(Business in Cameroon) - On May 5, 2021, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute signed a decree canceling the incorporation of over 66,000 hectares of land located in the Ntem Valley, in the Southern region, into the state private domain. This decision marks the end of the industrial cocoa plantation and agribusiness technopole (PAC) projects proposed by Neo Industry and First Development Mission (FDM). At least, they will no longer be implemented on the lands set up for these purposes.
In the present interview, Samuel Nguiffo, secretary-general of the Center for Development and the Environment (CED Cameroon), which protects the rights of local and indigenous communities in the Central African region, presents the lessons to be learned from the government’s decision and suggests measures that could ensure a peaceful implementation of agribusiness projects in local communities.