Visiting British Minister recognises outstanding local staff.

Handing over commendations to about a dozen excelling country professionals who support and represent British interests in Cameroon and CEMAC, the visiting Minister saluted the expertise, professionalism and devotion of the meritorious staff to advancing excellent bilateral ties.

Among the outstanding staff recognised by the Minister was Michael Kimbi Tchenga, Country Director for the UK Department for Business and Trade. He was distinguished for his contribution to boosting trade and investment between Cameroon and the United Kingdom during the past six years from diligent work done behind the scenes. 

Some of the prominent achievements by the 39-year-old business diplomat, who holds certificates with distinction from Cambridge University, the London School of Economics and ENAM Yaounde, include work on facilitating the Economic Partnership Agreement between Cameroon and the UK concluded in March 2021, financing of the East Entrance road into Douala by UK Export Finance, facilitation of Actis' investment at the Douala Grand Mall, support for UK BII's funding of the Nachtigal Hydro project, hosting of two high-level trade missions between the UK and Cameroon in the last six months and facilitation of a portfolio of business deals worth over a billion pounds across the energy, sustainable infrastructure and mining. 

Michael Kimbi has been one of the brains behind the creation of the UK-Cameroon Chamber of Commerce which hosts distinguished multinational companies like the Standard Chartered Bank, MTN Cameroon, Guinness Cameroon, UBA, Globeleq and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Reacting to the distinction from His Britannic Majesty's government in recognition of his work in Cameroon, the seasoned international trade and investment promotion expert, who hails from Fonfuka- Bum, in the North West Region of Cameroon, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve in promoting new investments in Cameroon and supporting a viable win-win trade relationship between Cameroon and Britain.

It should be recalled that the unassuming senior civil administrator, who previously worked with the government of Cameroon, is a graduate from ENAM. He is passionate about business diplomacy and investment facilitation to enhance the flow of foreign direct investments into Cameroon to boost inclusive economic growth and job creation. 

As an active leader in a pan African network of senior trade and investment promotion directors from 23 countries, he is upbeat about Cameroon's ability to set new standards as a locomotive in the CEMAC economy to attract new business opportunities and occupy centre-stage as a new hub for world class projects in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. He is a champion of clean, sustainable and inclusive growth. 

He sees enourmous potential on Cameroon's investment code and hopes to encourage many more international companies to take advantage of incentives and opportunities offered in the local landscape. Michael Kimbi is married and a father of four.