In September 2011, the Support Program to Decentralization and Local Development (PADDL) run by GIZ, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development (MINEPAT), undertook a pilot PACA exercise in the West Region of Cameroon. The main aim was to obtain a “mapping of regional economic potentialities”, in order to assist decision making around planning and regional economic development priorities, contributing thereby to the 2035 Vision which seeks to turn Cameroon into an emerging country. Thus, over ten days, the regional office of the MINEPAT based in Bafoussam hosted the first PACA exercise in Cameroon, during which fifteen local and national experts, together with an international consultant, highlighted the competitive advantages and disadvantages of the regional economy. The agro-pastoral and agri-business sectors came up as the main pillars of the regional economy and promising value chains were identified such as rabbit breeding, rice production and aquaculture.

The introduction of the concept of “competitive advantage” was an eye opener for the local and national experts who usually related local economic potentialities to comparative advantages. This pilot exercise in the West Region of Cameroon was considered a success by the MINEPAT, which requested that a manual be written, in order to roll-out the PACA methodology in the other nine regions of Cameroon. The way-forward workshop is due to take place early 2012 in Bafoussam with the support of the PADDL, in order to plan the implementation of the proposed activities to develop the agricultural and agro-business sectors.

Local and regional economic development is undoubtedly emerging as a key policy arena to deepen the process of decentralization in this dynamic and peaceful Central African country, as illustrated by the recent decision of the National Plan for Participatory Development (PNDP) to support the recruiting of local development officers by the 250 local municipalities in Cameroon. Given the strong interest generated by this pilot exercise, the PACA methodology could well become the preferred tool to kick-start economic development processes at local and regional level and to promote a more harmonious and equitable territorial development in Cameroon, as envisaged by the Vision 2035.

Valérie Hindson

Mesopartner Associate

January 2012