Yaoundé will host the first edition of the International Economic Forum on Import Substitution with Latin American Countries, known by its French acronym Feipal, from April 21 to 23, 2026. With this initiative, Cameroon is seeking new partnerships to support domestic production as it tries to reduce its heavy reliance on imports and revive long-standing industrialization ambitions.
Organized by the Ministry of External Relations, Feipal 2026 aims to bring together public authorities, businesses, experts and investors to identify ways to strengthen domestic production capacity. The theme, "Optimizing Local Production Through International Partnership for the Structural Transformation of Cameroon's Economy," places the event within the framework of import substitution and industrial transformation.
Authorities see reducing dependence on foreign markets as a priority. This reliance, widely viewed as a structural weakness, exposes the country to global price volatility and limits local value creation. The forum aims to foster partnerships focused on production, industrialization and local development.
Five Latin American countries invited
Five Latin American countries have been invited to this inaugural edition: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Chile, the ministry said in a statement dated April 13. The choice reflects Cameroon’s push to engage with economies that have experience in developing domestic industries, agro-processing and industrial upgrading.
The ministry said the event will bring together "political decision-makers, international experts, economic actors and Cameroonian investors," alongside officials and business leaders from the invited countries. Discussions are expected to focus on agriculture, industrialization and local development, with the aim of identifying cooperation opportunities suited to the Cameroonian market.
Beyond the forum, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to diversify Cameroon’s economic partnerships. By turning to Latin America, the country is looking to expand beyond its traditional partners while drawing on potentially transferable experience. For local businesses, the main value may lie in building contacts, accessing expertise and identifying technologies that could improve competitiveness.
The impact of Feipal will ultimately depend on its ability to generate concrete projects. Import substitution requires more than promoting domestic production. It also depends on improvements in energy, financing, infrastructure, logistics and industrial competitiveness. These outcomes will determine the significance of this first edition of the forum.
Patricia Ngo Ngouem