Relations between Cameroon and Russia, although present, remain largely underexploited economically. Aside from Cameroon's massive imports of Russian wheat and the exclusive purchase of natural gas by a Gazprom subsidiary, commercial partnerships remain limited. This situation contrasts with the diplomatic, military, and humanitarian dimensions of ties between the two countries. A preparatory document from the Cameroonian presidency for the 2023 summit also points out that despite agreements signed with the former USSR in the 1960s and 1970s, the economic component has never been fully exploited. This reality highlights considerable development potential just waiting to be tapped.

The St. Petersburg Forum represents a major platform for Cameroonian operators. In a global context marked by difficulties in mobilizing financing from certain traditional partners, strengthened cooperation with Russia could be a key lever for the implementation of so-called "structural" projects. As the world's eighth-largest economic power, Russia possesses recognized expertise in key sectors for Cameroon, such as wheat production, fertilizer manufacturing, and mining. The opportunity is therefore twofold: attracting Russian investment and gaining access to technologies that could boost the local economy.

According to the chair's document, the actions to be undertaken with Russian partners should aim for several specific objectives: mobilizing development aid, promoting foreign direct investment (FDI), building trade capacity, developing partnerships, and increasing resources through decentralized cooperation.

The presence of a private sector delegation at the Russia-Africa Economic Forum is a strong signal of Cameroon's desire to strengthen its economic diplomacy.

The success of this approach will depend on the ability of operators to identify and formalize concrete partnerships. By capitalizing on Russia's strengths, Cameroon could boost key sectors of its economy and lay the foundations for more balanced and fruitful long-term cooperation.

CK