World Bank Unveils New CPF for Cameroon Focused on Jobs, Service Delivery, and Climate Resilience

The new framework supports Cameroon’s Vision 2035, which envisions the country as “an emerging, democratic, and unified nation in its diversity.”

The World Bank Group (WBG) has launched a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Cameroon, set for the fiscal years 2025-2029. The CPF aims to achieve two major outcomes: creating more and better jobs and enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of service delivery institutions, with a focus on climate resilience and addressing fragility.

The new framework supports Cameroon’s Vision 2035, which envisions the country as “an emerging, democratic, and unified nation in its diversity.” It is designed to lay the groundwork for economic transformation that benefits all citizens.

Cheick F. Kanté, World Bank Country Director for Cameroon, highlighted the importance of the framework, stating, “We recognize Cameroon’s leading role in regional stability and economic growth. Our focus is on creating more and better jobs, especially for the youth, to improve living conditions and maintain social cohesion.”

The CPF reflects the growing partnership between Cameroon and the WBG’s institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). Over the CPF period, the WBG aims to deliver more than $2 billion, supplementing the existing country portfolio of $4.2 billion.

Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central and Anglophone West Africa, emphasized the role of the private sector, saying, “The private sector is crucial for expanding renewable energy, boosting agricultural productivity, bridging infrastructure gaps, and financing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Cameroon. IFC is committed to helping the Cameroonian private sector achieve its full potential.”

The CPF also highlights the need to bolster Cameroon’s climate resilience and address drivers of fragility. Key objectives include improving major corridor connectivity to boost productivity and enhance public service delivery, with a focus on promoting gender equality throughout the CPF period.

Şebnem Erol Madan, MIGA Director of Economics & Sustainability, noted, “The WBG will build on its track record of mobilizing private finance and foreign direct investment in various sectors, supporting inclusive and resilient development in Cameroon. This effort will be reinforced by ongoing collaboration between the WBG institutions and the use of the WBG Guarantee Platform housed in MIGA.”

Aligned with the WBG’s strategic goals, the CPF is designed to achieve impactful outcomes, address global challenges, and mobilize private capital. In preparing the framework, the WBG consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, think tanks, academia, and other development partners.