• Cameroon buys Geocoton’s 30% stake in Sodecoton for 46B CFA francs
• Deal opens path for Camair Co-Corsair joint flights to Paris
• Corsair to operate planes; Camair Co manages branding and sales

Cameroon will purchase France's Geocoton from its stake in the cotton development company Sodecoton, Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze said on Tuesday. The deal could enable national carrier Camair Co to launch flights to Paris without investing in new aircraft.

The state approved the acquisition of Geocoton's 30% stake in Sodecoton for 46 billion CFA francs in July. This increases Cameroon's shareholding in the cotton firm to 89%, strengthening its control over the agricultural enterprise.

Motaze told parliament that Geocoton sold its stake to finance an investment in French airline Corsair. He said this created an opportunity for Camair Co to partner with the French carrier.

"Geocoton can now arrange for Camair Co to have flights, for example to Paris, without Camair Co needing to invest in buying or leasing aircraft," Motaze explained.

The proposed partnership would create a joint venture where Corsair would operate Douala-Yaounde-Paris flights under the Camair Co brand. The Cameroonian airline would handle commercial operations including reservations and marketing while using Corsair's planes and operational expertise.

Corsair has previously shown interest in the Cameroon route, with representatives visiting Yaounde in May. The partnership would position Corsair as a direct competitor to Air France on the lucrative route while giving Camair Co international presence without major capital investment.

Ludovic Amara, Business in Cameroon