On August 12, 2026, MINRESI and CEMAC formalized the start of a strategic partnership around the Research and Innovation Hub. Objective: to harmonize governance and place research at the heart of the political and economic agenda of the sub-region, in the face of lack of funding and infrastructure.
Scientific diplomacy is in action. The Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation of Cameroon and the CEMAC Commission launched on August 12, 2026, the foundations of strengthened cooperation to boost research in Central Africa. The Resident Representative of CEMAC received a delegation led by the Director of Cooperation of MINRESI. On the agenda: the future of the Research and Innovation Hub in Central Africa, an initiative launched by MINRESI in July 2025.
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The situation is clear. The sub-region suffers from a chronic funding deficit and a lack of advanced scientific infrastructure. These obstacles limit knowledge production and the emergence of local solutions to development challenges.
Faced with this blockage, Cameroon took the lead by proposing the creation of a shared regional hub. This morning’s meeting marks a decisive step: CEMAC is now invited to get directly involved.
The central objective is clear: “To propose to CEMAC to actively participate in harmonizing the governance of this Hub.” In other words, to provide the structure with a common management framework shared by the six member states.
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The ambition is broader: “To place scientific research and innovation at the very forefront of the political and economic agenda of Central Africa.” The aim is to make science no longer an adjustment variable, but a true growth lever.
For the two institutions, the way forward is through pooling. “By pooling efforts and harmonizing our governance frameworks, Central Africa equips itself with the means to transform its scientific challenges into sustainable development levers,” it was concluded at the end of the meeting.
With this rapprochement, the Hub could become the first structuring regional tool for research. Between shared laboratories, joint programs, and combined funding, Central Africa wants to catch up and rely on collective intelligence to build its future.