MINEPAT and AFD officials at agreement signing ceremony.
Cameroon and the French Development Agency (AFD) have opened a new phase of cooperation with the signing of priority development areas in 2026.
 The Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development and AFD officials exchanged signed documents covering five financing agreements with a total commitment of €175.5 million, or more than CFA115.1 billion. The funding targets priority areas identified by the authorities, including urban resilience, economic inclusion, food security, education, and local governance.
The largest allocation supports the Flood Control Program for Douala and Yaoundé (PLIDY). The project is backed by a sovereign loan of €150 million, equivalent to CFA98 billion. It addresses recurring flooding in Cameroon’s two main cities, with the aim of reducing long-term vulnerability for both populations and infrastructure.
The program is based on an integrated approach. It combines drainage and protection works with improved urban integration of infrastructure, while taking environmental and social issues into account. A monitoring and evaluation framework supports implementation.
Cooperation also extends to women’s entrepreneurship in the North, Far North, Adamawa, and East regions through the SEPTENTRIONEST project. The initiative is financed by a €5 million grant, or CFA3.2 billion, from the French government.
Building on a pilot phase launched in 2023, the project aims to strengthen the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in fragile areas. It focuses on job creation and improved local resilience.
CFA3.2 billion grant alongside C2D funding
In agriculture, the second phase of the Food Security Support Project (SECAL) is receiving a €5 million grant, or CFA3.2 billion. This comes in addition to €16 million mobilized since 2023 under the
Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D).
The project seeks to strengthen rural enterprises through agropastoral advisory services, training, and access to finance across several production basins. Its scope has been extended to the Fako division in the South-West region.
The education sector is receiving sector budget support of €11 million, or CFA7.2 billion, financed through C2D resources. This fourth cycle aims to consolidate reforms launched in 2017.
Planned measures include setting construction standards for classrooms, strengthening municipal project ownership, and improving teacher retention.
Â
Decentralization: support for three regional cities
The fifth component is the REDECA project, with funding of €4.5 million, or about CFA3 billion. It is designed to strengthen decentralization and local governance in the cities of Bafoussam, Bertoua, and Garoua. The project focuses on improving local public services, encouraging citizen participation, and modernizing territorial management.
According to the official statement, REDECA complements other AFD-backed programs, including the Regional Capitals initiative, civil registry strengthening in the West, and the third phase of the Public Finance Reform Support Program (PAGFI 3). The agency said the projects reflect a coherent, long-term approach to decentralization and reaffirm its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable solutions in Cameroon.
