PALMACAM - Preliminary market and socio-environmental assessment of the palm oil supply chain in Cameroon
Partners
Main goals
Proparco is considering an investment opportunity into a palm oil operation to extend the sourcing of a processing plant. However, such investment must be :
- (i) in line with AFD’s values and missions (exemplarity in terms of environmental and social impact)
- (ii) reasonably safe in terms of market & reputational risks and profitability (IRR)
- (iii) implemented by a skilled and experienced team in the investee company
Nitidæ et INSUCO have been contracted to carry out a preliminary assessment to identify any redflag or significant risks that would prevent the investment. This assessment will serve to prepare the Due Diligence, providing Proparco advances forward in the investment process
Specific objectives
SO1. Gaining a better understanding of the palm oil market in Cameroon: private and public stakeholders, the structure and flows of the value chain
SO2. Assessing potential environmental and social risks: land tenure, waste management, community consultation
Activities
A1. Kick-off of the study: aligning visions and expectations, present the approach, ask for complementary documentation
A2. Bibliography review and trade data analysis: documentation of the investee, thematic bibliography, UNCOMTRADE/FAOSTAT/EUROSTAT data, concessions maps, land tenure and community rights
A3. Preliminary interviews and mission preparation: stakeholder mapping and first contact
A4. Field mission: interviews and site visits with key stakeholders
A5. Data analysis and interpretation in collaboration with INSUCO
A6. Production of the deliverables
Related people
Léo Godard
Agronomist with a degree from the French National School of Agricultural Science and Engineering of Toulouse (INP ENSAT), he works on the analysis of agroindustrial projects and provide consultancy for promoters and investors of agro value chains. He also provides technical assistance and consultancy for small to large scale agricultural to switch to organic or regenerative practices
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Maël Bertet
With a degree in agricultural engineering, Maël specialises in sustainable agricultural value chains. His work combines field studies, stakeholder coordination and strategic recommendations to improve sustainability performance within supply chains. He joined Nitidæ's research department in November 2025.
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Jovis Arnold Nguefack
He holds a Master’s degree in Geography, Spatial Planning and the Environment from the University of Dschang (Cameroon) and has supplemented his education with a professional certification in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing applied to forest resource management, obtained from EUREKAGEO. He has also enhanced his skills through academic experiences in Romania and France, particularly regarding the application of GIS to the sustainable management of biodiversity. He has recently taken up the post of Carbon & Biodiversity Task Officer at Nitidæ in Cameroon, and is contributing his expertise in the field of geomatics applied to environmental management as part of the Natura Sud-Est project.
Elie Gbetnkom
Agricultural engineer, MSc in Biotechnology (Agroecology), he specialised in seed improvement, agroecology and agricultural production development, with experience in the cocoa, coffee, cassava and maize sectors in Cameroon
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