Addressing investment challenges in Cameroon’s economy

During his keynote address at the 2026 Gecam annual general meeting in Douala, Célestin Tawamba, President of the Gecam employers’ federation, delivered a stark assessment of Cameroon’s economic landscape. « In today’s global economic arena where nations fiercely compete for capital, talent, and technology, governance quality has emerged as the decisive factor in competitiveness», he emphasized.

The investors’ decision matrix, according to Tawamba, extends beyond physical infrastructure. « They examine energy supply reliability and cost structures. They scrutinize fiscal policies. Yet most critically, they evaluate a nation’s capacity to make decisions, execute plans, and honor commitments. We invest where leaders act decisively—not where they hesitate. This fundamental principle will shape Cameroon’s economic trajectory», he stated.

Tawamba dismissed the era of endless diagnostics: « The question is no longer what needs to be done. The real challenge is: How can we do it faster? How can we do it better? How can we deliver measurable outcomes?» He stressed that Cameroon’s economy suffers from pervasive hesitation, where strategic decisions stall, approvals drag, and projects crawl forward. « Government agencies often prioritize caution over initiative, while businesses navigate an increasingly opaque environment. This erosion of confidence affects both investor sentiment and entrepreneurial morale», he concluded.