In a forward-looking effort to open new markets for Cameroonian cocoa through direct trade channels, the country’s trade minister, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, reached out to several global chocolate industry leaders in November 2024. Among them was Dr Hae-Jung Jung, a South Korean industrialist with a strong international presence.
Dr Jung responded positively to the minister’s invitation, arriving in Cameroon for a working visit that culminated in a meeting on June 5, 2026, at the minister’s office. The visit focused on concrete investment opportunities.
Addressing the minister’s goal of boosting the value of Cameroonian cocoa beans on the world market—particularly in emerging economies—Dr Jung went beyond expectations. He stated that his company, which already operates in countries including China, could purchase up to half of Cameroon’s annual cocoa output of 300,000 tonnes. Advanced laboratory analyses had already confirmed the exceptional quality of Cameroonian cocoa, prompting Dr Jung’s trip.
Beyond cocoa, Dr Jung outlined plans to help transform Cameroon’s economy through substantial investments. He is seeking 100-hectare sites to establish industrial parks leveraging cutting-edge Korean technology, similar to projects he has already implemented in Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, and Guinea.
Initial projects include relocating a factory that produces melamine and porcelain tableware, as well as kitchen utensils. Dr Jung also expressed interest in social sector investments, particularly in healthcare. His commitment to Cameroon is part of a broader, proven continental strategy.
The trade minister expressed gratitude for the visit, calling it promising and aligned with the import-substitution policies advocated by President Paul Biya. He highlighted Cameroon’s institutional stability, abundant resources, and dynamic youth population as key advantages. Both sides agreed to move quickly to turn these plans into reality.
Dr Jung’s strong track record, international credentials, and the sincerity of his approach—developed over more than a year since the initial invitation—signal the start of serious, large-scale investments in Cameroon’s economy.
