The agro-processing plant in Bangou, located in the Department of Hauts-Plateaux within the West Region, was officially inaugurated this Friday by the Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

The facility, developed by META INVEST through its Denky brand, marks a significant milestone in Cameroon’s industrial transformation journey. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, along with local authorities, business leaders, and community members.

Built on a three-hectare plot donated by the Cameroonian government, the plant specializes in processing maize, potatoes, and regional fruits into five staple products annually, with a total capacity of 5,200 tons. Lisette Claudia Tame Soumedjong, the company’s Managing Director, envisions expanding distribution from Cameroon’s 360 districts to the broader West African market and beyond under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The project is expected to generate over 100 direct and 450 indirect jobs.

Lisette Claudia Tame Soumedjong brings extensive experience to this venture, having previously led the establishment of similar facilities. Notable projects include the cocoa processing plant in Mbankomo (January 2025) and the Dimako agro-processing unit in the East Region (November 2025).

The Minister of Trade emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Paul Biya’s economic restructuring policy, which prioritizes industrialization through local value addition of agricultural raw materials. He highlighted how this plant simultaneously supports import substitution and balanced regional development, both key pillars of the Head of State’s vision.

The Minister also underscored the plant’s strategic importance for AfCFTA implementation. With Africa’s population of 1.3 billion, the continent represents a massive single market that surpasses the European Union and the United States. This new facility positions Bangou’s products to compete across this vast market.

The project’s benefits extend beyond commerce. It promises to stimulate regional agricultural production, create youth employment to combat rural exodus, offer vocational training opportunities, distribute wealth more equitably, and enhance Cameroon’s ‘Made in Cameroon’ brand recognition.