Gov’t, Egyptian envoy explore opportunities in energy, SMEs.

The discussions were held in Yaounde on September 9 and 10, during a visit by Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Karim Sherif. The delegation included Egypt’s Ambassador to Cameroon and representatives of Egyptian construction company, The Arab Contractors.

According to the Ministry of Water and Energy, Sherif and his delegation met Water and Energy Minister, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, on September 10. 

The audience examined Cameroon’s priority needs and projects that could attract Egyptian expertise, technology and investment. The ministry said Cameroonian officials were invited to submit detailed proposals and documentation for projects considered ready for development.

Speaking to the press after the meeting with Minister Eloundou Essomba, Sherif explained that the visit was intended to give fresh momentum to cooperation between Yaounde and Cairo. He placed the proposed partnerships within the framework of South-South cooperation.

“We must work towards building an Africa that possesses its own resources and uses them for its development,” Sherif stated.

On his part, Minister Eloundou Essomba identified an increase in electricity generation capacity as one of the country’s priorities. He spotlighted the potential for solar energy development in the northern regions. 

The minister cited the solar plants installed in Maroua and Guider with Norwegian company Scatec under a lease-purchase arrangement. He added that three additional solar projects were under development to increase and diversify electricity supply.

R-L, Minister Achille Bassilekin III with Karim Sherif

The two sides, the ministry revealed, also discussed Cameroon’s gas resources and their possible use in electricity production. Projects examined included the interconnection of the Southern and Northern Interconnected Grids and the planned rehabilitation of the Lagdo hydroelectric plant. 

In the water sector, Eloundou Essomba mentioned access difficulties in rural communities. He said the construction of small water-retention dams should be planned before the end of 2026.

According to the Ministry of SMEs, its minister, Achille Bassilekin III, received the Egyptian delegation on September 9. The ministry revealed that both sides explored the mobilisation of international financing for Cameroonian start-ups, particularly those operating in the digital sector. 

They also discussed technology transfer and cooperation between institutions responsible for developing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the ministry, the talks equally covered the revival of a proposed training centre for leather trades and the opening of negotiations towards a cooperation agreement in handicrafts. 

The ministry added that both countries discussed plans for a Cameroon-Egypt business forum. Cameroonian companies and investors were also invited to participate in the El Alamein African Business Forum scheduled for October in Egypt.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3910 of Tuesday September 15, 2026