The anti-poverty work in southwest China’s Yunnan Province demonstrates the importance of tailoring poverty alleviation strategies to local conditions while respecting cultural traditions, Cameroon’s ambassador to China, Martin Mpana, said during a visit to the province’s Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, noting that China’s poverty reduction strategies prioritise respect for ethnic minority cultures - a model he believes could inspire Cameroon’s efforts to support indigenous communities like the Pygmies. 

Mpana stressed the need for the integration of cultural preservation into development: “In Nujiang, ethnic minorities maintain and develop their traditions while benefitting from modern infrastructure and education. This balance ensures their identities aren’t erased by progress.” 

Reflecting on the challenges faced by indigenous communities in Cameroon, Mpana highlighted the difficulty in reaching their remote habitats. “Those people need to be educated and assisted in their development,” he stressed. 

Drawing parallels between Cameroon’s Pygmy communities, who face isolation due to their nomadic lifestyles and rainforest habitats, and Yunnan’s ethnic minorities, he said, “Like China’s ethnic groups, our Pygmies need tailored support. Infrastructure must reach them without disrupting their culture. Education should strengthen, not displace, their traditions,” he noted. Cameroon could adopt China’s people-oriented approach, which avoids one-size-fits-all solutions, he said. 

The ambassador underscored the role of infrastructure in fostering inclusivity: “Roads and connectivity here [in China] enable trade and tourism while preserving culture. In Cameroon, similar projects could help Pygmy communities to access markets for their crafts or promote eco-tourism.” He praised China’s focus on “capacity building,” such as training locals to manage sustainable industries rooted in their heritage. 

Despite limited financial resources in Africa, the ambassador remains optimistic about the potential for progress. “We wish we could have roads and highways like those in China,” he said, expressing hope for future developments that could enhance connectivity and economic opportunities in Cameroon.