At Business Matching Forum 2026: Cameroon, Thailand strengthen ties, develop opportunities.

The crowd-pulling business matchmaking event took place Wednesday at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel.

It was organised by the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts, CCIMC. It was attended by the representative of the President of the Chamber of Commerce, the Director of the Thailand Trade Centre in Abuja, the representative of the Investment Promotion Agency, IPA, the Secretary General of the Court of Arbitration of the Chamber of Commerce and a trade delegation from Thailand.

According to organisers, the aim of the business forum was to connect Thailand Companies across varied sectors including agro-food, machinery and security with Cameroonian companies and entrepreneurs.

The event, they said, is a follow up to contracts initiated by the government and Thailand to strengthen institutional collaboration and promote trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Bidzogo Ndongo Bienvenue, who is the Regional Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce for the Centre Region, representing of the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Christophe Eken, explained that the aim of the forum is to “match Cameroonian and Thailand Companies in order to develop business between both countries”.

Bidzogo added that the institution was committed to multiple business opportunities “where foreign enterprises can meet with Cameroonian enterprises”.

He explained that the representatives of Thailand in Abuja, Nigeria, were seduced by the country’s strategic position as a gateway not only to the CEMAC market. 

Bidzogo was convinced that Thailand companies, through such ambitious initiatives, will be able to reach more than 80 million people in the CEMAC region, but also throughout Africa, enabling these companies to penetrate the African market.

He also stressed that Cameroonian companies must tap from the rich expertise from their Thailand counterparts and benefit from the opportunities.

“It is not just about Thai companies making profits and earning. It is a question of Cameroonian companies working with companies that already have a more advanced economy,” Bidzogo said.

He added that: “It is not just a question of us selling their products, but also about knowing how we can transform our economy by working with these Thailand companies”.

“There are so many opportunities”

Speaking earlier, the Focal Point and Honourary Economic Adviser of Thailand to Cameroon, Senator Dr Dsamou Micheline, mentioned that the forum was an opportunity for Thailand and Cameroon to exchange ideas.

She said Cameroonian companies had so much to gain from partnering with Thailand who have greatly advanced over the years.

According to her, Cameroon is an investment in El Dorado but insisted that they have to seize the opportunity.

“I already believe in this country [referring to Cameroon]. And this country has so much potential. Thailand is a country that has embraced development. Perhaps 30-40 years ago, they were like us. So, we have a lot to learn from these people. There are so many opportunities,” Senator Dr Dsamou said.

Enter Thai trade Director

The Director of the Thai Trade Centre, Kanokpun Phattraprinsiri, revealed that like the rest of the African continent, Cameroon is witnessing continued economic growth.

She said according to statistics from the World Bank, Cameroon’s growth will expand by about 4.3%. 

Kanokpun also mentioned that they were ready to accompany the government's policy to expand and develop with high quality, affordable and suitable products from Thailand for Cameroonian companies.

“The objective is to bring Thailand experts to meet Cameroon importers to boost trade between both nations. We brought many kinds of products and we will see the market survey in Cameroon and maybe in the future, we can define which product we can focus on solely,” Kanokpun said. 

She said the gathering was also aimed at encouraging Thailand entrepreneurs to expand their new market especially to Africa, including Central Africa.

“Africa is the new market. So, we brought our expertise from Thailand to explore the market and to meet new importers in this region and meet each other to have a close collaboration,” Kanokpun said.

The need to build confidence among Thailand entrepreneurs and Cameroon trading partners, build relationship and trade network between Thai entrepreneurs and importers from West Africa and Central Africa especially Cameroon, was also brought to the fore.  

Cameroon, Thailand companies laud move

During one of the business matching sessions, one of the representatives of a Thailand company, Yan Naing Tun, an expert sales executive from Variety Foods International Co. LTD said the exchanges were enriching and profitable.

“We brought our Thailand quality product to Cameroon people. Our products are food value added products and we export to more than 50 countries right now. We brough innovative products like healthy snacks like biscuits. It is mostly made from wheat flour,” Yan said.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3708 of Thursday February 19, 2026