Nwendi Emmanuel X - Ray Potential Goldmines In Cameroon's Agriculture Sector
As Cameroon pushes to reduce food imports and strengthen food security, agricultural expert Nwendi Emmanuel Kongnyui says the sector remains the country’s most viable pathway to youth employment, investment, and sustainable economic growth.
Nwendi, a seasoned Livestock Engineer and agribusiness professional with over a decade of experience, is the Founder and Director of Nwendi International Agricultural Consulting Services. The Bamenda-based firm provides project development, technical support, and professional guidance to agribusinesses and investors across Cameroon. For Nwendi, agriculture is more than a livelihood. It is a tool for fighting hunger and building resilient communities.
Agriculture as an engine for youth employment and investment is catalyst for sustainable economic growth. Nwendi argues that agriculture is one of Cameroon’s most under exploited economic goldmines. With vast arable land, favorable climate, and a growing domestic market, he says the sector can absorb thousands of young people if treated as a business rather than subsistence activity.
“Young people don’t need handouts. They need access to land, finance, and technical mentorship. When you give them that, they can transform agriculture and create jobs for others,” he explained.
Restoring diaspora confidence through integrity is a major challenge Nwendi says he is solving as loss of trust among Cameroonians in the diaspora have caused many to be hesitant to invest back home due to past experiences of project funds being mismanaged or diverted. “Most investors, especially in the diaspora, cry that their money was not used for the projects they funded. That discourages them from investing in Cameroon,”
"Through Nwendi International Agricultural Consulting Services, we have made integrity the cornerstone of our work. The firm delivers projects transparently, with clear accountability and technical oversight, to restore confidence and encourage diaspora investment in agriculture. “My desire is to connect Cameroonians abroad with credible, well-managed agricultural projects at home. When investors see that their money is used properly and yields results, they come back and bring others,” he said.
From childhood passion to professional practice, his journey began at age nine when his father introduced him to pig farming and subsistence crop cultivation. That early exposure sparked a lifelong commitment to food security and community feeding, particularly for underprivileged populations. Driven by purpose, Nwendi transformed that passion into a career. He has since worked across animal production, crop farming, farm management, youth agricultural empowerment, and agricultural consulting.
Even the socio-political crisis that has gripped the North West Region since 2016 has not derailed his vision. Despite insecurity and operational challenges, Nwendi remained in Bamenda, adapting his work to support farmers and youth in the region. “In crisis situations, hunger doesn’t stop. If anything, the demand for practical agricultural solutions increases,”
Through his consulting firm, Nwendi works with cooperatives, young farmers, and investors to design bankable projects and improve productivity. He emphasizes that structured investment and technical know-how are critical to unlocking the sector’s potential.
Linking agriculture to food security and import substitution where Cameroon currently spends billions annually on food imports, from rice and fish to poultry and dairy. Nwendi says increasing local production in these value chains is essential to reduce the country’s import bill and stabilize food prices. “Every ton of rice, chicken, or vegetable we produce locally is a reduction in foreign exchange outflow and a gain for local farmers. Agriculture directly supports the government’s import substitution policy and strengthens food sovereignty.”
He notes that when local farms thrive, they create a multiplier effect: jobs in production, processing, transport, and retail, all of which contribute to the wider economy. As such, Nwendi is calling on policymakers, financial institutions, and the private sector to prioritize practical agricultural training, rural infrastructure, and market access. He believes these steps will make agriculture more attractive and profitable for youth and investors alike.
“Food security starts with local production. If we invest in agriculture now, we secure jobs, reduce imports, and build an economy that works for Cameroonians,” he said.
As Cameroon seeks to build a more resilient economy, Nwendi’s work offers a model of how technical expertise, resilience, and youth engagement can turn agriculture into a driver of growth and food independence.
By Etienne Nfor Liboh
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