Yaoundé and the European Union have launched a new financial mechanism aimed at easing access to bank credit for Cameroonian small and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative, unveiled as part of the Economic Development Support Project through Value Chain Promotion and Private Initiative (PAD-CV), is set to mobilize up to 30 billion CFA francs in bank loans, backed by a 6 billion CFA francs financial facility.

The program operates with a total budget of 9.8 billion CFA francs. Unlike direct disbursements, the 6 billion CFA francs guarantee will support local banks in extending loans to eligible project holders. The remaining funds will finance technical assistance and capacity-building measures for entrepreneurs.

The process begins with an open call for proposals launched on July 15, accessible via the dedicated platform at www.padcv-cm.net. This call will remain open for three months, during which submitted projects will undergo rigorous evaluation. Successful applicants will receive tailored support, including financial diagnostics and business plan refinement, to ensure their proposals meet bank lending criteria. The ultimate goal is to present fully “bankable” dossiers to financial institutions.

The initiative targets a wide range of entities, including micro-enterprises, SMEs, startups, cooperatives, communal initiative groups (GICs), producer organizations, and digital-focused clusters and incubators. A special emphasis will be placed on enterprises led by women and young entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive economic growth.