From London to Antigua and Barbuda: advancing structured diaspora participation in Cameroon’s investment and development agenda
London, United Kingdom | September 2026
The Cameroonian Diaspora Investment Council (CDIC) participated in a high-level ministerial and investment roundtable held at Marlborough House in London, bringing together representatives of the Government of Cameroon, business and investment leaders, development partners and other stakeholders.
The engagement formed part of the Cameroon Market Sounding hosted with the support of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and focused on Cameroon’s investment priorities, economic reforms, sustainable finance and the mobilisation of private capital for national development.
The Government delegation was led by H.E. Louis Paul Motaze, Minister of Finance, and included senior representatives from the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, the Ministry of External Relations, the Treasury, the Autonomous Sinking Fund, the Ministry of Environment and other public institutions. Cameroon’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Albert Njoteh Fotabong, also participated in the engagement.
A Practical Discussion on Investment and the Diaspora
For CDIC, the London meeting provided an important opportunity to discuss how the Cameroonian diaspora can participate more effectively in the country’s investment and development agenda.
A key issue raised during the discussions was the challenge Government faces in engaging with the large number of individual diaspora organisations and groups operating around the world.
CDIC believes this is precisely where a structured global council can add value.
CDIC currently has members across 18 countries and operates a digital platform designed to connect Cameroonians and friends of Cameroon worldwide. Rather than Government having to communicate separately with numerous individual diaspora groups, CDIC can provide an organised channel through which relevant information, investment opportunities, programmes and institutional communications can reach a wider diaspora network.
The Council can equally gather feedback, expressions of interest, professional expertise and investor interest from its members and channel them through the appropriate institutions in Cameroon.
The objective is not to replace existing Government institutions, but to strengthen the connection between those institutions and the global Cameroonian diaspora
Investment Opportunities Presented by Government
One of the most important outcomes of the London engagement was the presentation of a structured pipeline of investment opportunities being developed by the Government of Cameroon.
The Government presentation identified opportunities across six major sectors: energy; transport and logistics; agro-industry; mining and heavy industry; health and pharmaceuticals; and water and sanitation.
Projects and opportunities discussed included hydropower and solar energy, transport corridors and port infrastructure, agro-industrial processing, mining and industrial development, pharmaceutical production, and water infrastructure. The Government indicated that a national register of sustainable assets is being structured to classify projects according to their maturity and development impact.
This is particularly relevant to CDIC members interested in investment, project development, technical partnerships and professional participation.
As CDIC receives the appropriate project information and documentation through the relevant Government channels, suitable opportunities will be communicated to Council members and made accessible through the CDIC membership dashboard.
This will allow members to review opportunities from their accounts and express interest through a more structured process.
Working With Cameroon’s Existing Investment Institutions
The London discussions also reinforced the importance of working through established Government institutions rather than creating parallel structures.
Cameroon already has its investment promotion framework, including the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA), which serves investors and supports investment facilitation.
CDIC will therefore seek discussions with the Investment Promotion Agency with a view to establishing an appropriate partnership framework.
Such cooperation could create a practical bridge between the IPA and CDIC’s international diaspora network, helping prospective diaspora investors identify the appropriate institutional channels, understand procedures and obtain guidance when pursuing legitimate investments in Cameroon.
CDIC’s proposed role would remain one of diaspora mobilisation, communication, orientation and facilitation, while investment approvals and other statutory responsibilities remain with the competent Government institutions.
This approach reflects CDIC’s broader principle that effective diaspora engagement should strengthen existing institutions rather than duplicate them.
Strengthening Links With Cameroon’s Diplomatic Missions
Following the London engagement, CDIC has also formally written to the Minister of External Relations to explore opportunities for closer cooperation with Cameroon’s embassies and diplomatic missions around the world.
With CDIC now represented by members across 18 countries, Cameroon’s diplomatic network can play an important role in strengthening connections between the Council, diaspora communities and national institutions.
CDIC is seeking a framework that can support information sharing, diaspora outreach, investment promotion, professional networking and appropriate institutional engagement in countries where the Council has a growing membership.
The objective is to build a coordinated relationship in which CDIC’s digital platform and international membership network can complement the work of Cameroon’s diplomatic missions.
From London to Antigua and Barbuda
The London meeting was not intended to be an isolated event.
The Government of Cameroon’s own market-sounding programme identifies a clear follow-up process moving from the London discussions towards bilateral engagement, project preparation and the Commonwealth Business Forum and CHOGM programme in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
CDIC is therefore preparing for the next Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council engagement in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Commonwealth Business Forum will take place from 2–4 November 2026, with registration and related activities beginning on 1 November. The programme will bring together government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers from across the Commonwealth.
The programme is particularly relevant to CDIC’s work. Discussions will cover investment finance, investment-ready economies, smart cities, energy and strategic infrastructure, skills, SME finance, health investment, supply chains, technology, regional cooperation and other areas directly connected to investment and economic development.
Of particular importance is the Commonwealth Leaders’ Investment Summit, alongside sessions designed to showcase investment-ready projects to an international audience.
Invitation to CDIC Council Members
DIC is inviting Council members who have a serious interest in investment, business, project development, finance, infrastructure, energy, technology, entrepreneurship or international partnerships and who may wish to accompany the CDIC leadership delegation to Antigua and Barbuda to contact the Council.
Participation will provide interested members with an opportunity to engage within a wider Commonwealth business environment, develop professional relationships and better understand emerging investment and partnership opportunities.
Members interested in joining the CDIC delegation should contact the Council for further information regarding participation and arrangements.
Turning Engagement Into Results
The London roundtable was an important step in strengthening dialogue between Cameroon, international partners and the diaspora.
For CDIC, however, participation in high-level meetings is not an end in itself.
The priority now is follow-up.
CDIC will continue discussions with relevant Government institutions, pursue engagement with the Investment Promotion Agency, strengthen dialogue with the Ministry of External Relations and Cameroon’s diplomatic missions, and establish practical channels through which credible Government investment opportunities can reach interested members of the diaspora.
The Government’s London presentation itself placed emphasis on moving from engagement to execution, with post-event action, bilateral follow-up, project preparation and the Antigua and Barbuda meetings forming part of that process.
For CDIC, this is also the direction ahead: moving from connections and discussions towards structured partnerships, credible opportunities and measurable outcomes.
The Cameroonian diaspora represents more than remittances. It represents capital, professional expertise, entrepreneurship, international networks and a continuing commitment to Cameroon. CDIC’s role is to help organise those strengths and connect them with credible opportunities and the appropriate institutions.
From London to Antigua and Barbuda — CDIC will continue working to ensure that the Cameroonian diaspora has a structured place in Cameroon’s investment and development journey.
Cameroonian Diaspora Investment Council (CDIC)
Uniting the Diaspora. Building the Nation.