements of the import substitution plan while mapping out strategies for its effective execution in 2025.
Minister Ousman Mey outlined key results, including the securing of 200,000 hectares of farmland, the production of 452 tonnes of high-quality seeds, and the availability of 2 million tonnes of fertiliser for local producers.
In the agricultural sector, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Bairobe, highlighted progress in reducing maize imports.
“In maize production, we have achieved significant milestones,” Minister Bairobe stated.
“We have successfully reduced maize importation from 500,000 tonnes to just 40,000 tonnes, demonstrating our commitment to self-sufficiency.”
For the livestock and fisheries sectors, Minister of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries, Dr. Taiga, outlined the government’s 2025 objectives.
This includes boosting local fish production, enhancing access to research findings, and boosting milk production.
Prime Minister Dion Ngute reiterated the importance of stringent supervision in ensuring that the government effectively implements all components of the import substitution plan in the 2025 state budget.
Overcoming Structural Challenges
Despite the government’s ambitions, Cameroon continues to grapple with structural constraints that hinder the full realization of the import substitution policy.
The country’s persistent negative trade balance is largely due to an underdeveloped industrial base, limited access toi finance, and a shortage of skilled labor.
Expert Wants Business Climate Strengthened
Economic experts argue that addressing these challenges could ensure the success of the policy.
The three-year initiative will strengthen domestic production capacities, promote value addition to local resources, and encourage the consumption of homegrown products.
However, analysts warn that these objectives may remain unattainable unless authorities significantly improve the business climate.
Gilbert Ewane, a business consultant and social entrepreneur, believes that facilitating financial access for young entrepreneurs could significantly accelerate import substitution.
“Increasing financial access for young entrepreneurs is critical,” Ewane explained.
“The government must prioritise infrastructure and technological advancements to enhance production capabilities. Additionally, investments in research and development will be instrumental in boosting industrial output.”
Experts further emphasise the importance of implementing strict quality control measures to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of locally manufactured products.
These measures, they argue, will contribute to creating a more resilient and self-sufficient economy.
