PIPRA Cameroun S.A.
Accelerating “Made in Cameroon” exports: PIPRA Cameroun S.A. and Afro Exo Distribution develop a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Trade
As part of its mission to promote and facilitate international trade, PIPRA Cameroun SA is taking another decisive step. At the initiative of its Chairman of the Board, a leading technical working session was held at the Ministry of Trade (MINCOMMERCE) headquarters on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
This high-level meeting, chaired by the Head of the Division of Projects and Statistics and attended notably by the Directorate of Foreign Trade, brought together the ministry’s technical teams and the leaders of Afro Exo Distribution, PIPRA Cameroun SA’s strategic partner.
The stakes were considerable: removing the logistical and structural bottlenecks affecting exports of local products, and accelerating the establishment of the Camtrade Pass shop in Île-de-France, France — a future showcase for Cameroonian ingenuity in the European market.
Camtrade Pass: a trade bridge between Cameroon and Europe
This working session follows the partnership agreement recently signed between PIPRA Cameroun SA and Africa Evergreen Corporation, the French sister company of Afro Exo Distribution. This major partnership aims to roll out the Camtrade Pass concept in the Paris region.
Designed as a leading technological, financial, physical and logistical platform, Camtrade Pass puts the Cameroon–European Union Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) into practice. The aim is to offer Cameroonian craftspeople, cooperatives and agri-food SMEs direct, simplified access that complies with the demanding requirements of the European market.
However, efficient local logistics and stronger production chains are essential prerequisites for supplying this export corridor effectively. This was the purpose of the case strongly put forward by Afro Exo Distribution during the working session.
Challenges on the ground: advocating effective port logistics
A major player in processing and promoting local products for two decades, Afro Exo Distribution shared with MINCOMMERCE officials the practical and sometimes critical realities faced by exporters on the ground.
Two major difficulties were brought to the public authorities’ attention:
- Congestion and port decisions in Douala: the company described the critical case of a 40-foot container carrying cassava flour and local drinks, held at the quay for more than six weeks. The blockage, initially caused by technical disputes over scanning and then by unannounced deprioritisation by shipping companies, had already consumed 25% of the products’ commercial shelf life.
- The shortage of refrigerated containers (reefers): with no 40-foot refrigerated containers available for more than a month, exports of fresh products in high demand in Europe — sweet potato leaves, cassava leaves and chillies — had stalled, causing an estimated loss of more than 30% of monthly revenue in this segment.
Facing these urgent problems, Afro Exo and PIPRA Cameroun SA requested regulatory intervention from the ministry to streamline inspections and ensure local operators receive fair treatment in dealings with major shipping companies.
Fifteen recommendations to organise the “Vert-Manioc” and agri-food sector
Beyond urgent logistical issues, a comprehensive plan to organise the sector was presented to lay the foundations for lasting competitiveness. This ambitious case centred on strong proposals:
- Securing agricultural supply: creating a Structured Collection Programme (PCS) and supervised contracting with cooperatives to limit post-harvest losses and stabilise prices.
- Tax and customs relief: VAT exemptions on processing equipment and temporary duty-free admission to modernise local industrial capacity.
- Support for competitiveness and conformity: creating “Priority Agri-Food Export Company” status, establishing a one-stop “Processed Agri-Food Export” service, and reducing export duties on products with high added value.
- Traceability and standards: support for international certification for EU and US markets and deployment of a digital traceability platform, now essential in Western markets.
An attentive response and firm commitments for the future
The Ministry of Trade delegation was particularly receptive to the relevance and rigour of these proposals. Welcoming the practical solutions put forward by PIPRA Cameroun SA and Afro Exo Distribution, ministry officials reaffirmed the State’s intention to fulfil its role as facilitator and regulator.
This technical working session produced promising commitments:
- Accelerating consultation frameworks to rapidly upgrade local producers’ capabilities.
- Initiating interministerial discussion on mitigating logistical risks at the Port of Douala.
- Rigorous joint monitoring to ensure these improvement measures are effectively implemented.
Expressing mutual satisfaction with the constructive atmosphere throughout the discussions, the stakeholders reiterated their optimism about quickly achieving the agreed objectives. For PIPRA Cameroun SA, this milestone reinforces its position as an industrial accelerator and preferred partner for Cameroonian SMEs seeking international expansion.
The course is now set for Île-de-France, where Camtrade Pass is preparing to showcase “African excellence, naturally”.
About PIPRA Cameroun SA: a public limited company committed to supporting businesses, organising industrial development and facilitating trade between Cameroon and the rest of the world.
