The government of Cameroon is collaborating with local actors to revamp the country's coffee sector, ensuring that national expansion aligns with strict environmental and global market standards. Coffee has been a significant contributor to Cameroon's economic growth, generating an average of FCFA 3.5 billion from the export of 824 tons of Arabica coffee and over FCFA 3.5 billion from 10,377 tons of Robusta exports in the 2024-2025 season. Despite this, coffee's contribution to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains well below one per cent.
To improve the sector, the government and international stakeholders have devised value addition strategies that tackle pre-harvest and post-harvest concerns, with projections to improve quality and expand access to global premium markets. A FCFA 76.7 billion investment plan has been deployed to revitalize the sector, aiming to double coffee production by 2027 to over 22,000 tons across Robusta and Arabica varieties. This plan is expected to boost the sector's growth and increase its contribution to the nation's GDP.
Central to this financial push is the Cocoa and Coffee Sectors Development Fund (FODECC), which distributes direct producer subsidies via a specialized "producer window" to fund orchard regeneration and essential agricultural inputs. This move is expected to increase production and improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers. Additionally, external funding mechanisms, such as a FCFA 34.61 billion agreement with the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), have been put in place to reward deforestation-free coffee farming.
To shift the industry from exporting low-value raw beans, Cameroonian actors are prioritizing local processing, infrastructure, and technical training. This includes the inauguration of a FCFA 1.5 billion modern coffee roasting plant in Bafoussam by the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of the West (UCCAO). This move is expected to increase the value of coffee exports and create jobs in the sector.
The National Coffee and Cocoa Board (NCCB) is also playing a crucial role in the revamping of the sector. The board is responsible for regulating the sector, providing technical assistance to farmers, and ensuring that coffee production meets international standards. With the support of the government and international stakeholders, the NCCB is working to improve the quality of coffee production and increase access to global markets.
Despite the efforts to revamp the sector, stakeholders acknowledge that there are still challenges to be addressed. The sector is still confronted with structural constraints, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change. Addressing these challenges will require sustained efforts from the government, international stakeholders, and local actors.
The revamping of the coffee sector is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of coffee farmers and the economy as a whole. With the right strategies and support, Cameroon can increase its coffee production, improve the quality of its coffee, and increase its contribution to the nation's GDP. The sector's growth is also expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in rural areas.
Key points
- The government of Cameroon has deployed a FCFA 76.7 billion investment plan to revitalize the coffee sector.
- The Cocoa and Coffee Sectors Development Fund (FODECC) is distributing direct producer subsidies to fund orchard regeneration and essential agricultural inputs.
- A modern coffee roasting plant has been inaugurated in Bafoussam to increase the value of coffee exports and create jobs in the sector.
