For several decades, the International Exhibition for Business, SMEs and Partnership of Yaoundé, commonly known as PROMOTE, has been presented as a showcase for Cameroon’s economy and a privileged platform for meetings between business leaders, investors and public decision-makers. However, many voices are now questioning the event’s real impact on the country’s economic development.
At each edition, substantial financial resources are allocated to the organization of the trade fair. Public authorities, state-owned companies, private businesses and institutional partners invest significant amounts of money in the event. Yet, tangible results in terms of major investments, sustainable job creation and industrial development remain difficult to assess.
Many observers argue that PROMOTE has gradually become more of a communication and publicity event than a genuine driver of economic transformation. Despite the extensive media coverage surrounding the fair, Cameroon continues to face major challenges, including youth unemployment, low industrialization, dependence on imports and limited access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Cameroonian SMEs, often presented as the main beneficiaries of the exhibition, still struggle to take full advantage of the opportunities announced during the event. Several entrepreneurs claim that the contacts established during the various editions rarely lead to concrete partnerships or significant investments capable of supporting their growth.
Furthermore, some economic stakeholders criticize what they describe as a lack of transparency regarding the event’s actual economic impact. They are calling for the publication of detailed reports that would accurately measure the investments generated, jobs created and projects effectively implemented as a result of the different editions of PROMOTE.
In a context marked by budgetary constraints and growing social demands, several economists believe that the resources devoted to large-scale events could be more effectively directed toward direct support for SMEs, infrastructure modernization, innovation programs and vocational training for young people.
According to its critics, the absence of clearly measurable economic indicators after many years of organization fuels skepticism about PROMOTE’s true contribution to the national economy. They advocate for a profound reform of the event so that it can become a genuine instrument for economic development capable of producing measurable and lasting results.
Beyond the criticism, the debate surrounding PROMOTE raises a fundamental question: how can major economic forums be transformed into concrete tools for growth, investment and job creation in Cameroon? The answer to this question may determine the future of many initiatives aimed at promoting the country’s economic development.
