Yaounde: Central Africa adopts high-impact policy agenda to De-risk and fund economic diversification

Yaoundé, 27 November 2025 (ECA) - Central Africa marked a pivotal moment in its economic transformation journey with the formal adoption of a strategic convergence framework at the High-Level Regional Political Dialogue held on 27 November 2025. Concluding the Regional Conference on Economic Diversification Financing, this framework establishes a clear, unified roadmap for the effective mobilization of sustainable finance, backed by specific national and regional policy recommendations.

The Framework reflects the consolidation of a robust regional pipeline of bankable projects spanning high-impact sectors, including agro-industry, natural resource processing, the Blue Economy, cross-border value chains, and productive infrastructure. Unanimously endorsed by all stakeholders, this action transforms the region's approach to development finance, shifting it from isolated initiatives to a structured, coordinated, and jointly owned process.

Opening the High-Level Political Dialogue, Mohamadou Lawal, Director-General for Cooperation and Integration and Representative of the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development of the Republic of Cameroon, highlighted the commitment of the States and praised the leadership of ECA: "By bringing together governments, investors, experts, and partners today, we are, in fact, thanks to this work, laying the foundations for a more solid industrial future for Central Africa."

Priorities and commitments: the action plan

The Strategic Convergence Framework sets forth several key structural directives necessary to ensure the effective mobilization of finance for the pillars of economic diversification (productive capacities, regional trade, blue economy): systematically align national priorities with sustainable financing instruments, including guarantees, blended finance, and ESG standards; strengthen institutional capacity in project preparation and structuring by integrating multidisciplinary teams and harmonized methodologies at the sub-regional level; promote the regional dimension in economic transformation projects to support genuinely integrative initiatives; systematically integrate blue, green, and climate priorities into national and regional development strategies, particularly within coastal and maritime value chains.

Regional Economic Communities (CEMAC, ECCAS) are specifically called upon to support the harmonization of regulatory frameworks and sustainable financing instruments to streamline the implementation of integrative projects and mutualize risks. They are also expected to ensure the regular update of the regional bankable project portfolio endorsed by Member States, thereby guaranteeing better visibility for donors.

For effective coordination and follow-up, the Regional Economic Communities, Development Financial Institutions (AfDB, BDEAC), and ECA are mandated to promote a structured and continuous dialogue.

"This strategic roadmap emerged from the direct, results-oriented discussions between project owners (including Member States, RECs, and UN Agencies) and International Financial Institutions, Regional Development Banks, and partners. Crucially, our Member States and CEMAC now possess the definitive blueprint for securing funds for economic diversification projects." stated Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of the ECA Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa.

Leadership and strategic vision

The successful organization of this high-level meeting confirmed Central Africa's readiness to seize promising financing opportunities. ECA's technical support, its role as a facilitator for financial partners, and its support in formulating transformative projects aligned with regional priorities were highly commended.

"This consultation platform represents a pivotal opportunity for our subregion to enhance the absorption rate of available funding. More importantly, it serves as the long-awaited leverage to fast-track the implementation of economic diversification projects enshrined in national development plans, the national and regional industrialization Strategies, and AfCFTA Action Plans", Soumaya Iraqui, chief of the economic diversification Section at the ECA Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa.

The Yaoundé Conference clearly demonstrated that Central Africa's economic transformation is a political choice, now supported by a reinforced technical and institutional architecture. By facilitating this strategic dialogue, ECA has provided Member States with the necessary framework and consensus to transcend potential and move toward concrete implementation.

"Moving forward, we are committed to institutionalizing this gathering. It will serve as a vital platform to assess the outcomes of this inaugural experience. Furthermore, it will enable us to facilitate targeted B2B and B2C engagements between financial institutions, Member States, and RECs to advance the subregion's numerous economic diversification projects" concluded Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of ECA Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa.

Media Queries
Zacharie Roger MBARGA - Communications Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
637, rue 3.069, Quartier du Lac, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel: (+237) 222504348
E-mail: [email protected]

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: [email protected]