Gov’t, South Korea review cooperation ties.

This was during a recent meeting between Minister Ousmane Mey and the newly appointed Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA, Kim Kyukum, in Yaounde. 

The meeting follows the recent arrival of the KOICA official in Cameroon and comes as both parties reaffirm ongoing cooperation that has been in place since 2011. 

The discussions focused on expanding development projects aligned with the country’s national development plan, particularly in sectors with measurable economic impact such as public administration reform, water access, and health infrastructure.

“I arrived in Cameroon two months ago and this visit is an opportunity to present myself to the minister. During our discussions, he mentioned the importance of cooperation between Cameroon and Korea which has continued since 2011,” Kim Kyukum stated.

It emerged from the meeting that KOICA’s interventions in Cameroon are concentrated in key sectors including the digital transformation of public services, governance, water and sanitation. 

A central project highlighted is the Cameroon Online e-Procurement System, COLEPS, which aims to digitise public procurement processes. 

The initiative is expected to streamline administrative procedures and improve efficiency in public spending management, reinforcing transparency in state contracting systems.

According to the officials, the cumulative value of South Korea’s development projects in Cameroon is estimated at nearly CFA93 billion, with approximately 45 per cent delivered in the form of grants. 

The funds are distributed across multiple sectors, including governance digitisation, healthcare, and access to potable water, indicating a diversified investment approach that targets both institutional capacity and service delivery.

Beyond digital systems, cooperation also extends to human capital development, with several Cameroonian professionals trained annually in South Korea to strengthen technical capacity. In the health sector, the Yaounde Emergency Centre, CURY, stands as a flagship project, contributing to the enhancement of the country’s healthcare infrastructure and technical capabilities.

The partnership also supports decentralised access to potable water and broader administrative modernisation efforts, positioning Korean cooperation as a contributor to Cameroon’s long-term economic planning priorities.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3783 of Friday May 08, 2026