Yvette Doume épse Banlog, promoter of the International Cassava Festival and president of the Cameroonian Cassava Interprofessional Association, has emphasized the need for Cameroon's cassava industry to shift from a subsistence-based economy to an industrialized one. The industry aims to increase its contribution to the country's economic growth and development. The third edition of the International Cassava Festival, co-organized with the NGO Femmes action et développement économique au Cameroun (Fadec), was recently held to promote the sector.
The All Kassava program, launched by Fadec, seeks to promote, structure, and valorize Cameroon's cassava economy through professional meetings, training sessions, exhibition spaces, and B-to-B meetings. The program aims to bring together producers, processors, equipment manufacturers, investors, researchers, and young people to create a thriving industry. The goal is to make cassava a significant contributor to Cameroon's economy and industrial development.
Cameroon's cassava producers and processors are seeking concrete, coherent, and sustainable measures to enable them to produce, process, and market their products in economically viable conditions. They prioritize the operationalization of the Cameroonian Cassava Interprofessional Association (IPMAC), which requires the installation and functioning of its organs, as well as a technical and operational framework.
The IPMAC also needs to conduct a participatory diagnostic study, a census of actors in the 10 regions, and establish a national database. Additionally, the industry requires the creation of a cassava processing complex, including innovation spaces, applied research centers, and incubation centers. Modernizing production is also crucial, with a focus on facilitating access to equipment, training, and financing.
The Cameroonian Cassava Interprofessional Association was created in July 2026 and currently has around 120 member organizations, with some having up to 120 members. However, it is currently active in only four regions: Center, South, East, and Littoral. The association aims to expand its reach to all 10 regions by the end of 2027.
The association's three-year action plan for 2027-2030 has a budget of 5 billion FCFA. The industry's growth will depend on its ability to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The sector's development is critical to Cameroon's economic growth and job creation.
The success of Cameroon's cassava industry will depend on the collaboration of all stakeholders, including producers, processors, equipment manufacturers, investors, and the government. The industry's potential for growth and job creation makes it an essential sector for the country's economic development.
Key points
- The Cameroonian cassava industry aims to transition from subsistence to industrialization, with a focus on value addition and economic growth.
