Paul Biya to Attend China-Africa Summit: Key Talks on Resources and Partnerships

Yaoundé, Cameroon - August 22, 2024- President Paul Biya of Cameroon is expected to travel to China in the coming days to participate in the China-Africa Summit, scheduled for September 3-4, 2024.

This high-profile summit comes at a crucial time as global geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, with China seeking to bolster its ties with Africa.

President Biya, who recently returned from Europe after attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and World War II commemorations alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to depart soon for the summit in China. The summit is a key platform for China to strengthen its relationships with African nations, focusing on securing access to essential raw materials and rare metals, of which Africa is a significant supplier.

A major focus of the summit will be discussions surrounding the exploitation of the Mbalam iron ore mine. Chinese company CAM IRON, in partnership with Cameroonian firms BESTWAY, led by Alexandre Mbiam and Cédric Ketchanga, is preparing to meet with officials from Cameroon and the Republic of Congo during the summit. The meeting aims to finalize plans for the commencement of mining operations, with the Chinese partners announcing that extraction is set to begin in December 2024.

The summit highlights China's ongoing efforts to secure long-term access to Africa's natural resources, further emphasizing the continent's strategic importance in the global supply chain of critical minerals. For Cameroon, this represents an opportunity to solidify its economic partnerships and attract investment in key sectors.

As the summit approaches, all eyes will be on the outcomes of these high-level discussions, which have the potential to shape the future of Sino-African relations and significantly impact the economic landscape of the African continent.