(LVDE) – A convention under the private investment incentives regime was signed on October 8, 2025, in Yaoundé between the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Promotion Agency (APME) and ETS Onna Bambous Valorization. This agreement aims to support an ambitious bamboo processing project designed to boost the local economy and generate thousands of jobs.
On October 8, 2025, a significant milestone was reached in Yaoundé with the signing of an investment agreement between the APME and ETS Onna Bambous Valorization. Jean Marie Louis Badga, Director General of APME, formalized this partnership with the company’s executives, marking the start of an innovative project dedicated to the processing and utilization of bamboo — a local resource still largely underexploited in Cameroon.
Backed by in-depth feasibility studies, the project highlights the substantial economic potential of bamboo. Often referred to as “green gold,” bamboo is known for its wide range of applications, from construction to household utensils. ETS Onna Bambous Valorization plans to gradually establish six industrial units in the Littoral, Centre, and East regions to produce a diverse range of high-value-added bamboo products. These will include toothpicks, water pipes, paneling, household charcoal, as well as clothing and packaging materials.
Valued at over CFA 811 million, the project is expected to create 111 direct jobs and generate more than 700 indirect ones — underscoring its potential impact on the local economy. During the signing ceremony, Jean Marie Louis Badga emphasized that this agreement opens access to several fiscal and administrative incentives for the company, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting such initiatives. “You are creators of wealth and employment, and you have our full support,” he declared.
APME also advised ETS Onna Bambous Valorization to take advantage of the services offered by the Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNCC) to facilitate import and export operations. This collaboration seeks to streamline port and airport logistics, which are crucial for the company’s success.
The APME Director General further stressed the importance of complying with the obligations tied to the convention, including the implementation of the investment programs, the promotion of local raw materials, and the priority use of Cameroonian labor. He also called for the submission of an annual activity report and the payment of an annual fee to ensure transparency and monitoring of the commitments made.
This latest signing brings the total number of investment agreements concluded by APME to 70 since the delegation of authority granted by the 2017 law. In 2025 alone, this marks the twelfth agreement, illustrating growing momentum in the SME sector. Collectively, these conventions are expected to generate CFA 155.5 billion in investments and create an estimated 10,930 direct jobs.
This project represents not only a key opportunity for Cameroon’s economic development but also a means to enhance the value of local resources and reduce dependence on imports. By producing everyday items such as toothpicks locally, the country could move away from its image as an importer of basic consumer goods while strengthening its domestic economy.
Esther Grace
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