CITF 2026: AFREXIMBANK Reaffirms Commitment to Cameroon’s Tourism Growth
AFREXIMBANK designates Cameroon the regional tourism entry point, as Nomechi unveils the country’s path forward in travel and hospitality.
Limbe, Cameroon — Leonelle Nomechi, Manager, Structured Trade & Commodity Finance at the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), delivered a keynote address at the 5th Cameroon International Tourism Fair (CITF 2026), reaffirming the Bank’s strategic support for Cameroon’s tourism sector as a driver of sustainable, inclusive economic transformation.
Speaking on behalf of AFREXIMBANK President Dr. George Elombi, Nomechi praised the fair as a “testament to Cameroon’s vast potential” and its identity as “Africa in miniature” — a nation whose cultural, ecological, and geographic diversity offers a uniquely authentic visitor experience.
Investment in Infrastructure: The Foundation of Tourism Growth
Nomechi emphasized that tourism development is inseparable from infrastructure development. She outlined four critical areas requiring investment to unlock Cameroon’s full potential:
- Transport connectivity (roads, ports, airports)
- Energy and utilities
- Hospitality and tourism facilities
- Digital and payment infrastructure
“These investments are essential to reduce bottlenecks, lower the cost of doing business, and facilitate intra-African trade — all of which directly enhance accessibility, reliability, and service delivery for visitors,” she said.
AFREXIMBANK’s Catalytic Role: CONTOUR, CANEX, and Medical Tourism
The Bank is already actively financing tourism and trade-enabling infrastructure through its CONTOUR (Construction and Tourism) Programme, which supports hotel development, logistics platforms, and energy supply chains across the continent.
Nomechi also highlighted AFREXIMBANK’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) initiative — a flagship programme promoting African cultural industries, including filmmakers, writers, athletes, and event producers. She announced that the next CANEX edition will take place in Lagos from 5–6 November 2026, further cementing the Bank’s role in cultural and creative economy development.
In a major expansion of its tourism portfolio, AFREXIMBANK is also advancing medical tourism through the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE). The first AMCE, opened in Abuja in June 2025, has already achieved groundbreaking milestones — including West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer and a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) — positioning Africa as a destination for world-class healthcare while retaining value on the continent.
Sustainability and Inclusion: Non-Negotiable Priorities
Nomechi stressed that tourism growth must be sustainable and inclusive:
“We must ensure that our natural environment is preserved, our cultural heritage is protected, and local communities derive tangible benefits. Sustainable tourism is not merely an aspiration — it is a responsibility we must collectively share.”
She called on stakeholders to align tourism development with environmental stewardship and community empowerment, ensuring that growth benefits all levels of society.
A Call to Action: Invest, Innovate, Enable
In closing, Nomechi issued a clear call to action:
- Investors to explore Cameroon’s significant tourism opportunities
- Industry stakeholders to innovate and expand offerings
- Public authorities to foster an enabling regulatory environment
- All participants to act as ambassadors of Cameroon’s unique identity
She concluded by reiterating AFREXIMBANK’s “unwavering commitment” to supporting Cameroon’s tourism sector — and extended Dr. Elombi’s appreciation to the Government of Cameroon, CITF organizers, and all stakeholders for their leadership in advancing the nation’s tourism potential.
