The Cameroonian banana sector has shown significant growth, thanks to a program supported by the European Union. The program, which was presented at a workshop in Yaoundé on September 23, 2026, aimed to help the sector transition to a liberalized market. The program, which was co-presided over by Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Paul Tasong, and EU Ambassador, Veronica Boskovic Pohar, consisted of 59 projects and contracts.
The program was financed to the tune of 31 billion FCFA and was implemented under the banana-ACP-EU protocol to support the banana sector in its transition to a liberalized market. The program's goal was to support the sector's growth and development, particularly in the South-West region, where the sector has been severely impacted by the socio-political crisis.
According to Minister Delegate Paul Tasong, the program has had a significant impact on the sector, with 2.533 million tonnes of bananas exported during the program's implementation period. This represents a significant increase in exports, with the value of exports rising to 3.252 billion FCFA, up from 2.4 billion FCFA before the program.
The program has also created jobs, with 1.703 direct jobs created at Plantations Haut Penja, while Boh Plantations generated 250 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs. The growth of the sector has also had a positive impact on the local economy, with the Minister Delegate stating that without EU support, the sector would have struggled to develop.
The program's impact was also felt at the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), which is a key operator in the sector. In 2016, CDC produced 110,000 tonnes of bananas, but due to the crisis, it did not export any bananas in 2019. However, with the support of the program, CDC was able to recover and is now expected to produce around 60,000 tonnes of bananas.
The EU's support for the banana sector is part of a broader effort to help Cameroon develop its economy. The sector is a significant source of foreign exchange earnings and job creation, and the EU's support has helped to ensure its continued growth and development.
The program's success has been hailed as a significant achievement, with Minister Delegate Paul Tasong praising the EU's support for the sector. The program's impact is expected to continue to be felt in the coming years, with the sector expected to continue to grow and develop.
Key points
- The program supported by the EU has had a significant impact on Cameroon's banana sector, with 2.533 million tonnes of bananas exported and 1.703 jobs created.
- The program's goal was to support the sector's growth and development, particularly in the South-West region, where the sector has been severely impacted by the socio-political crisis.
- The EU's support for the banana sector is part of a broader effort to help Cameroon develop its economy.
