The Government of Cameroon in Yaounde recently signed a financing agreement with the European Union (EU), to improve the situation of Cameroonian bananas on the European market. The agreement consists of a total of 41.046 million Euro. The amount is intended for an increase in production and the general improvement of working conditions of African suppliers.
The project will last 9 years. The total support amounts to €190 million, and will be divided among 10 countries, including three African ones (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana). Cameroon is the biggest beneficiary of this program.
Franklin Njie Ngoni, president of the Cameroon Banana Association (a consortium of producers), states that an increase in production will also increase the risk of Sigatoka, a fungus that decimates production. The overall goal, however, is to improve competition with Latin America.
"The production of bananas from Cameroon is currently less than 250,000 tons per year. That's not enough," said Mr. Njie Ngoni.