Bertin Tchoffo’s journey is one of grit, vision, and belief in local production. The Cameroonian entrepreneur, founder of Pafic Sarl, has turned what many once saw as a simple subsistence crop—cassava—into a fast-growing agro-industrial empire with regional ambitions.
Today, Tchoffo oversees 1,300 hectares of cassava farms and runs a factory capable of processing up to 20 tonnes per day. From this operation comes a wide range of products, including cassava flour, garri, and composite flour—staples that are steadily gaining ground in both urban and rural markets.
But his vision does not stop at raw or semi-processed products. Pafic Sarl also operates a bakery that converts cassava flour into bread, croissants, and other baked goods, proving that locally sourced inputs can compete with imported wheat-based alternatives. This innovation speaks directly to Africa’s long-standing challenge of food imports and currency pressure.
In yet another bold move, the company is expanding into cosmetics production using palm oil, diversifying its portfolio and creating additional value from local agricultural resources. It is a strategy that reflects Tchoffo’s belief in maximising what Africa already has, instead of relying on foreign supply chains.
Pafic Sarl currently runs five distribution points in Yaoundé, but plans are ambitious: 100 more outlets are expected to open in the coming years. With this expansion, the company aims to deepen market access, lower product costs, and bring cassava-based goods closer to everyday consumers.
Behind the success lies a story of serious hardship. Tchoffo comes from a difficult background and at one point survived on the streets in France. Rather than give up, he channelled his experiences into a long-term vision. In 2012, he took a decisive step—investing in cassava farming back home in Cameroon. That decision would change his life and the lives of many others.
Today, Pafic Sarl employs over 1,000 people, making it one of the notable private-sector employers in Cameroon’s agro-processing space. Beyond profit, Tchoffo has become a strong voice for strengthening local production, particularly in the cassava value chain, which he sees as key to food security, job creation, and economic independence.
Bertin Tchoffo’s story stands out: proof that with resilience, smart investment, and faith in local resources, African agribusiness can scale, compete, and transform lives.
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