The Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine OUSMANE MEY, received Dr. Dahlia KHALIFA, Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in an audience on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

This meeting provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange on the development of the private sector in Cameroon and the support opportunities offered by the IFC. For nearly an hour, discussions focused on ways to increase financing for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and diversify IFC’s interventions to better meet the needs of Cameroon’s private sector.

According to Dr. Dahlia Khalifa, the audience was marked by the strategic guidance of Minister Alamine OUSMANE MEY, who shared innovative ideas to foster the expansion of the private sector. Emphasis was placed on improving access to financing, especially for SMEs, and expanding funding opportunities, whether through debt financing or equity investment.

Dr. Dahlia Khalifa praised the relevance of the Minister’s ideas, highlighting IFC’s willingness to support Cameroon in strengthening its private sector and creating jobs. She reaffirmed her institution’s determination to tackle the challenges of the Cameroonian market and explore the best solutions to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The IFC, a subsidiary of the World Bank Group, is the largest global institution dedicated to developing the private sector in emerging countries. Its work is based on providing innovative financing, strategic advisory services, and tailored solutions to meet business needs, fostering economic growth and prosperity.

The audience between Minister Alamine OUSMANE MEY and Dr. Dahlia Khalifa reaffirms the shared commitment of the Cameroonian government and the IFC to developing a dynamic private sector that drives inclusive growth and sustainable job creation.