Investment climate hinges on decisive governance, says Gecam president

During his address at the June 23, 2026, Gecam annual general meeting in Douala, Célestin Tawamba, president of the association, delivered a candid assessment of Cameroon’s economic challenges. “In today’s global economy, nations compete fiercely to attract capital, talent, and technology, and governance quality has become a critical competitive factor,” he emphasized.

Investors, he noted, evaluate multiple factors before committing funds. “They scrutinize infrastructure, energy supply costs, and tax policies—but ultimately, they prioritize a country’s ability to make decisions, implement policies, and honor commitments. Investors back nations that act decisively, not those mired in inertia,” Tawamba stated.

He stressed that Cameroon’s economic future depends on accelerating decision-making processes. “The question is no longer what needs to be done but how to act faster, smarter, and with measurable outcomes. The era of diagnostics must give way to execution; intentions must yield to results,” he asserted.

Tawamba highlighted Cameroon’s current stagnation, where critical decisions face delays, projects stall, and bureaucratic caution stifles initiative. “Structural reforms are few and far between, while projects progress at a glacial pace. Administrations often prioritize risk avoidance over innovation, leaving businesses navigating an increasingly uncertain landscape. This erodes investor confidence and dampens entrepreneurial spirit,” he warned.