(Business in Cameroon) - On February 1, 2024, the Program for Regional Integration and Investment in Central Africa (Pairiac) conducted a workshop in Douala, Cameroon, focusing on fostering collaboration among regional stakeholders, the private sector, and European partners. The objective is to establish a platform facilitating access to European financing for development projects in Central Africa.

The workshop brought together representatives from regional economic communities (CEMAC and ECCAS), regional development banks, commercial banks, regional microfinance institutions, guarantee and investment funds, and financial markets. Philippe Tokpanou, Coordinator and Head of Mission for Technical Assistance at Pairiac, expressed optimism about the workshop.

"This represents a real opportunity for regional actors to improve their access to European financing. We firmly believe that this collaboration will enhance competitiveness and innovation in businesses, especially SMEs in Central Africa," he said.

Funded by the European Union (EU), Pairiac is dedicated to bolstering regional integration in Central Africa and supporting investment in the sub-region. The initiative utilizes technical assistance, including various programs and workshops, to "strengthen synergies between regional actors and the EU, creating an investment-friendly environment."