Transforming local agriculture into continental opportunity

The agro-processing plant in Bangou, developed by META INVEST under the Denky brand, was officially launched in the presence of the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, and a diverse audience of officials, business leaders, and local communities.

Built on a three-hectare plot provided by the Cameroonian government, this facility specializes in processing maize, potatoes, and locally grown fruits, with an annual capacity of 5,200 tons and a product range spanning five essential consumer goods. The project’s visionary, Lisette Claudia Tame Soumedjong, aims not only to supply all 360 districts of Cameroon but also to penetrate markets across West Africa and beyond through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The initiative is expected to generate over 100 direct jobs and nearly 450 indirect employment opportunities, reinforcing the region’s economic resilience.

A proven track record in agro-industrial development

Lisette Claudia Tame Soumedjong brings extensive experience to this project. The Bangou plant is the third major agro-processing facility she has launched in recent years, following the cocoa processing plant in Mbankomo (near Yaoundé), inaugurated in January 2025, and the facility in Dimako (East Region), opened in November 2025. These ventures reflect a consistent commitment to adding value to Cameroon’s agricultural raw materials.

Aligning with national economic transformation goals

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana emphasized that the Bangou plant embodies the government’s strategy to industrialize the country by promoting local processing of agricultural products. This approach supports both import substitution and strategic territorial development—key pillars of the national development agenda led by President Paul Biya.

The Minister also highlighted the facility’s strategic importance in the context of the AfCFTA, which transforms Africa—home to 1.3 billion people—into a unified market larger than the European Union or the United States. This integration offers unprecedented opportunities for Cameroonian products to reach consumers continent-wide, reinforcing the country’s position in regional trade.

Beyond economic expansion, the project is expected to stimulate regional agricultural production, create jobs for youth to curb rural exodus, provide vocational training, foster wealth distribution, and enhance the visibility of Made in Cameroon products.