Cameroon Advances Toward EUDR Compliance with Inclusive Digital Solutions
On July 15, 2025, Cameroon reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and inclusive trade at the high-level forum “Cameroon’s Readiness on Compliance with the EUDR,” co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade and the Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Council (CICC). The event gathered senior officials including the Minister of Trade Mr. Luc Magloire MBARGA ATANGANA, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Family, and the Minister of Forestry, alongside international partners such as the EU Delegation to Cameroon, the German Ambassy, GIZ, FAO, EFI, and major cocoa exporters.
The forum marked an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to align its cocoa and coffee sectors with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to come into effect in 2026. As Cameroon exports approximately 80% of its cocoa to the EU, EUDR compliance is critical for market access and rural livelihoods.
GeoShare: An Innovation for Inclusive Traceability
One of the forum’s highlights was the presentation of GeoShare, CICC’s new digital platform designed to support traceability for EUDR compliance. The tool enables large exporters to pool their farm-level geolocation data, which verified small exporters can consult to demonstrate the legal and deforestation-free origin of their products.
This innovation was hailed as a breakthrough in public-private cooperation.
GeoShare is more than a database—it is a bridge between actors of different capacities. It shows that traceability can be a shared good, not a competitive barrier.
The platform is built on geodata voluntarily shared by six major cocoa exporters under an agreement signed in 2024. With most cocoa farms already mapped, GeoShare allows fast, anonymous verification of supply chains and ensures that smaller market actors are not sidelined.
Mapping and Farmer Engagement
Cameroon’s readiness for the EUDR is built on years of groundwork. Over 90% of cocoa-growing areas affiliated to the CICC are already georeferenced. As of late 2024, around 260,000 metric tons—roughly 80% of national output—already meet traceability requirements.
Beyond digital tools, Cameroon has invested in people. Nationwide training and awareness campaigns led by CICC and partners such as the Support for the European Union’s flagship initiative on sustainable cocoa in Cameroon (SCP) have reached thousands of smallholder farmers. Producers are being trained on sustainable agricultural practices, legal compliance, and traceability—ensuring that even those in remote rural areas can participate in regulated value chains.
EFI and the GIZ project SAFE, participating in the forum as a two TEI Flagship initiatives on deforestation-free supply chains, highlighted the importance of such inclusive approaches on the panel discussion and during their speeches. Their contributions reflect the broader shift toward regional collaboration and transparency as key pillars for responsible trade.
Looking Ahead
The forum illustrated a strong convergence of government leadership, private sector investment, and international cooperation. Together, they are transforming EUDR compliance from a risk into an opportunity for Cameroon’s cocoa and coffee sectors.
The forum’s key message was clear: through innovation, cooperation, and digital solidarity, Cameroon is building a supply chain where no one is left behind.
