Cameroon plans nationwide business matchmaking for SMEs as new registrations fall

Cameroon's SMEs ministry and the employers' association GECAM, meeting in Douala on 4 November, are preparing nationwide business matchmaking for Global Entrepreneurship Week from 16 to 22 November. New SME registrations fell to 16,845 in 2025 from 21,132 in 2024, and new SME loans carried an average rate of 11.85% in the first quarter of 2026 against 7.59% for large companies.

Why it matters

Small firms pay far more to borrow than large ones, so links to big buyers are one of the few levers left.

Source: Business in Cameroon · 6 November 2026

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