Yaounde: Gov’t, Emirati investment group sign MoU to drive energy, infrastructure projects.

It was penned by the Chairman of the Board of SGC Investment Group, Emirati Crown Prince Sheikh Eissa Bin Abdullah Al Muallah, and SGC CEO Imran Saeed, alongside the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey.

The ceremony took place under the auspices of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, with several members of government in attendance. 

The MoU sets a general framework for cooperation and opens the way for SGC Investments to begin exploring concrete business opportunities in Cameroon, drawing on the group’s 15 years of international investment experience.

Fruits of long-term negotiations

Officials said the agreement follows negotiations that lasted about 18 months. It allows SGC to study and finance priority projects aligned with Cameroon’s development objectives, particularly in strategic sectors seen as critical to economic growth.

Speaking after the signing, Sheikh Eissa Bin Abdullah Al Muallah described the MoU as a positive signal for future cooperation.

“I would like to thank the Government of Cameroon, and the Prime Minister, for trusting us. We are very happy to visit this country and inshallah we are moving forward as soon as possible,” he said

SGC officials indicated that the group intends to move quickly to assess investment opportunities under the terms of the agreement.

According to SGC, infrastructure will form the core of its planned investments in Cameroon. The spokesperson of the delegation, Omar Farooqi, said the MoU allows the group to begin financing processes without delay.

“About 70 per cent of our focus is on infrastructure projects, while 30 per cent is directed towards large regional groups where we can provide alternative and more feasible sources of financing that complement economic growth,” Farooqi said.

He added that the group’s approach would target projects capable of supporting long-term development while strengthening regional value chains.

MoU aligns with dev’t priorities

Minister Ousmane Mey said the agreement is in line with the Head of State’s vision of expanding economic opportunities, particularly for young people and women. 

He noted that the MoU also fits within Cameroon’s National Development Strategy, NDS30, which prioritises infrastructure development, structural economic transformation and increased production.

The minister added that the government would work closely with SGC to identify and prepare projects eligible for financing in both the public and private sectors.

Talks at the Ministry of Finance

Following the signing ceremony, the Emirati delegation continued its engagements with Cameroonian authorities. The team, led by Sheikh Eissa Bin Abdullah Al Muallah held talks at the Ministry of Finance with Minister Louis Paul Motaze.

Discussions focused on long-term partnerships, financial structures and mechanisms to support development through diversification, competitiveness and entrepreneurship. It also touched on fostering innovation and encouraging technological advancement. Omar Farooqi said the exchange helped clarify expectations on both sides.

“We shared our strategy and vision for Cameroon and discussed various financial aspects with the ministry. We also wanted to understand the ministry’s vision for foreign direct investment. What is important now is to structure the transactions in a way that can be replicated across several projects,” Farooqi said.

He added that energy would be the Group’s immediate priority, followed by housing and other infrastructure sectors.

Energy, water on agenda

As part of the follow-up to the MoU, the delegation also met the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, on January 8, 2026. The audience focused on cooperation prospects in the water and energy sectors, particularly solar energy development.

Discussions covered photovoltaic power plants, mini-grids and off-grid solutions, especially for rural and peri-urban electrification, in line with Cameroon’s national energy compact. 

In the water sector, the Emirati delegation presented integrated solutions combining desalination in certain areas with solar-powered pumping systems to improve access to potable water.

The ministry said the talks form part of the practical implementation of the MoU and could lead to multi-sector partnerships with tangible impact on living conditions. The series of meetings are part of an economic mission to Cameroon by the SGC Investment Group, scheduled to run from January 5 to January 12, 2026. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3668 of Friday January 09, 2026