New deal marks successful year for UK-Cameroon trade since new economic partnership agreement was signed
A £113 million finance package has been agreed with Cameroon to help UK businesses complete essential roadworks that will unlock the country’s economic potential.
UK trade with Cameroon is on the rise, with the value of trade between the two nations reaching £231 million at the end of 2021, up 40% on the previous year.
Today marks the first anniversary of the United Kingdom signing its Economic Partnership Agreement with Cameroon, ensuring that British and Cameroonian businesses could continue to trade freely without any additional tariffs or barriers.
The new deal underwritten by UK Export Finance (UKEF) will support the expansion of the Douala East Entrance Road, which connects the capital in Cameroon with vital trading ports.
When completed the expanded road will dramatically improve the transport of goods in Cameroon and strengthen economic ties with landlocked neighbours Chad and the Central African Republic.
Mike Freer MP, Minister for Exports, said:
UKEF will provide a mix of Buyer Credit and Direct Lending support worth £113 million (Euro 135 million) and the transaction was arranged by Standard Chartered Bank.
UKEF can help foreign countries with financial support to make their projects happen, if they commit to sourcing goods and services from the UK. This helps open new doors for world-class British suppliers to trade overseas.
International company Magil Construction will undertake the works on the Douala Road project with crucial assistance from the UK supply chain, which will support jobs and boost trade in the UK.
Magil has strong credentials in Cameroon, working on some of the largest projects in the country. They have recently completed the construction of the Douala Soccer Stadium used at the recent African Cup of Nations.
Ralph Tropea, Executive Advisor at Magil Construction, said:
Mustafa Sajjad Hussain, Executive Director, Structured Export Finance, Standard Chartered Bank, said:
UKEF has up to £2 billion available to support UK exports to Cameroon and can continue to back projects in Cameroon with its financial support.