Mr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon

Trade facilitation has become a key issue in international relations, with the entry into force on February 22, 2017, of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). This instrument aims to reduce trade costs by an average of 14.31 trillion CFA francs and increase global trade by US$1 trillion annually, with the greatest gains expected for the poorest countries.

Within the framework of this movement and in application of the provisions of the AFE, Cameroon, a country occupying a strategic position stretching from Lake Chad to the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, has established its National Trade Facilitation Committee (CONAFE), through Decree No. 2016/0381/PM of March 1, 2016, with the mission of proposing and ensuring the monitoring and coordination of the implementation of measures intended to facilitate and accelerate international trade and transport.

Under the leadership of CONAFE, Cameroon adopted a National Trade Facilitation Roadmap (FRNFE) for 2021-2025 in 2021, with the vision: "Cameroon is a land of attractiveness and competitiveness in foreign trade by 2025." The FRNFE outlines, in particular: the objectives to be achieved, the strategic areas for implementation, and a priority action plan.

The monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of this public policy instrument was entrusted to CONAFE, following its reform under Decree No. 2022/0062/PM of February 2, 2022, concerning the reorganization of the National Trade Facilitation Committee. According to the relevant provisions of this decree, CONAFE is specifically responsible for:
– to ensure the implementation of the FRNFE; ;
– to ensure coordination between the bodies involved in facilitating trade and transport and to strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors; ;
– to conduct or commission studies aimed at identifying problems affecting the costs, time and efficiency of international trade; ;
– to propose measures aimed at reducing costs and delays, improving the efficiency of international trade and participating in their implementation; ;
– to contribute to the dissemination of information on the methods and benefits of facilitating international trade and transport, as well as on best practices in these areas; ;
– to propose to the Government, public bodies and private professional bodies measures aimed at simplifying, normalizing, harmonizing and standardizing international trade procedures; ;
– to formulate recommendations on improving regulations and practices in the field of international trade and transport; ;
– to participate in international efforts to improve trade facilitation and trade efficiency and to contribute to the work of international organizations responsible for facilitating international trade and transport; ;
– to monitor the implementation of reforms and agreements aimed at facilitating international trade and transport; ;
– to contribute significantly to improving the country's position in negotiations on trade facilitation and international transport, in conjunction with the relevant administrations and bodies; ;
– to carry out any other mission entrusted to it by the Government in relation to its purpose.