Agricultural Development: Obstacles Stall Multi-Billion Strides

S ince Cameroon gained its independence, the State has been a primary beneficiary of donor-funded projects targeting many sectors, including agriculture and rural development. Among others, multi-billion projects such as Investment Fund for Communal and Agricultural Micro-projects scheme (FIMAC I) and the FCFA 75.5 billion Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PDCVA) which officially concluded on September 16, 2026, were meant to modernize national far­ ming and livestock production. Jointly funded by the Islamic De­ velopment Bank, alongside the Cameroonian government, and lo­ cal agricultural beneficiaries, the programmes were designed to improve processing, storage and market access for rural commo­ dities like cassava, maize, milk, and meat; increase average hou­ sehold income per year, and en­ able the creation of jobs for young agribusiness entrepreneurs in Ca­ meroon. However, the implementation of these projects leaves much to be desired. Reports from the Audit Chamber of the Supreme Court of Cameroon revealed recurring ope­ rational bottlenecks that hampered overall progress. In addition to funding shortfalls, official audits cited financial irregularities, weak internal controls, and cumbersome procurement rules. Bureaucratic friction, such as protracted recruit­ ment timelines for key technical staff and slow turnaround times for required "no-objection" notices from funding partners, repeatedly de...