PROMOTE 2026 : Switzerland showcases its industrial expertise and deepens its economic footprint in Cameroon
(LVDE) – In Yaoundé, on 12 June 2026, Switzerland made a coordinated economic statement at the 10th edition of the PROMOTE International Business and SME Fair. The Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Natalie Kohli, and Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, H.E. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, jointly inaugurated the Swiss Village at the Palais des Congrès. Held in the presence of institutional and business stakeholders, the ceremony reflects a strategy focused on innovation, investment facilitation and the consolidation of economic partnerships between Switzerland and Cameroon amid a broader push for diversified international trade relations.
Esther Grâce 
H.E. Mrs. Natalie Kohli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Cameroon, cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the official opening of the Swiss Village at PROMOTE 2026.
Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition among investment destinations, trade fairs have become central instruments of economic diplomacy. PROMOTE 2026 illustrates this shift, positioning itself as a strategic convergence point for governments, investors and private operators seeking growth opportunities in Central Africa.
Switzerland’s participation is part of a structured economic outreach strategy rather than a symbolic presence. From the opening day, the Swiss Village was officially launched by Ambassador Natalie Kohli alongside Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, with the participation of Andreas Schweizer, President of the Inter-Progress Foundation, organiser of the event. The joint appearance underscored a growing alignment between public and private stakeholders from both countries.
Designed as a showcase of Swiss industrial and technological expertise, the Swiss Village brings together companies operating in high value-added sectors, including industrial technologies, engineering solutions, financial services, agro-industry and sustainable innovation. The ambition is to facilitate direct business-to-business engagement and accelerate the emergence of structured partnerships with local and regional operators.
Beyond commercial exchanges, the initiative reflects a broader economic cooperation philosophy. Switzerland is seeking to deepen its footprint in emerging African markets through a model grounded in skills transfer, innovation-driven growth and sustainability. For Cameroon, the objective is to leverage these partnerships to strengthen industrial capabilities and accelerate the modernization of its productive base.
Complementing the Swiss Village, the Swiss Pavilion located in the main hall of the Palais des Congrès offers an interactive platform dedicated to investment information, business opportunities and institutional networking. It also hosts targeted engagement activities designed to enhance visitor participation and encourage direct dialogue between Swiss and Cameroonian economic actors.
Together, these two platforms form an integrated visibility and cooperation hub within PROMOTE 2026. They provide a structured environment for showcasing ongoing projects, identifying new investment opportunities and reinforcing links between public institutions and private sector operators.
In this configuration, PROMOTE 2026 confirms its role as a regional catalyst for investment flows. Switzerland’s presence, both diversified and strategically coordinated, highlights an increasingly results-oriented approach to economic diplomacy—one centred on long-term partnerships, knowledge exchange and shared value creation between Switzerland and Cameroon.
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