Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, has led a high-level government and business delegation to Yaoundé, Cameroon, where they met various Cameroonian ministers to discuss wide range of opportunities aimed at expanding economic ties.
The UAE minister conveyed the country’s leadership’s greetings to Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, wishing Cameroon and its people peace, prosperity, and progress. The visit by Al Zeyoudi is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to significantly strengthen bilateral relations with high-growth African economies.
As part of the UAE-Cameroon Trade and Investment Day, Al Zeyoudi participated in meetings focused on exploring avenues for collaboration across various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, finance, and telecommunications.
Al Zeyoudi engaged with numerous ministers, including Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development; Gaston Eloundou Essomba, Minister of Water and Energy; Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibehe, Minister of Transport; Luc-Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Minister of Trade; Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development; and Minette Libom Lu Likeng, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
The discussions highlighted the wealth of opportunities available for increased trade and investment flows between the two nations, emphasizing the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships that can accelerate economic growth.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
“This visit demonstrates the vast potential for growth in our economic relationship with Cameroon. By harnessing our combined strengths and resources, we can unlock extraordinary opportunities for both nations. The UAE is committed to being a reliable partner for sustainable development in Cameroon, and we believe that our collaboration will yield significant mutual benefits across multiple sectors.”
The visit underscored the rapid growth in UAE-Cameroon economic ties. Bilateral non-oil trade exceeded $1.24 billion in 2024, up 2 percent year-on-year and 116 percent compared to 2022. Non-oil trade reached $1.14 billion in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 25.4 percent year-on-year increase.
Growing private sector engagement is enabling long-term partnerships, with the UAE investing in critical infrastructure and leveraging Cameroon’s role as a gateway to Central Africa. Under its foreign trade agenda and CEPA program, the UAE is deepening ties with Africa. Non-oil trade with the continent reached $112 billion in 2024, up 34 percent year-on-year, while UAE investments have exceeded $110 billion since 2019, underscoring its commitment to sustainable growth.
