africa

Below are some excerpts from the interview given to Vita by the former Italian ambassador to Cameroon Samuela Isopi which you can read in full on VITA, if you want at the end of the article you will also find the video of the statements by Italian President Sergio Mattarella

Below is an excerpt to better understand the opportunities that Italian entrepreneurs have both economically and strategically.

Let me remind you that Cameroon is a country in a strategic position, with duty-free access to as many as 40 African countries (point Franco).

Dr. Samuela Isopi he says: During President Mattarella's visit in 2016, his Cameroonian counterpart asked us to strengthen economic cooperation between Italy and Cameroon, which is the condition sine qua non development of the local private sector and the ability to attract new foreign investors. With this mission, we want to facilitate a meeting between the Cameroonian and Italian private sectors and convince our country's entrepreneurs to invest in this country, despite the problems that exist.

Cameroon, like I believe the rest of Africa, needs more trade, more economy, to create jobs for young people and generate income. Development cooperation alone is not enough and should be more oriented towards the development of the economy, through support for private enterprise, capacity building

human resources and the transfer of know-how. These are the two things the Cameroonians have been asking for: more enterprise and more quality training on the ground. Not more aid.

Indeed, Cameroon is often criticised for its lack of good governance and widespread corruption. How to convince entrepreneurs to invest in a country with such untapped potential?