Cameroon Algeria deepening trade ties with strategic investments

The economic partnership between Cameroon and Algeria is gaining unprecedented momentum, marked by high-level discussions and concrete commitments to expand trade and investment flows. On July 8, 2026, Cameroon’s Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, hosted Abdallah Boukemmache, Algeria’s Ambassador to Cameroon, along with Abdel Khemane, CEO of MADAR Holding—a state-owned conglomerate and Algeria’s second-largest economic group.

Strategic investments and sectoral expansion

With over 6,000 employees across eleven subsidiaries and fourteen investments in key industries—including tobacco, automotive parts, agro-industry, and agriculture—MADAR Holding already ranks as Algeria’s top importer of bananas and coffee. During the meeting, Khemane outlined ambitious plans to deepen collaboration with Cameroonian businesses by importing flagship products such as bananas and coffee, while also exploring substantial investments in these and other sectors, pending approval from Cameroonian authorities. His approach aligns with Algeria’s commitment to South-South cooperation, a pillar of the bilateral relationship.

Milestones in trade and diplomatic engagement

Boukemmache highlighted the robust foundation of Cameroon-Algeria relations, which span political, economic, and commercial spheres. He revealed that more than 15 agreements are currently under negotiation, with a focus on boosting two-way trade rather than one-sided exports. Key indicators underscore this progress: weekly flights between Algiers and Douala have increased to four, Algerian visas issued in Yaoundé surged by over 150%, and Cameroonian exports to Algeria soared by 107% between 2023 and 2024.

New horizons for cocoa, coffee, and beyond

The Minister of Commerce seized the opportunity to introduce Algerian partners to other high-potential sectors in Cameroon’s economy, including cocoa and cotton. Khemane confirmed MADAR Holding’s readiness to invest in these areas, not only for re-export to Algeria but also for local processing. To accelerate these plans, two critical working sessions were scheduled in Douala on July 9, 2026: one with the National Office of Cocoa and Coffee (ONCC) and the Interprofessional Coffee and Cocoa Council (CICC), and another with the Haut Penja Plantation Company (PHP) for bananas. The Algerian delegation expressed a strong desire to commence exports immediately, with minimal bureaucratic hurdles.

A promising future: business forums and economic cooperation

Concluding the meeting, Boukemmache announced plans for an upcoming business forum in Cameroon, led by Algeria’s top business federation. This event aims to mobilize a high-powered delegation of Algerian entrepreneurs, further solidifying the two nations’ shared vision of turning trade intentions into tangible outcomes. For Cameroonian economic operators, the forum presents a valuable opportunity to capitalize on emerging partnerships and drive sustainable growth.