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FiBL consolidates Swiss–Cameroonian partnership for sustainable agriculture in Central Africa

A woman and a man sitting on a desk, signing a document.

Hélène Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Mr. Louis Ndjie, Director General of the IAO, signing the MoU. (Photo: Embassy of Switzerland in Yaoundé)

Nine men and women standing in front of a large door with Swiss and Cameroonian flags in the back.

Left to right: the Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, Ms. Nathalie Kohli; Mr. Achille Bassilekin III, Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handi­crafts; Mr. Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of the Economy and Regional Planning; His Majesty Guy Tsala Ndzomo, President of the National Council of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon; Hélène Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs; Mr. Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Louis Ndjie, Director General of the IAO; Dr. Sabine Douxchamps, Head of the Department of International Cooperation at FiBL; and the representative of the Ministry of Education. (Photo: Embassy of Switzerland in Yaoundé)

Building on more than 20 years of collaboration between the Obala Agricultural Institute (IAO) and Switzerland, FiBL, together with leading Swiss agricultural institutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IAO. This milestone marks a strong commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture in the region.

In a significant step forward for Swiss–Cameroonian cooperation, a new MoU has been signed to deepen collaboration in agricultural research, training, and innovation. The MoU was formalised during a high-level ceremony hosted by the Swiss Embassy in Yaoundé, attended by the Ministers of Economy, Agriculture, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The MoU was signed by Louis Ndjie, Founding Director of IAO, and State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger.

Alongside FiBL, Swiss partners include Agroscope and the Fondation Rurale Interjurassienne (FRI), reinforcing Switzerland's long-standing engagement in agricultural research and development in the region.

The partnership establishes IAO as Switzerland's primary partner in agricultural research in Central Africa and aims to strengthen professional training, scientific research, and agricultural extension, particularly in food and agriculture systems.

FiBL's role in advancing agroecology and organic agriculture

FiBL will play a central role in the implementation of the MoU, contributing its expertise in agroecology and organic agriculture across the entire food system. A key focus will be on training the next generation of agricultural scientists and entrepreneurs in Africa.

The agreement outlines several priority areas for FiBL's involvement:

  • Applied research and training: Joint development of practical agroecology research and advisory projects, with active participation from IAO Bachelor and Master students.
  • Academic exchange: Promotion of researcher, teacher, and student mobility between FiBL and IAO.
  • Agroecology platform: Establishment of a dedicated FiBL platform at IAO, serving as a hub for research, training, and advisory services in agroecology and organic agriculture across West and Central Africa.

This strategic partnership opens up new opportunities for cooperation and reflects a shared ambition to sustainable agricultural systems at scale through education, research, and innovation, with strong potential to generate lasting impact in Cameroon and beyond.

Further information

Contact

Sabine Douxchamps

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