Cameroon Consul General in Lagos, Bibi Manga Bell, and the Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Chinyere Almona, have called for closer ties between Nigeria and Cameroon.

The aim of the platform, according to the organisers, is to foster strong and sustainable business ties between Nigeria and Cameroon, while bridging the gap between Nigeria and Cameroon’s business communities, fostering collaboration and facilitating trade.

The project was initiated by Tayim Atam under the supervision of the consulate of Cameroon in Lagos.

Speaking on the launch of the platform, Bell said: “This is a platform where Cameroonian men and women will be meeting Nigerian businessmen and women to exchange ideas and do business.

“We invited the LCCI to show how important it is for us to work with local authorities in Nigeria. We are not here to interact with international companies, but to address our concerns directly and form a better relationship with Lagos State.”

We are to seek solution together; some of my compatriots are in Nigeria illegally. We have an agreement that a Nigerian can spend 90 days in Cameroon as well as a Cameroonian can spend 90 days in Nigeria without the need for visa and authorization, some of them are taking advantage of that and stay beyond the time stipulated so, we need to tell them the truth that they need to go back to Cameroon after 90 days and may return after a couple of weeks, this is good for business so, the solution is not far-fetch, we must use the framework we have and to do business in
Nigeria, the same thing also applies to Nigerians living in Cameroon. We must endeavor to live like a global citizen, living in a country and work in another.

When asked about the business relation she hope to build through the platform, she said: “We have a lot of raw products in Cameroon being shipped only to the western world whereas Nigeria is just across the border. It’s better for our brothers to bring their technology. We need the banking system; Why carrying money in hand bags all the time when transaction can be done online and it’s happening here in Lagos. You can be in your kitchen while managing your business, paying your bills, the children’s school fees. We have the services in Nigeria so, Cameroonians can come and learn, there is the Lagos Business School and a lot of opportunities that can benefit Cameroonians.

The DG, LCCI, Dr Chinyere Almona, in his remarks, said: “We hope that there will be better collaboration between the Nigerian and Cameroonian business after this deliberation. We hope for more partnerships and the balance and improvement of trade between Nigeria and Cameroon.

“Cameroonians and Nigerians have done business for years, there has been a constant flow of business and transactions across the border and, culturally, there have been engagements and interactions. So, we have always been together and work together, but we need to take it to the next level, we need to improve how we work so that it will be beneficial to the economies of both countries.”

Advising Cameroonians, she said: “If you want to do business in Nigeria, you must come through a formal channel, go through the legal route, the same applies to Nigerians doing business in Cameroon.”

Speaking with The Guardian, the Managing Director, Barry Callebaut, Blaise Kengne who spoke on the Cocoa business in Africa, said: “Cocoa business is tough this season, but compared to past two years, the cocoa price has tripled, which is good news for our farmers and we are expecting youths to engage in cocoa farming, knowing that it is becoming a good source of income.

“Shipping raw cocoa to foreign countries and importing chocolate doesn’t make sense. We will earn more if the transformation is done locally but I am happy that some countries in Africa are taking steps to cut shipping and start to refine.”