At Market Sounding Road Show in London: MINFI boss seduces investors to finance development projects.

This was the goal of the minister’s charm offensive at the Market Sounding Road Show in London, to test market appetite ahead of new financing operations.

The Market Sounding Road Show was organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, CWEIC.

It held at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and a primary convening hub for CWEIC, from September 9 to 10, 2026. 

Minister Motaze was accompanied by a powerful delegation including; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development in charge of Planning, Paul Tasong; the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu.

Also present was the Director General of Treasury, Monetary and Financial Cooperation, Moh Sylvester, the Director General of FEICOM, Camille Akoa, the Director General of the Autonomous Sinking Fund, Adolphe Noah Ndongo, among other senior officials of the Ministry of Finance. 

Borrowing to finance dev’t better 

Minister Motaze used the London event to showcase Cameroon’s investment opportunities to foreign investors. He also presented the country’s vision to finance its development initiatives better. 

“We have not come here to present a Cameroon where everything has already been accomplished. But we can look with confidence at the road we have covered,” Motaze told bankers, insurers and development-financing institutions at the event. 

He reiterated to investors that Cameroon’s debt remains sustainable, as it continues to pursue its development objectives. 

The member of government also used the opportunity to present the country’s clear policy direction on investment.

He said Cameroon is not “simply looking to borrow more, but to finance its development better”. 

Motaze said the goal is for the right capital to be gotten at the right cost for the right projects.

The minister explained to investors that the new policy is hinged on mobilising capital at sustainable costs and making greater use of guarantees, blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms.

Key investment opportunities presented 

Minister Moatze during the London event, presented key investment opportunities in the energy and hydropower sector, transport infrastructure, mining, agro-industry, manufacturing, digital connectivity, water and urban infrastructure. 

He said with Nachtigal already operational and Kikot under development, Cameroon is positioning its energy potential as a key investment opportunity for those willing to do business in the country. 

Motaze also said sustainable finance is at the heart of the strategy. He said since the adoption of the sustainable financing framework in 2024, Cameroon has been working to develop green, social and sustainability instruments.

He also mentioned carbon finance mechanisms linked to the ecological potential of the Congo Basin. 

The minister said the ambition is to move beyond showcasing Cameroon’s potential and develop bankable projects capable of attracting long-term investors.

Economy not reliant on oil 

The minister also reassured investors of the resilience of the country’s economy despite challenges. 

He said despite a 6.6% decline in hydrocarbon extraction in 2025, the country has maintained growth at 3.5% for the third consecutive year. 

Motaze said non-oil activities now account for nearly 98% of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and Cameroon represents 44% of the CEMAC economy. 

He noted that as at 2025 the GDP to public debt ratio stood at 43.7%. This, he said, is against a 70% established by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC. 

To further assure investors of the country’s investment environment, Motaze detailed that the country has more than 12 gigawatts of hydropower potential. He also said 406 billion FCFA is in climate-tagged budget expenditure in 2026.

He detailed that foreign direct investment is no longer keeping pace with its stock, which had peaked at around 560 billion FCFA in 2022, falling back to approximately 473 billion FCFA, or 1.2% of GDP. 

The minister also talked of an 88,000–89,000 billion FCFA investment envelope under the NDS30. He said 45% of the resources are expected from development partners and the private sector.

This, the minister explained, means mobilising around 1,500 billion FCFA per year, or more than three times the current stock. It is this gap that the minister explained Yaounde is attempting to bridge by changing its approach. 

“The State cannot carry out this transformation alone,” Motaze acknowledged. Cameroon now wants to combine guarantees, risk-sharing, blended financing and ESG bonds. 

The minister even opened the door, “when the conditions are met,” to Sukuk, Panda Bonds and Samurai Bonds, in order to seek investors in new markets.

Capability in sustainably managing debts

To recall that during the 13th meeting of borrower and lender nations that make up the Paris Club, in Paris, France, last June, Minister Motaze had said Cameroon is a borrower nation that demonstrates astute capability in sustainably managing its debts.

He had explained that Cameroon embodies the category of middle-income countries which maintains a rigorous trajectory and scrupulously honour its commitments. 

Last February 18, the Ministry of Finance announced that Cameroon will return to the international financial market to mobilise 585 billion FCFA.

This was as part of its 2026 external financing strategy, to enable the government complete its targeted 1,000 billion FCFA mobilisation on the international market for the current financial year.

The ministry had said the planned 585 billion FCFA represents the balance required after an initial successful bond issuance carried out last January in London. Then it maintained that approximately 415 billion FCFA was raised through a seven-year bond with a two-year grace period. 

Government had said the funds mobilised are to settle outstanding budgetary arrears, payment of certified expenditures on priority projects, continuation and completion of public investments, and securing the financing of the 2026 State budget. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3911 of Wednesday September 16, 2026