The Government of Cameroon, with support from the Joint SDG Fund and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, officially launched the CONVERGEFOOD Joint Programme on 25 March 2026 to accelerate food systems transformation. The initiative aims to strengthen agricultural value chains, expand access to finance, and connect smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises to inclusive markets, particularly in underserved regions. Coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and implemented by multiple UN agencies, including WFP, FAO, UNEP, UNIDO, and UNCDF, the programme aligns with Cameroon’s Food Systems Transformation Roadmap and Convergence Action Blueprint to promote sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive food systems.
The programme responds to urgent food security challenges, with 3.3 million people facing acute food insecurity, particularly in the Far North, North, and East regions, and focuses on four priority value chains: rice, cassava, eggs, and dairy products. Through a multisectoral approach, CONVERGEFOOD strengthens governance, improves food processing and safety infrastructure, promotes climate-smart production, and expands income and employment opportunities for smallholder farmers, women, and youth.
A key feature of the programme is mobilizing private sector investment through blended finance mechanisms, including a Guarantee Fund and Disbursement Fund, aimed at supporting cooperatives and small and medium enterprises. The initiative also leverages partnerships with the European Union and other development partners to align investments, strengthen institutional coordination, and scale up food systems transformation efforts. By combining government leadership, UN coordination, and private sector engagement, CONVERGEFOOD seeks to deliver tangible results in sustainable economic growth, food security, and climate resilience across Cameroon.
