(Business in Cameroon) - Ethiopian conglomerate Ovid Holdings is preparing an economic foray into Cameroon, according to a note from the Cameroonian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (Ccima) dated Nov. 20.

The group, founded in 2013 with a capital of $15 billion, is conducting a scouting mission from Nov. 23 to Nov. 28 in Yaounde, Kribi, and Douala. The mission aims to identify investment opportunities in several sectors, including construction, mining, infrastructure, agribusiness, and real estate.

A key event of the mission is a "win-win" Ethiopia-Cameroon business meeting scheduled for Nov. 27. Ovid Holdings will meet with public authorities, economic operators, project leaders, and companies seeking financing.

The exchanges are intended to align local needs with the group's investment capacity for potential project setups or partnerships in the identified sectors.

Ovid Holdings' interest in Cameroon reflects a growing trend of intra-African investment, driven by the search for new markets, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the expansion of African groups within the sub-region.

With its diversified portfolio and financial strength, the group could become a strategic partner for several major projects in Cameroon, particularly in infrastructure, agribusiness, and real estate, where capital needs remain significant.

Amina Malloum