The official launch ceremony for the 5th edition of the Pro Meet Up – PML5 took place on June 1, 2026, at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde, Cameroon. Held under the theme “Integration corridors, catalysts for the development of sub-regional value chains,” the high-level gathering was chaired by Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallè Bibehe, Minister of Transport and personal representative of the Prime Minister.
The event brought together a distinguished panel of Central African leaders, including government ministers, the Vice-President of the CEMAC Commission, and representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa – ECA, all uniting to kick off preparatory activities for this crucial public-private dialogue platform.
Carole Mbessa Elongo, President of the Pro Meet Up, opened the proceedings by highlighting the continent’s driving vision for sustainable sub-regional value chains. She emphasized that true economic resilience and reduced external dependency depend heavily on the local processing of raw materials and the strategic enhancement of African resources and skills.
Urging collective mobilization across both public and private sectors, Elongo passionately called on the regional actors in attendance to “organize, cooperate, rebuild, and above all, act” to bring forth concrete, sustainable solutions for continental industrialization.
The strategic role of financial connectivity along these trade routes was a core focus, illustrated vividly by Keynote Speaker Mike Ogbalu III, CEO of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System – PAPSS. Ogbalu demonstrated how integrated payment systems fluidify commercial transactions and boost logistics competitiveness, famously noting, “That is the moment a corridor stops being road and asphalt and becomes a value.” Supporting this view, Charles Assamba Ongodo, Vice-President of the CEMAC Commission, described integration corridors as vital instruments of regional economic transformation that interconnect production systems and strengthen intra-community trade.
Officially opening the proceedings, Minister Masséna praised the alignment of PML5 with the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area – AfCFTA. He reiterated that modern transport corridors are no longer simple transit routes, but are genuine economic integration zones capable of driving structural transformation.
The Minister also used the platform to highlight Cameroon’s ongoing government efforts to modernize its port, road, rail, and logistics infrastructure, solidifying the nation’s position as a premier logistics hub for inland Central African countries.
The landmark ceremony concluded with a series of institutional and strategic exchanges among technical and financial partners. Participants delved into the immediate challenges of trade facilitation, sub-regional investment opportunities, and infrastructure development.
By laying the critical groundwork, the launch of PML5 successfully set a collective agenda to transform regional corridors into powerful, active levers of competitiveness and sustainable economic growth across Central Africa.
