Public-private dialogue in yaoundé: a new horizon for trade in services in central africa
On March 23, 2026, Yaoundé hosted a strategic meeting dedicated to trade in services within the framework of the ZLECAf. Chaired by the Minister of SMEs, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, Achille BASSILEKIN III, this dialogue laid the groundwork for a more inclusive economic integration, driven by women and youth.
As the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference is currently in full swing, Cameroon reaffirmed its regional leadership earlier this week by bringing together public and private stakeholders. The challenge: transforming the potential of trade in services—transport, tourism, ICT—into concrete growth levers for SMEs.
Breaking barriers to service exports
For businesses led by women and youth, the African market of 1.4 billion consumers often remains difficult to access. The dialogue identified and proposed solutions to three major hurdles:
- Financing: Establishing tailored guarantee mechanisms.
- Access to Information: Better knowledge of rules of origin and service standards.
- Connectivity: Strengthening digital infrastructure (ICT).
Service subcontracting at the heart of ZLECAf
For the SPX-CMR, promoting trade in services is in separable from industrial development.
"The ZLECAf is not just about goods.Subcontracting services—such as industrial maintenance, logistics, and software engineering—is a driver of competitiveness. This public-private dialogue shows that Cameroon is ready to support its SMEs, especially those led by youth and women, so they can become leading service providers across Central Africa", explains the Head of Partnerships at the SPX-CMR.
Through the technical support of the ECCAS and development partners (ITC, EU, World Bank), roadmaps are being developed to facilitate access to cross-border markets. This dialogue marks a crucial step toward building a more resilient trade environment where added value remains on the continent.
