New IFAD Country Director to lead US$200 million drive to boost rural development in Cameroon
Eric Rwabidadi takes charge with focus on smallholder farmers, youth, and women.
CAMEROON – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has appointed Eric Rwabidadi as its new Country Director in Cameroon, with a mandate to guide more than US$200 million in ongoing investments that target rural development.
Rwabidadi presented his letter of credentials to Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations, on Wednesday 17 September. He underlined IFAD’s commitment to deepen its partnership with the country.
“Cameroon holds immense potential for agricultural transformation, and IFAD is pleased to be a trusted partner in unlocking that promise,” Rwabidadi said.
“In response to persistent challenges such as rural poverty, youth unemployment, gender inequality and the growing impacts of climate change on agriculture, we are working alongside the Government and local communities to invest in inclusive, climate-resilient rural development. Our focus is on empowering smallholder farmers, especially youth and women. I am honoured to lead this effort and deepen our cooperation for a more food-secure and prosperous Cameroon.”
For nearly 45 years, IFAD has worked in Cameroon to strengthen access to financial services, promote value chain development and support youth entrepreneurship.
Current projects include the Commodity Value-Chain Development Support Project – Phase II (PADFA II), the climate-resilience-focused ACREGIR initiative, and the upcoming Youth Agropastoral Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme – Phase II.
Each of these programmes aims to expand food security, strengthen climate adaptation and provide opportunities for youth and women in agriculture.
Alignment with Cameroon’s long-term vision
These efforts support Cameroon’s Vision 2035 and contribute to the country’s National Development Strategy, which seeks to increase productivity, create rural jobs and improve value chains for crops such as rice, onions, cocoa and coffee.
“IFAD and Cameroon will continue to combine their resources and expertise to increase investment in food systems with a focus on youth and women entrepreneurship, in line with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy,’’ Rwabidadi added.
Rwabidadi, a Rwandan national, also assumes the role of Head of the Multi-Country Office for Central Africa.
In this position, he oversees IFAD’s programmes in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.
With more than 25 years of experience in leadership and management across the public and private sectors as well as international organizations, Rwabidadi brings two decades of work within IFAD across multiple countries and contexts.
His appointment marks the continuation of IFAD’s strategy to strengthen partnerships and drive rural development in Central Africa.
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