Over 95% of pastoralist women in the North West Region of Cameroon depend exclusively on milk production for their income. The overall decline in pastoral resources in the past decades has affected milk productivity, drawing attention and technical support from public and non-governmental partners. However, this did not lead to significant increase in income for more than 100 female members of the cooperative, primarily due to poor market access.  SNV sought to address this problem by enhancing linkage between Cameroon Dairy Industry (CDI). Among the key interventions were institutional strengthening of SDC, initiating contact between the two organizations and improving milk collection and supply. SDC has upgraded into a successful small cottage dairy processor with value added of above 40%. Two similar cooperative dairy enterprises have also emerged in other parts of the region supported by SNV.  There is growing opportunity in the local market for dairy products and where linkage is inefficient, dairy cooperatives and their partners should invest in upgrading within alternative value chains. This case study thus describes experiences linking smallholder milk producers with industry. It highlights the vastly differing contexts of milk producers on the one hand and a milk processing industry on the other hand. The case study shows that in order for market linkage to be successful both parties have to commit to seeking and sustaining win-win situations.