CFC Explores Strengthened Cooperation with Cameroon in Smallholders Development
The Hague, 6 February 2026 – Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ms. Madeleine Liguemoh Ondoua, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cameroon to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The meeting explored opportunities to enhance collaboration between the CFC and Cameroon in promoting sustainable commodity development, resilient livelihoods, and inclusive value chains. Both sides discussed the potential for a forthcoming official visit by the Managing Director to Cameroon to engage with government institutions, private sector actors, and local cooperatives to deepen technical cooperation and market access initiatives.
Ambassador Belal shared insights on the CFC’s mandate to promote value addition at origin, emphasizing how such interventions can increase farmers’ incomes, support environmental sustainability, and de-risk commodity investments. He highlighted ongoing efforts under the CFC’s Commodity Strategy, which integrates technical assistance, market development, and risk-mitigation measures to support smallholder producers across Africa and beyond.
During the discussion, Ambassador Belal presented examples of successful CFC-supported projects, illustrating how targeted technical assistance and community-driven investments have transformed livelihoods. He underscored the importance of leveraging innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships to scale these initiatives and attract further investment into Cameroon’s agricultural sector.
H.E. Ambassador Ondoua welcomed the visit and underscored Cameroon’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. She expressed interest in exploring collaborative initiatives that enhance market access for smallholders, strengthen local processing, and reduce investment risks, while fostering partnerships with private sector actors and development institutions.
Both parties agreed to maintain ongoing technical consultations and expressed optimism that the Managing Director’s upcoming visit to Cameroon would catalyze concrete investment and cooperation opportunities. H.E. Ambassador Ondoua extended a warm invitation to Ambassador Belal to visit Cameroon and engage with stakeholders on strategies to accelerate sustainable commodity development.
The discussion concluded with a shared commitment to humanizing the value chain, ensuring that smallholder farmers are empowered, fairly compensated, and actively included in shaping sustainable commodity markets.
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
The CFC is an UN-affiliated international financial institution based in Amsterdam, working in over 100 countries to support inclusive economic development through impact investing in commodity value chains.
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