British High Commission Deepens Engagement with UKCCC, Opens New Opportunities for UK-Cameroon Business Partnerships
Douala, September 9, 2026 — The British High Commission (BHC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening business and commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Cameroon following a high-level engagement with the UK Cameroon Chamber of Commerce (UKCCC) in Douala.
The engagement, held on September 9, 2026, at the Akwa Palace Hotel in Douala, brought together representatives of the British High Commission, UKCCC members and a number of prominent organizations and entrepreneurs connected to PROMOTE 2026. The meeting provided an important platform for dialogue on upcoming UK business priorities and opportunities, while also creating avenues for new partnerships between UKCCC members and organizations seeking stronger links with the United Kingdom.
Engagement session underway at Akwa Palace Hotel
The British High Commission delegation was led by His Excellency Matt Woods, who engaged with members of the Chamber on the evolving UK-Cameroon business landscape and upcoming programs and initiatives that could benefit businesses and entrepreneurs.
The visit was also designed to introduce selected PROMOTE 2026 stakeholders to the UKCCC network and explore opportunities for collaboration, including potential membership of the Chamber, business partnerships, institutional exchanges and the development of formal relationships through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
Strengthening the UKCCC–British High Commission partnership
The program opened with a welcome address by the Chairman of the UK Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Dr Elias Pungong, who expressed appreciation to the British High Commission and His Excellency Matt Woods for the visit and for the continued support provided to the Chamber and the wider business community.
In his remarks, the Ambassador welcomed participants and commended UKCCC for its efforts to bring businesses and entrepreneurs together and for providing a platform through which commercial relationships can be developed.
His Excellency also highlighted upcoming UK business opportunities, programs and activities, encouraging UKCCC members to remain engaged and position themselves to take advantage of initiatives that could support trade, investment, entrepreneurship and stronger commercial links between the two countries.
The engagement therefore served not only as an opportunity for information sharing but also as a platform for strengthening the strategic relationship between the British High Commission and UKCCC.
PROMOTE 2026 stakeholders explore new partnerships
A major highlight of the engagement was the participation of organizations introduced through PROMOTE 2026. The stakeholders presented their respective organizations, activities and areas of interest, with discussions focusing on how they could connect with UKCCC members and the wider UK business community.
Group photograph with the UK High Commissioner, HE Matt Woods
Among the participating organizations was theBiaka University, a leading private university based in Buea with strong connections to the United Kingdom. The university expressed interest in joining the UKCCC and exploring the development of an internship placement program that could provide students with valuable exposure to the business community and practical workplace experience.
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), a leading pan-African training center for the next generation of mathematicians and evidence-based policy champions, also participated in the engagement. Based in Limbe and attracting students from more than 15 African countries, AIMS expressed interest in developing visiting-speaker programs, exchange forums between its students and captains of industry, as well as business, innovation and entrepreneurship collaborations with UKCCC and its members.
AECO Education Services, a leading promoter of UK-Cameroon partnerships in higher education based in Douala, presented opportunities for collaboration in education and skills development. The organization expressed interest in working with UKCCC to organizze masterclasses and develop apprenticeship-based learning models driven by industry needs.
The technology and innovation sector were represented by Silicon Mountain, a pioneering technology and innovation business hub based in Buea with a growing network of entrepreneurs and businesses. Discussions focused on opportunities to develop innovative business solutions for UKCCC members, while also creating platforms through which technology companies could pitch new products, services and market-growth opportunities.
From introductions to practical collaboration
Following the presentations, participants engaged in a lively question-and-answer session. The exchange allowed UKCCC members and PROMOTE stakeholders to seek clarification, share experiences and explore areas where their respective organizations could work together.
The CEO of Willis Towers Insurance, Ms. Carole Epee, answers a question from a PROMOTE Stakeholder.
The discussions reflected the increasingly diverse nature of the UKCCC network, which brings together established businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, educational institutions, professional organizations and innovation-driven enterprises.
For the PROMOTE stakeholders, the engagement offered an opportunity to gain direct access to a business network with links to UK companies and partner chambers. For UKCCC members, it provided an opportunity to identify new sources of expertise, innovation, talent and potential commercial partnerships.
The possibility of developing formal institutional relationships through MOUs was also identified as a potential next step for organizations where there is a clear basis for collaboration.
UKCCC pledges wider visibility for PROMOTE stakeholders
Speaking on the way forward, the Chairman of UKCCC assured the PROMOTE stakeholders of the Chamber’s commitment to creating greater visibility for their organizations through its growing network of partner chambers and business contacts.
He indicated that opportunities could also be created for the stakeholders to present their organizations, products and services directly to the wider UKCCC membership.
Such engagements, he noted, would help increase awareness of the organizations and their activities while creating opportunities for networking, business referrals, partnerships and market access.
The approach is consistent with UKCCC’s broader objective of serving as a bridge between businesses and institutions in Cameroon and their counterparts in the United Kingdom and other international markets.
Key outcomes
The engagement produced several important outcomes, including strengthened relations between the UKCCC and the British High Commission; greater visibility for young entrepreneurs and start-ups within the Chamber; increased awareness among UKCCC members of upcoming UK business programs and opportunities; and the identification of potential collaborations with PROMOTE stakeholders, including possible institutional MOUs.
UKCCC President, Dr Elias Pungong reaffirms the Chamber’s commitment to supporting PROMOTE stakeholders.
As follow-up discussions get underway, UKCCC is expected to continue working with the British High Commission, PROMOTE stakeholders and its members to translate the opportunities identified during the engagement into practical partnerships and business initiatives.
