A landmark meeting in early July 2026 between Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, and Algerian Ambassador Abdallah Boukemmache—accompanied by Abdel Khemane, CEO of Algeria’s state-owned MADAR Holding—has set the stage for a major leap in bilateral economic cooperation.

MADAR Holding, Algeria’s second-largest economic group with over 6,000 employees across 11 subsidiaries and 14 investments, plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy. It dominates sectors such as tobacco, automotive components, and agro-industry, and stands as Algeria’s top importer of bananas and coffee. This positions the Holding as a strategic partner in Cameroon’s push to diversify its export markets and attract foreign investment.

During the meeting, Abdel Khemane outlined a clear vision: « My recent visit to Cameroon is focused on identifying concrete ways to deepen economic ties with Cameroonian businesses. This includes importing key Cameroonian products like bananas and coffee, as well as making substantial investments in these and other sectors, in line with the priorities set by Cameroonian authorities. The financial strength of MADAR Holding enables us to act decisively in this partnership. » He emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation, a principle shared by both nations.

New momentum in Cameroon-Algeria trade relations

The foundations of Cameroon-Algeria relations have long been strong across political, economic, and commercial spheres. Now, they are poised for a significant boost with the upcoming fifth session of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, scheduled to take place in Yaoundé. Ambassador Boukemmache highlighted the progress being made: « We are currently finalizing over 15 agreements spanning multiple economic sectors. But this visit goes beyond signing agreements—we are here with the CEO of MADAR Holding to turn these commitments into action. Our goal is to enhance and consolidate trade flows between our two countries by increasing imports from Cameroon, investing in Cameroonian industries, and fostering mutual growth. »

Recent indicators reflect this positive trend. Weekly flights between Algiers and Douala have increased to four, and Algerian consular services in Yaoundé have issued over 150% more visas. Most notably, Cameroonian exports to Algeria surged by over 107% between 2023 and 2024.

Expanding trade beyond bananas and coffee

While bananas and coffee remain central to current negotiations, Cameroon’s Minister of Trade used the meeting to highlight additional high-potential sectors. He presented opportunities in cocoa and cotton to the Algerian delegation. In response, Abdel Khemane confirmed that MADAR Holding is not only ready to import these products from Cameroon but also to invest in local processing facilities, aligning with Algeria’s strategy to enhance value addition.

Two key working sessions are scheduled in Douala on July 9, 2026—one with the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) and the Interprofessional Cocoa and Coffee Council (CICC) regarding coffee, and another with the Haut Penja Plantations (PHP) for banana trade. The Algerian delegation expressed a strong desire for exports to commence immediately, with minimal procedural delays.

The visit concluded with an announcement from Ambassador Boukemmache about an upcoming business forum in Cameroon. This high-profile event, led by the President of Algeria’s Employers’ Federation, will bring a large delegation of Algerian business leaders to Cameroon. It is designed to further solidify the partnership and translate bilateral intentions into tangible outcomes, offering promising prospects for Cameroonian economic operators.