This article covers India's development partnership with Cameroon and the links between the two peoples: Lines of Credit and loans, a project under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a triangular project, training and scholarships, cultural activities and the Indian community in Cameroon. The brief has too little cultural and community material for a separate article, so those subjects are included here. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of February 2025.

Lines of Credit and loans

According to the MEA brief of February 2025, the following credit has been extended for projects in Cameroon:

  • Rice and maize: in May 2009, a $ 37.65 million Indian Line of Credit (LoC) funding one project each for rice and maize farm plantation was operationalised. The project was completed in 2017.
  • Cassava: a US$ 42 million LoC for purchasing agricultural machinery and equipment from India for the Cassava Plantation Project. Mr. Emmanuel Nganou Dogmas, Minister for Economy & Planning, and Mrs. Bankang Mbock Catherine, Minister of Social Welfare, visited India on September 12-16, 2012 for its signing, and the machinery was supplied to Cameroon in 2024.
  • Power transmission: during a visit to New Delhi from 29 January to 4 February 2017 by Mr. Louis Paul Motaze, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Cameroon signed a commercial loan agreement with Exim Bank of India worth USD 93.50 million for the 225 kV Nkongsamba-Bafoussam and Yaounde-AbongMbang transmission line. It was funded through the Buyers' Credit Scheme under the National Export Insurance Account (BC-NEIA). The project was awarded to the Indian company Kalpataru in November 2019, completed, and handed over to the Government of Cameroon in November 2022.

Earlier, in 2007, the Government of India gifted 60 tractors and agricultural implements to the Government of Cameroon.

India-UN Development Partnership Fund

A project on Rural Household's Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Technologies was carried out in Cameroon's North and Far North regions with support from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. It was completed in December 2022 at a cost of US$ 1 million.

The brief states that the project has been considered a huge success, given that the area is remote and not easily accessible. It has impacted around 12,000 people and raised awareness of the environment in the region. Five "solar mamas" were trained at the Barefoot College in Dakar, Senegal, and now help maintain the equipment and train others.

Triangular cooperation

A Triangular Development Cooperation Pilot Project on Potato Seed Production through Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC) Technology was carried out in 2023. It involved GIZ (Germany), the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot (India) and IARD (Cameroon).

Health

An 8-member delegation of Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health officials, doctors and pharmacists visited India from October 3-5, 2016 to attend the conference Advantage Health Care India 2016, organised by FICCI in Noida, UP.

The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, attended the Health Ministers' session of the virtual Voice of Global South Summit on 13 January and delivered a message on cooperation to build a resilient health system.

Training and scholarships

India has supported Cameroon's capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program since 1964, and provides over 180 ITEC slots to Cameroon annually. Under the Africa Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), 3 slots have been allocated to Cameroon.

The brief notes that many students from Cameroon are choosing India for higher studies. It also states that tourism to India, especially medical tourism, is becoming very popular in Cameroon.

Cultural activities

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated every year since the Indian High Commission was established in September 2019. In December 2024, the High Commission celebrated the first World Meditation Day in association with the UNESCO Office.

The brief states that Indian movies continue to be popular in Cameroon, and that regular screenings are organised in theatres. Ms. Divya Raturi, a Kathak exponent, performed at the Republic Day 2025 celebrations. Troupes from Cameroon are regularly sponsored to take part in the Surajkund Craft Mela in India.

The Indian community in Cameroon

As of the brief, there are about 1200 Indian expatriates in Cameroon, whom the brief describes as contributing actively in social and economic life. The Honorary Consul of India in Douala, a member of the community, is mentioned in the practical article.