Interview with President of the CCIMC with Diaspora Magazine

Diaspora Magazine: Can we have an idea about what the missions of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce are?  

Hon. Christophe Eken: I will first of all like to thank Diaspora Magazine for this great initiative to open the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CCIMC) to the public to know much about what we offer in terms of trade promotion. 

The CCIMC is close to a one hundred years old. We shall be celebrating its centenary in 2021. Since its creation, the Chamber has kept to its missions which are predominantly oriented toward helping stakeholders, be they national or international, to develop their businesses. In effect, the CCIMC is a consultative and representative body in the areas of trade, industry, mines and crafts. We therefore have the arduous task of developing important activities centred on the promotion of industrial and commercial activities. That is effectively what we have stood for and are doing. In the area of economic promotion for example, the Chamber conducts periodic statistical surveys, organize seminars to upgrade skills, provide credible information to business persons and support firms, especially start-ups to gain access to markets, organise trade missions and other promotional events to encourage efforts at business creation sustenance and poverty alleviation. In a nutshell, the CCIMC provides what it takes for both the public and private sectors to build Cameroon’s economy. These essentially are the missions conferred on our institution with one of our most valued partners being Nigeria.

You talk of Nigeria being a very important trading partner with Cameroon. What would be your assessment of trade relations between both countries this far?

It is important to mention that Cameroon and Nigeria share a common border of nearly 1,700km, enjoy strong historical and cultural ties and very strategic economic relations since independence. Both governments are aware of these opportunities and there is high-level commitment to moving forward and taking advantage of the new atmosphere of cooperation amid the ever changing, competing and challenging world economic order. It is interesting to note that majority of the over three million Nigerians living in Cameroon own and run businesses especially Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have significantly contributed to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

In terms of cross border trade, Nigeria exports more than 213.000 metric tons of non-oil products to Cameroon valued at about CFA 367.735 billion FRS annually. About 40 percent of this amount accrues from products made in Nigeria.

On the other hand, Cameroon exports about 160.000 metric tons of mostly agricultural goods annually to Nigeria valued at about CFA 108,083 billion FRS. Almost 65 percent of that amount is generated from products made in Cameroon. These figure on cross border trade between Cameroon and Nigeria may be far higher given huge quantities of goods that pass through large swaths of the porous borders. We are however comforted that with improved ties between both countries, the situation is greatly improving. Nigeria’s strategic and leadership positions in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and ours in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) are comforting pointers to huge economic fallouts for our peoples. The CCIMC is putting in its modest contribution to develop profitable business partnerships and source out new markets and opportunities. We have been organising systematic business meetings with our Nigerian counterparts to try to boost mutual trade. We are optimistic things will improve.

Does the CCIMC end at the level of Business Meetings or are there other instruments to galvanise trade between Cameroon and Nigeria? 

Hon. Christophe Eken: Of course, we have all options on the table. You must not forget that international business today is driven by agreements to ensure the respect of norms and quality. Cameroon is party to several of such trade agreements. At the bilateral level, the government of Cameroon in 2015 signed a trade agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The agreement required both parties to take all necessary measures to promote trade, and strengthen economic cooperation in accordance with the domestic laws in force in each county. On the heels of that agreement, that is, in 2013, the government of Cameroon came out with a number of incentives to attract foreign investments. Apart from the agreement I just made mention of, there is the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission that holds periodically to review trade ties between both countries. 

Based on these instruments, the CCIMC keeps working closely with its Nigerian counterparts to make sure both sides are provided with opportunities and information on the creation and management of businesses. I would like to precise that such partnership agreements are monitored, managed and implemented at the level of the various trade Chambers which are an integral part of the international system. 

Do not also forget that these bilateral agreements work within the ambits of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the African Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). Both platforms militate toward the free flow of goods with respect to agreed standards. In this light therefore, the Norms and Quality Agency (NAFDAC) in Nigeria and the Standards and Quality Agency (ANOR) in Cameroon are inseparable bed partners who must work together in order to get products from both countries approved for consumption. Such controls would improve the standards of small scale businesses in both countries.

DM: What makes you feel Cameroon and Nigeria can be good partners in economic development?

Hon. Christophe Eken: Cameroon has extensive fertile land with just about 25 percent being exploited and Nigeria has a huge market of over a hundred and fifty million people. These are all indications that both countries can spark off a trade revolution which can, to the best of my assessment, come through an agricultural revolution. The CCIMC has created the Pilot Incubation Centre (PIC) to transform cassava. In the long term, the project will extend to other agricultural products that would be able to penetrate the Nigerian market. We have had the opportunity to meet with several Nigerian companies in Cameroon with a huge interest in agro-industrial transformation even though other sectors such as cement production, banking, hydro carbons, automobile spare parts, etc., are firmly on the ground. These are signs that relations between Cameroon and Nigeria are excellent. 

However, while we pride ourselves with the excellent trade relations Cameroon and Nigeria enjoy today, a lot needs to be done. Governments on both sides must ensure only best policies are put in place to boost mutual economic ties and facilitate investment. The widening gap between the private and public sectors must be bridged and good communication (road and telephone) networks established between both nations. There must also be a proper policing of the porous borders to avoid contraband and piracy which are all impediments to SMEs on both sides. 

In a nutshell, both Cameroon and Nigerian stand to gain from each other if only the appropriate instruments and policies are laid out to raise the standards and quality of bilateral relations.