Cameroonian businesses operating in the cocoa, timber and cassava value chains have until August 21 to apply for technical assistance under an EU-funded program aimed at improving the competitiveness of small businesses and expanding their access to regional and international markets.

The call targets legally registered and operational businesses in member states of the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS. Eligible applicants include producers, processors, exporters, cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises, professional organizations and other businesses operating in the three targeted value chains.

According to information published by the European Union in Cameroon, the call is part of the Programme for Trade Competitiveness and Market Access in Central Africa, known as ATCMA-ECCAS. The program is financed by the European Union and jointly implemented by the International Trade Centre, ITC, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO. ITC says the broader ATCMA initiative seeks to improve the trade competitiveness of African SMEs and their access to African and European Union markets.

Selected companies could receive business assessments and support in preparing modernization plans. Assistance may also cover digitalization, improved production processes, technical training and coaching. Companies could receive additional support on quality assurance, certification, traceability and sustainable production practices, as well as export development and participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and business-to-business meetings.

Applicants must be legally registered in an ECCAS member state, currently operational and active in the cocoa, cassava or timber value chain. They must also be seeking to improve their competitiveness and expand their commercial activities.

The program comes as access to finance remains a major constraint for businesses in Cameroon. In the World Bank’s 2024 Enterprise Survey, 28.8% of the 615 establishments surveyed identified access to finance as their biggest operational obstacle. Some 44.4% reported having neither a loan nor a line of credit from a financial institution. Among businesses that did not apply for new financing, collateral requirements, interest rates and complex application procedures were among the reasons cited.

The ATCMA call focuses on technical rather than direct financial assistance, covering areas such as production upgrades, quality compliance, digitalization and export development.

Mercy Fosoh