The NewWin-Win Geneva andCameroon : 9 th Investors Forum in November in EmaInvestforumspecial

Cameroon October 2013 • N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON Operational inJune Kribi Deep Seaport Kribi DeepSeaport 2014 Share Their Knowledge South Koreaand Brazil With Cameroon MAJOR PROJECTS MAJOR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY SERVICES FINANCE ENERGY MINING

BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Godwill Nkwain

Swiss-Cameroon: Time for Action!

he 9th EMA Invest Forum come economy with substantial and has come and gone in the sustainable investment, especially Swiss city of Geneva, but foreign direct investment, as a key. its echoes will linger on for The EMA Invest Forum was the right Ta long time. As participants continue platform to market its resources and to remember the beautiful Hotel des opportunities for investors. Bergues, which hosted the memo- Without any gainsay, this was well rable event from October 3-4, 2013, done. For example, Mines, Indus- much is expected from the business tries and Technological Development contacts created there. Minister, Emmanuel Bonde, present- It goes without saying that the Geneva ed the country’s rich mining sector forum was a veritable rapprochement as ripe for investors to transform the between Swiss and African investors. reserves still buried in the soil into It brought together stakeholders in wealth for economic growth. Equally Africa’s economy, businesspeople and Cameroon, like the rest of Africa, was Swiss investors to scan the amazing presented a medley of opportunities potential of African economic growth in the Swiss financial sector. Contacts and the vast capacities of the Swiss fi- were created, no doubt, and now that nancial sector. Its theme was “Geneva both sides know what one another and Africa: the new win-win.” has and needs, it is time for action Cameroon, as Guest of Honour at the to bring to fruition the potential re- forum, had a lot to give and take. The vealed at the Geneva rendez-vous – to country has negotiated an irreversible the mutual benefit of all. push toward becoming a middle-in-

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October 2013 / N° 9 -3- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

CONTENTS

034Swiss-Cameroon: Time for Action! 164Brazil Shares Agriculture Experience

064Cameroon’s Mining Minister Bonde Tells 164Cocoa Farmers Learn Better Production Investors: “Our Arms are Open to Receive Skills You” 174Government Certifies Meat in South West 074Financing Proposals from Symbiotics 174Sugar production by Sosucam Drops to 084Attracting Julius Bär Group 110,000 Tons of Sugar in 2013

094When Technology Reduces Poverty 174Chicken Prices Affordable in Yaounde Markets 104MFI Financing: BlueOrchard Model 184Kribi Deep Seaport Project Recruits 1,100 114Producing Energy From Sugar Cane soon Cameroonians in Cameroon 184Kribi Deep Seaport Operational in June 124Opening the Energy Market to IPP 2014

134How to Tap IFIs 18486 Billion AFD Funds for Cameroon in 2012 1441.5 Billion CFA Boost to Pineapple Processing in Awae 19422 Million PNDP Infrastructure Spending in the West 144Agricultural Equipment Given to Mbam and Inoubou Farmers 1941,600 Projects Financed by PNDP Since 2010 154Rice Price Hikes in Markets 194Cameroon has 4,500 Building Norms 1543 Million Hungry People in Cameroon 204New Financial Service Provider Launched 154Cameroon-grown Rice Scarce, Expensive 204Women Trained to Build Credit Portfolios 164Cameroonian Fishermen Learn Aquaculture Skills 214EU To Sponsor 40 Women Cooperatives

-4- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

214First-ever Cameroon Investors Forum in 2743 Billion CFA to Refurbish 21 Community November Radio Stations

224409 Solar Lamps Along Soa Road 284World Bank Projects 5.3% Growth Rate for Africa in 2014 224Cameroon Increasingly Embraces Renewable Energy 284Kuwait Fund Prospects in Cameroon

224Cameroon Wants to Regulate Biogas 29423 billion CFA Youth Entrepreneurship Production Project Gets Underway

234South Korea to train Cameroon’s Hydro 29416.9 Million CFA for 37 Adamawa Infrastructure Developers Youngsters

234Fundraising to Ensure Sight 294Pajer-U Gives Over 19.7 Million CFA to South West Young People 244Forest Management and Monitoring Project makes ‘Satisfactory’ Progress 304Revenue Collection Drops Below Projection 244Cameroon Acquires Logging Control Software 304State Accountants Learn Best Practices

254Cameroon’s Tourism to Emerge 314Tax Recovery Picks Up

254World Bank Faults Cameroon’s Tourism 314Customs Revenue Drops Again Governance 324BEAC Sharpens Money Laundering 264Better Wireless IT Solutions for Combat Skills Cameroon Companies 324Government Hands Down PIB 264Central Africa Prepares Proposals for Responsibilities Geneva Radio Conference 334CASTING 274MTN Donates Multimedia Centre to Ngoumou School

October 2013 / N° 9 -5- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON FOCUS

Cameroon’s Mining Minister Bonde Tells Investors: “Our Arms are Open to Receive You” boosting mine production, pro- cessing and industrialization in the country are among the long-term development objectives of Came- roon’s Growth and Employment Strategy Paper. “With an attractive mining code and the decision that at least 15 per cent of mineral production shall be processed locally, as well as the April 18, 2013 law on private investment incentives in the country, the gov- ernment has proved its willingness to ensure public/private partnership in discovering and exploiting the riches of the subsoil,” Mr. Bonde said. He cited giant projects such as the bauxite seam at Minim-Martap and Ngaoundal, which has estimated reserves of 500-700 million metric tons and requires about 5 to 6 bil- lion dollars to create about 1,500 to 2,000 direct jobs for the popula- tion, and multi-billion dollar iron Emmanuel Mines, Industries and Techno- would-be investors with a view to Bonde, ore projects in Mbalam, Mamelles, logical Development Minister wooing them so that they can both Minister Nkout and others, to show just how transform the reserves into wealth of Mines, much investment is needed. charmed investors with the huge Industry, potential of Cameroon during the and boost the country’s socio-eco- and Tech- These and others are just a fraction Geneva EMA Invest Forum in nomic development. nological of what the country offers, given And the recent EMA Invest Forum Develop- that around 60 per cent of the coun- October. ment of in Geneva was just one of the occa- Cameroon try is as yet unexplored and its min- Cameroon is greatly endowed with sions for the Minister of Mines, In- eral hoard unknown. Getting on enormous potential in minerals dustries and Technological Devel- board to explore these riches, and and natural resources. The coun- opment, Emmanuel Bonde, to once developing those already known, is try’s subsoil is rich in gold, dia- again tell the world that Cameroon what the government expects from monds, iron ore, bauxite, cobalt/ has unmatched riches buried in its investors. nickel, and uranium, to mention subsoil which could be uncovered “Our arms are open to receive you,” just a few. Authorities in the coun- for the mutual benefit of both in- the minister told potential inves- try have been using every available vestors and the country. tors. opportunity to sell this potential to The minister told investors that

-6- October 2013 / N° 9 FOCUS BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Financing Proposals from Symbiotics

microfinance investment and SME Roland com, the largest online research and The investment boutique stole the Dominicé, show during the 9th EMA Invest impact investment services, offered CEO Sym- brokerage platform in the micro- Forum in Geneva. financial intermediation services to biotics SA finance and SME impact investing over 29 investment funds special- industry. Furthermore, Symbiotics Financing investments has always ized in microfinance in addition to has hired more than 107 experts in been a problem in Cameroon and institutional investors and devel- four continents, establishing offices elsewhere. Solutions could come opment banks, invested more than in Cape Town, Geneva, Mexico City from near and far, and Symbiotics, a 1.5 billion dollars in microfinance and Singapore. Geneva, London, Mexico City, Sin- and the development of small and “Symbiotics supports financial in- gapore and Cape Town-based com- medium enterprises since 2005, and stitutions, mostly microfinance in- pany with a staff of over fifty pro- has visited and analysed over 687 stitutions but also more generally fessionals, has a role to play in this financial institutions, investing in financing intermediaries which tar- sector. Known as an “investment over 50 emerging countries. It has get micro, small and medium enter- boutique” specialized in emerging, also funded as many as 533,759 mi- prises and low income households in sustainable and inclusive finance, cro, small and medium-sized enter- emerging economies,” Chief Execu- offers research, and advisory and prises, thereby indirectly support- tive Officer, Roland Dominicé, said asset management services. Records ing access to capital and financial in his presentation in Geneva. show that since 2004, Symbiotics services for over 2 million people Mr. Dominicé said “the company has invested over 1.5 billion dollars from low-income households. stands out as one of the largest im- in more than 200 microfinance in- In addition, the company created pact investing advisor and unique stitutions in 50 emerging economy Symbiotics Asset Management, an impact bond issuance platform, countries. asset management company that structured finance and offers unique Since its launch in Geneva, Switzer- has outperformed industry bench- market research expertise.” land in December 2004, Symbiotics marks since its launch in 2008, and Cameroon could be the next desti- has positioned itself as a leader in designed and developed Syminvest. nation.

October 2013 / N° 9 -7- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON FOCUS

Attracting Julius Bär Group

The modern, forward-looking company at the leading edge of a genuine growth industry is Afri- ca-bound. Julius Bär Group, a leading Swiss private banking group, focusing on the demands of sophisticated private clients, family offices and independent asset managers from around the world, is getting ready to take on Africa. The group is completely independ- ent in each and every aspect of its business – from its focused business model and sound financials to its dedicated investment management, open product platform and expert research. It is said to be the trust- ed partner of choice and a leading premium brand in global wealth management, offering best-in-class investment solutions and advice. Its hallmark is certainly the Julius Bär bank, the principal operating company of the Julius Bär Group, with origins dating back to 1890. The rich Swiss heritage becomes manifest in the values for which the bank stands – trustworthiness, ac- countability and expertise. At its presentation during the 9th EMA Invest Forum, it was revealed that the group is Africa-bound, en- couraged by the one billion inhabit- ants on the continent. “The continent’s youthful population and the fact that it is blessed with enormous yet-to-be tapped natural resources are other attractions,” Ju- lius Bär said. Julius Bär Private Banking is built on trust and maintains on its web- Julien ment – to know that our sole priority And last but certainly not least, how site that “if contact between people is Devaux, is your satisfaction”. are you doing at the present time? Julius Bär based on trust and absolute integrity, Bank The bank also indicates that when “The thing that makes our invest- then it is of benefit for both sides. By a customer becomes a private cli- ment advice so unique is that we al- deciding on a partnership with Julius ent with Julius Bär, the following ways take plenty of time for personal Bär, you can have complete trust in questions are raised: What are your contact with you. Only in this way us to work just as hard for your assets plans for the future? What is your can we understand not only your fi- as you have worked to amass them; to level of risk tolerance? Do you want nancial but also your personal goals. manage your wealth with the utmost to build up wealth slowly and stead- Then we can direct our knowledge expertise; and above all – because we ily, see it grow quickly, or protect and expertise towards your specific focus exclusively on wealth manage- yourself against any eventualities? requirements,” Julius Bär said.

-8- October 2013 / N° 9 FOCUS BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

When Technology Reduces Poverty

EPFL Cooperation and Develop- Bertrand vanced School of Engineering, equipment, and cooling systems used KLAIBER, (Polytechnique Yaounde), support in morgues or to preserve medicine ment Centre sold the idea during EPFL the October 2013 EMA Invest Lausanne from the Ministry of Public Health and vaccines,” Mr. Klaiber said. Forum. and other NGOs. A remarkable ex- CURES’s goals include becoming a ample is the University Research world-renowned competence cen- Did you know that technology Centre on Energy for Health Care tre in the field of energy for health- could be a useful weapon in eradi- (CURES), which Bertrand Klaiber care systems, training researchers cating poverty or even nip it in the described as “a unique competence and engineers in energy-related bud? The EPFL Cooperation and center focusing on reinforcing pri- technologies, the design, implemen- Development Centre says that this mary healthcare systems in southern tation and maintenance of electri- is not only possible but effective. countries with reliable and sustain- cal systems and equipment, and in EPFL thereby aims to contribute able electricity supply”. Information conducting advanced research on to offering a response to the most on the website of CURES shows that issues related to the generation, pressing of the world’s challenges the healthcare system in Cameroon distribution, storage, management, by encouraging scientific partner- – which is representative of many protection and efficient use of elec- ships, research and education that countries in the South – suffers trical power in hospitals. It also de- can help adapt technologies and extensively from unreliable power velops technological solutions that innovations to the context of devel- grids and electrical infrastructure. are efficient, low-cost, sustainable oping countries. More particularly, problems related and adapted to the context of devel- In his presentation, EPFL’s Bertrand to electricity supply have a signifi- oping countries, and secures the de- Klaiber said that “our strategies are cant impact on the capacity of hos- ployment of solutions by studying solving problems through the de- pitals and health centres to provide their profitability, funding and sus- velopment of essential technologies, quality and modern medical care. tainability while enabling the tech- partnership with aspiring emerging “The numerous power outages se- nology transfer to local companies countries and curbing brain drain”. verely undermine the availability of and supporting entrepreneurship In Cameroon, its impact is already essential medical equipment, such as through an incubator. being felt through partnerships X-ray and ultrasound units, light- with institutions such as the Ad- ing in the operating room, analysis

October 2013 / N° 9 -9- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON FOCUS

MFI Financing: BlueOrchard Model

Heide da Jimenez Davila said that “Blue- ed the BlueOrchard Microfinance Its funds have provided nearly 2 JIMENEZ billion dollars in loans to more DAVILA, Orchard has forged strong relation- Funds which have provided nearly 2 than 260 microfinance institu- Head of ships with multiple stakeholders in billion dollars in loans to more than Investor the industry to build a stronger, more 260 microfinance institutions that tions reaching 30 million clients. Services and Com- vibrant and more inclusive global fi- reach 30 million clients. Through As a pioneer and leading invest- munica- nancial system.” the fund for instance, a microloan tions, Blue ment manager in inclusive finance, Orchard Microfinance, BlueOrchard main- can allow a seamstress to buy a sew- BlueOrchard works together with Finance tained, is at the core of a local busi- ing machine or provide a farmer investors, microfinance operators ness. with funds to buy seeds and fertiliz- and their clients in the growth “We firmly believe that on-site due er. In addition, remittance services and development of a sustaina- diligence and intimate knowledge offer a safe and efficient means for ble financial system that provides of local markets is critically impor- families to receive payments from opportunities to the world’s poor. tant in making the right investment relatives working abroad, micro The company’s presentation during decisions, both from a financial and savings accounts provide a safe the 9th Geneva EMA Invest Forum social perspective. This local field place for poor people to accumu- showed that BlueOrchard was cre- knowledge is complemented by a rig- late scarce resources, and micro-in- ated to link commercial investors orous, highly disciplined investment surance products protect families in with microfinance, providing inno- process with standardized procedures case of the death or disability of the vative products to a wide range of and high standards of excellence,” main income earner. investors. BlueOrchard said on its website. In his presentation in Geneva, Hei- The Geneva presentation highlight-

-10- October 2013 / N° 9 FOCUS BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Producing Energy From Sugar Cane soon in Cameroon domestic use, as well as ‘green’ elec- tricity from a biomass-fuelled plant that will power the ethanol refinery and supply approximately 20 per cent of the needs of the Sierra Leo- ne national grid. He said he also in- tended to implement such a project in Cameroon. Sugar cane is widely recognized as the most efficient and sustainable crop for biofuel production. With its suitable land, tropical climate and development ambitions, Sierra Leone offers favourable conditions for the initiative. Addax Bioenergy has broken new ground by integrat- ing strict social and environmental criteria from the start and through its partnership with eight interna- tional development finance institu- tions. “The respect of stringent sustaina- bility standards, the introduction of innovative social solutions and transparent business conduct reflect our ambition to become a model for sustainable bioenergy and agricul- ture investment in Africa,” Addax Bioenergy said on its website. In his presentation in Geneva on October 3, Mr. Gandur unveiled Jean Claude experience in energy generation, AOG’s vision for Sub-Saharan Af- One example is a sustainable bioe- Gandur, nergy project in Sierra Leone that CEO of among other competences, cou- rica noting that it adapts products Addax pled with its lively “can-do” spirit and services to local needs through will be operational in 2014. & Oryx Group and instinctive ability to recognise joint ventures with local entrepre- AOG Energy is proposing alterna- investment opportunities, energy neurs. tive energy production sources to shortfalls in Sub-Saharan African “Sustainable bioenergy is part of at- meet the growing needs of the Af- could be eliminated. taining the objectives of the Millenni- rican population. In a presentation Mr. Gandur gave the example of um Development Goals through the during the 9th EMA Invest Forum Addax Bioenergy, a sugar cane- reduction of carbon emissions and called Financing Energy Develop- based renewable energy company the fight against poverty and presents ment, Jean Claude Gandur, Presi- that has launched a sustainable bio- itself as an opportunity for Africa to dent of AOG, noted that energy and energy project in Sierra Leone. It is develop its agriculture, competences development are bedfellows. to produce sustainable bio-ethanol and infrastructure,” he said. He said that with the company’s from sugar cane for export and for

October 2013 / N° 9 -11- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON FOCUS

Opening the Energy Market to IPP

This brings private capital into the Rolf In its presentation during the Oc- practices by promoters. Kehlhofer, tober EMA Invest Forum in Ge- “For this to be true,” said Rolf Ke- sector and engenders competition President, with so much to gain in best prac- The Energy neva, it emerged that IPP as an in- hlhofer of the Energy Consulting Consulting tices. dependent energy producer signs Group Ltd, “the state concerned Group Ltd long-term contracts with fuel, gas must open up the market and put Independent Power Producers and charcoal providers and the en- in place attractive legal and admin- (IPP), a global non-profit industry ergy produced is sold to an energy istrative instruments for a win-win support organization mandated by distribution company through a business.” its members to work toward best tolling agreement. IPP, it was said, Cameroon is well placed in this re- practices in the power generation has the advantage of attracting gard, given that the energy sector industry, proposes itself as part private investors into the sector in the country was has been liber- of the solution to the energy cri- wherein management is efficient alized and the government intro- sis faced by many countries across and the experience of the promot- duced a law on private investment the world, Cameroon included. As er is brought to bear on the project. incentives with a wide range of fi- in Asia, the group sees a rapidly It was concluded that opening the nancial, fiscal and administrative changing and maturing world with energy market to IPP would draw considerations for would-be private an evolving commercial environ- private capital into the country and investors on April 18, 2013. ment increasingly suitable for in- stimulate the energy market thanks vestment and related activities. to competition which ushers in best

-12- October 2013 / N° 9 FOCUS BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

How to Tap IFIs

Their role in supporting private Roger M. But likewise, the sector offers huge regulation. There is also the tariff Gaillard, opportunities. gap coverage with so-called “Viabil- investment in Africa was dis- Expert in cussed during the EMA Invest the field of “There is a huge demand from popu- ity Gap Facilities” loans (sovereign financing lations [with the following features]: and non-sovereign), guarantees Forum. infras- tructure a willingness and wherewithal to pay (partial risk/credit risk), private eq- Cameroon’s infrastructure sector projects for quality services; private funds uity funds, syndicated loans (A and like those of other African countries as a necessity (Promotion of Pub- B – loan structure), risk manage- faces a lot challenges but also offers lic Private Partnerships – PPP); the ment products (SWAPS) and syn- numerous investment opportuni- need for expertise, skills, experience thetic local currency loans. ties that could be seized by private and technologies; noticeable progress On how to start a business so as to investors. And financing windows in the institutional framework and benefit from these financing win- are aplenty in the form of Interna- regulations; and the acceleration of dows, Mr. Gaillard noted the need tional Financial Institutions (IFIs). regional integration as a strategic for opening a dialogue with IFIs, free According to a presentation made priority for the International Devel- access to their private sector win- by Roger M. Gaillard during the opment Community,” Mr. Gaillard dows, attendance at workshops and October EMA Invest Forum in said. seminars sponsored by IFIs, regular Geneva, the huge deficit in energy, Mr. Gaillard noted that support, in- visits to IFI websites and databases, water, transport, health, education, struments and tools available from follow-up of specific media dedicat- and agriculture infrastructure, IFIs for private investors/operators ed to Africa (such as Agence Ecofin, yearly investment needs for Sub-Sa- of infrastructure projects are aplen- Les Afriques, Jeune Afrique, Afrique haran Africa estimated at between ty. These include, feasibility studies, Magazine, African Business, The 70 billion and 100 billion dollars, project design, project preparation, Africa Report, etc.) as well as local and a institutional and governance and financial and institutional and international chambers of com- framework, as well as conflicts and structures, and advisory services merce and professional associations, market fragmentation, are just including those of transaction ad- and lastly valuing the exchange of some of the challenges facing infra- visors, and assistance with contrac- experiences with Swiss companies structure sector in Africa. tual negotiations, tariff policy and already operating in Africa.

October 2013 / N° 9 -13- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON AGRIBUSINESS 1.5 Billion CFA Boost to Pineapple Processing in Awae

The government and pineapple produc- ers in the Awae, Méfou and Afamba Di- vision of the Centre Region have joined forces to mobilize 1.5 billion CFA to increase pineapple processing to 26,000 metric tons in 2014-15. The Minister Delegate in the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Region- al Development, Yaouba Abdoulaye, launched the Agropole programme in the area on Monday, October 14. Its ob- launch of the programme. currently recruits about 150 local young jective is to increase production from The main promoter of the programme, people, and this number could increase 12,000 metric tons per farming season Jean Baptiste Kouam, is quoted to have when activities intensify. on 150 hectares of land currently to said that the new processing plant will Mr. Abdoulaye said the government 26,000 metrics tons on 325 hectares of help producers migrate from manual is unwavering in its efforts to help the land per farming season in the next 14 processing. population find a better life and for months. . “Upon completion in 2014, the processing this reason the Agropole programme According to the Cameroon Tribune, plant will have an average processing ca- was created by Prime Ministerial de- the 1.5 billion CFA financing, 966.7 pacity of five metric tons per day and we cree on August 6, 2012. Its aim is to million CFA of which comes from pro- promise to have the first pineapple juice boost national strategies to develop the ducers with the rest coming from the from this plant in eight months,” he said. agro-pastoral sector. state, is also expected to enhance the lo- Pineapples processed in the area are Government representatives handed cal processing of 14,000 metric tons of already treated, parcelled in cartons, over a tractor, mechanised saws to clear pineapples into juice for the local and stored at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius under trees, generators, fertilizer and insecti- world markets. The processing will be the trademark “Ananas du Cameroun” cides, and other equipment and materi- improved by a new plant whose foun- (Cameroon Pineapples), and exported als to pineapple producers at the event. dation stone was also laid in the Messa within and without Africa. neigbourhood at Awae as part of the Mr. Kouam noted that the programme Agricultural Equipment Given to Mbam and Inoubou Farmers Rural women in the Mbam and Inou- by a network established by the agricul- Seyi, told the recipients of the equip- bou Division of the Centre Region have tural farming association in the division ment to use it judiciously in an effort been given farming equipment to boost (Rafami) to women in nine sub-divi- to move out of subsistence agriculture. agricultural production and improve sions of Mbam and Inoubou (Deuk, The Senior Division Officer of the di- their standards of living. Nitoukou, Bafia, Kon Yambetta, Kiiki, vision, Fritz Dikosso Seme, reportedly Hoes, machetes, wheelbarrows, mo- Ombessa, Ndikiniméki, Makénéné and told the women to use the equipment torcycles and other equipment worth Bokito ). to help them leave their lives of poverty about 3 million CFA was handed over The president of the network, Elisabeth behind.

-14- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Rice Price Hikes Cameroon-grown in Markets Rice Scarce, Expensive

The price of rice, one of the main staple foods in Cameroon, has risen by up to 50 CFA francs a kilo. Pakistani and Thai rice, which formerly cost CFA francs 400 per kilo, now sells at between 450 and 500 CFA francs per kilo while a 50 kilo sack that cost 17,500 CFA francs now sells at 19,500 CFA francs. The price hike, visible on mostly imported and highly con- sumed rice has been blamed on reduced production in the exporting countries. Retailers say there is scarcity of the product on the market. Sellers who had requested, for example, 10 sacks have received only two. Meanwhile, buyers have complained of difficulties in making ends meet after the hike, given that nothing has been added to their incomes to soothe the increase. 3 Million Hungry People in Cameroon The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Essimi Menye, has disclosed that some parts of Cameroon have in- sufficient food, either terms of quality or quantity, resulting in some 3 million citizens eating unsatisfactorily. Rice produced in Cameroon is not readily available in mar- Speaking to the press on Wednesday October 16, 2013 to kets, particularly those in Yaounde, and where it is found the launch this year’s World Food Day, the minister said the 3 price is anything but consumer-friendly. million Cameroonians represented about 15.7 per cent of the Reports say rice from Ndop, Maroua, Santchou and other pro- country’s population. duction centres does not occupy the same niche as imported To meet the challenge, the United Nations has put in place a rice. Local production is not sufficient to supply the market special fund, “TeleFood Special Fund (TSF)” to finance con- and business people say that the little that is produced is sold crete grassroots-level projects to assist poor families in de- in neighbouring countries. veloping countries and countries in transition. Its aim is to Consequently, a two-kilo packet of rice sells at 3,000 CFA improve families’ means of production, thus enabling people francs while five kilos goes for 5,000 CFA francs and low-in- to produce more food and to generate cash income. These come consumers have resorted to imported rice which is rel- projects may be implemented on a free-standing basis or in atively cheaper. The price per kilo of imported rice is between conjunction with other existing activities. 400 CFA francs and 550 CFA francs.

October 2013 / N° 9 -15- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Cameroonian Fishermen Learn Aquaculture Skills

Fishermen in Cameroon are being under the patronage of the Minister of trained by the United Nation’s Food and Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Indus- Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and tries, Dr. Taiga. the government of Japan in best prac- Cameroon spends over 100 billion CFA tices in aquaculture with the aim of in- to import almost half (200,000) metric creasing the harvest from the sector to tons of fish it consumes annually, ac- make up for the demand/supply short- cording to the Director of Fisheries and fall of fish in the country. Aquaculture in the Ministry of Live- A five-day workshop to boost the de- stock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, velopment of aquaculture in Cameroon Dr. Belal Emma, speaking at a recent began on September 23, in Yaoundé workshop in Yaoundé. Brazil Shares Cocoa Farmers Agriculture Learn Better Experience Production Skills

Cocoa farmers in the South West Region have been trained Agricultural engineers from Brazil’s Federal Institute of Edu- in better production techniques, notably how to achieve fair- cation, Science and Technology are currently training Cam- trade certification. A recent two-day workshop in Kumba took eroonian agricultural stakeholders in modern farming tech- stock of the problems that have plagued the sector for decades niques to give a push to the second-generation agriculture and sought ways to meet the challenges. sought by the State. The workshop, held at the Vianello Hotel, was organised by A training workshop for trainers began at the Binguela Prac- the Organization for Gender, Civic Engagement and Youth ticing Farming School (EPAB) in the Mefou and Akono Di- Development (OGCEYOD) and sponsored by the British vision of the Centre Region on Monday September 23, 2013. High Commission to Cameroon. Fertilizer use and training programmes were the focus of the It emerged from the workshop that production-inhibiting training. factors such as ageing plantations, ageing farmers, the rural The leader of the Brazilian delegation, Madame Fernandes, exodus, inadequate materials, increases in pests and diseases, was quoted by the Cameroon Tribune as saying that family fluctuating prices, a lack of adequate information on quality, agriculture constitutes 70 per cent of Brazil’s economy and the ineffective use of pesticides and fertilizers, and worse of all, young people need to be well trained to avert a rural exodus a lack of motivation, have held down progress in the sector. and its adverse effects. The Director of EPAB, Amougou Etogo, It was generally agreed that sustainability in the cocoa sector lauded Cameroon-Brazil cooperation as shown by the holding can only be attained if all stakeholders adhere to modern and of the training course. He said Cameroon’s agriculture is badly innovative techniques of the production, processing and mar- in need of young agricultural engineers. keting of cocoa.

-16- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Government Certifies Chicken Meat in South West Prices Affordable in Yaounde Markets

Certification is an insurance of traceabi- lity and healthiness

All meat sold in the markets of the South healthy to eat. West Region must now be certified after To ensure effective control, meat deemed officials of the Regional Delegation of fit for consumption after inspection by Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Indus- an authorised MINEPIA official will be tries (MINEPIA) launched a certifica- stamped on four areas on each half of tion campaign. the cattle carcass. The Regional Dele- According to the Regional Delegate, Dr. gate allayed fears that the ink used in the Salle Francis, the campaign is to ensure stamping exercise was harmful by stat- that meat found in the markets comes ing that it was not poisonous and was from the cattle abattoirs and slaughter- suited to the task of marking meat. houses, rather than other sources, and is Sugar production by Sosucam Drops to 110,000 Tons of Sugar in 2013 Reports from markets in Cameroon’s Cameroon’s Sugar producing company, news conference in Yaounde. capital city, Yaounde, say that chicken Sosucam, has announced that the next Mr. Yinda reportedly said that after this prices have dropped in local markets. sugar season will start on October 28, crisis, Sosucam would do everything it At Marché Mvog-Ada for instance, a 2013 with between 110,000 metric tons could to bridge the gap between demand large chicken now sells for between and 115,000 tons expected to be pro- and supply. Statistics quoted by the 1,600 CFA to 5,000 CFA, down from duced during the season. Cameroon Tribune show that national between 2,500 CFA to 7,000 CFA some The production target has been reduced demand for sugar is around 215,000 to weeks ago. from the previously expected 120,000 to 220,000 metric tons per year but sup- The drop is attributed to the return to 125,000 metric tons as a result of heavy ply is only in the region of 160,000 to school as most people struggle to finish rainfall, according to Louis Yinda, Gen- 175,000 metric tons per year. paying school fees or acquire school ma- eral Manager of Sosucam, speaking at a terials for their children.

October 2013 / N° 9 -17- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON INFRASTRUCTURES Kribi Deep Seaport 86 Billion AFD Project Recruits 1,100 Funds for Cameroonians Cameroon The coordinator of the Kribi Deep The remainder of the workers are Seaport Project in the Ocean Divi- Chinese that have been brought in in 2012 sion of the South Region has said by the Chinese contractor, China that 1,100 Cameroonians are cur- Harbour Engineering Company rently working on the site. (CHEC), which is bringing the pro- Speaking during the visit of the ject to fruition. Minister of Transport to the site on Mr. Melom said that work is in- Friday October 11, 2013, Patrice Me- tensifying on the access road to lom said that this number had been the site, expressing optimism that surpassed at one stage but it had everything would be done to finish since dwindled because some work- construction of the first phase by shops were no longer functional. June 2014. Kribi Deep Seaport Operational in June 2014 Ongoing construction work for the une, a dyke is already 90.73 per multi-billion CFA Kribi Deep Sea- cent finished while a container ter- port Project in the Ocean Division minal is 79.06 per cent complete. of the South Region is reportedly With compensation of the affect- Anne Paugam CEO of AFD more than 70 per cent complete and ed population already underway, stakeholders say the first phase will stakeholders said there is renewed The French Development Agency (AFD) pumped be operational by June 2014. commitment to give the project a some 86.2 billion CFA into Cameroon’s economy Reassuring members of the pro- significant boost. in 2012, its report for 2012 indicates. ject’s steering committee after its When Prime Minister Philemon According to the report, the agency financed the 13th session in the seaside resort Yang visited the project’s site on global economy in 2012 to the tune of 4,591 bil- on Thursday October 10, 2013, of- August 6, 2013, engineers assured lion CFA, while the 86.2 billion CFA of new fi- ficials of the contracting firm, Chi- him that of the 1,355-meter core of nancing for Cameroon has been injected into five na Harbour Engineering Company the water break, 1,323 meters were sectors of the economy. (CHEC), said work is progressing already built, while 80 per cent of The report indicates that the AFD’s support for normally and everything is being back filing and 40 per cent of dy- Cameroon’s economy has since 2006 been in the done to deliver the first phase of namic compacting was complete. neighbourhood of 942 billion CFA. The financ- the project in Mboro, 35 kilometres The dredging of an access channel ing was targeted at agriculture and rural develop- from Kribi by June 2014. and a turning circle were said to be ment, infrastructure, development of productive According to the Cameroon Trib- 70.15 per cent complete. sectors, and the social and environment sectors.

-18- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

22 Million PNDP Infrastructure Spending in the West As much as 22.8 million CFA has been invested into infra- structure projects in the West Region through the National Community Driven Development Programme (PNDP), Min- istry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development figures show. Minister Emannuel Nganou Djoumessi officially inaugurated one of these when he opened classrooms, latrines and water points in Bamefap, Bamenkombo, in the Mbouda Sub-divi- sion on Friday September 13, 2013. According to the Came- roon Tribune, the minister expressed satisfaction with the work done and promised government’s continuous efforts to help the population achieve a better standard of living. According to the PNDP coordinator for the West Region, Bon- iface Megouo, the programme financed 158 micro projects in the region to the tune of 3.5 billion CFA between 2004 and 2009. 1,600 Projects Cameroon has Financed by PNDP 4,500 Building Since 2010 Norms

Cameroon currently enforces 4,500 building norms that must be respected by everybody involved in construction, Nation- al Agency for Standards and Quality (ANOR) figures show. These norms touch on areas such as materials and standards with the aim of ensuring safety and durability of buildings. As many as 1,600 projects across the country have been fi- Information from ANOR indicates that some of these norms nanced by PNDP, Cameroon’s community-driven develop- are already obligatory and that efforts are underway to table ment programme, to the tune of 14 billion CFA since 2010, 12,000 norms by 2015, with at least 4,000 for the public build- according to French language private daily newspaper, Muta- ings sector. tions. Thirty norms are currently in use within the framework of the The newspaper reported that PNDP also worked with 329 construction of 10,000 low-cost social housing units in the council plans and recruited some 516 council staff. country. These include, among others, standards for geo-tech- The projects included the construction of 118 classrooms, 877 nical and technical studies as well as on the sand, gravel and water points and 22 integrated health centres. bricks used in construction.

October 2013 / N° 9 -19- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON FINANCE New Financial Service Provider Launched A new provider of services to Information on its website promote financial inclusion shows that PlaNet Finance was officially launched in has an international network Yaounde on Wednesday Oc- of 19 offices in Europe, North tober 2, 2013 at the Yaounde America, Latin America, Asia, Hilton Hotel. Africa and the Middle East. It runs activities in close to 50 PlaNet Finance, as it is called, countries around the world is said to be a leading provid- and offers a full set of servic- er of services contributing to es to microfinance operators, promoting and developing the notably technical assistance microfinance sector and there- in financial inclusion, busi- by enabling poor populations ness development services, excluded from financial ser- and microfinance-plus pro- vices to gain access to a loan, grammes which link microf- save or benefit from insurance inance to social development in order to create and develop programmes in the health, revenue-generating activities education and environment Jacques Attali, President and gain protection from risk. sectors. of PlaNet Finance Group Women Trained to Build Credit Portfolios About 50 women entrepreneurs in hard for the entrepreneurs, the Doua- Loans, according to credit analyst Ghis- Cameroon’s commercial and industrial la workshop also diagnosed that some lain Boukosso, are the key levers of city, Douala, have sharpened their skills female entrepreneurs had insufficient business and form the basis for devel- in meeting with requirements for ob- mastery of their business cycles – no- opment. taining loans from commercial banks tably at what stage their business needs thanks to a training workshop organ- financing and the important role played “Loans connect the funding needs of cli- ized by the Standard Chartered Bank of by a clear and truthful audit report, ents and those in excess of funding, while Cameroon under the title Building my among other difficulties. financing economic growth,” Mr. Bou- Credit Skills. kosso said. A good loan portfolio, he The Head of Compliance and Finan- added, consists of a report on the en- According to a news release published cial Crimes at Standard Chartered vironment for industries, the strengths in the Cameroon Tribune, the training Bank of Cameroon, Anna Asonganyi, and weaknesses of the enterprise, a workshop was initiated under the bank’s is quoted as saying that “as a bank, we mastery of the business enterprise cycle, employee volunteer scheme with a focus are uniquely positioned to help people the financial state of the enterprise, the on women entrepreneurs who hitherto learn about basics of credit and bank- purpose of the loan, a business plan and had difficulties with loan requirements ing, helping empower less advantaged a treasury statement. in some banks. Besides the complex groups and creating a more inclusive bank requirements that made things growth.”

-20- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

EU To Sponsor 40 Women Cooperatives Mr. Tanyi said “if women are empowered economically and legally, it would make a huge difference in family welfare as a nucleus of society and enhance national cohesion”.

Mr. Tanyi added that the EU has con- tributed some 34,000 euros to sustain the project and as such is leaving an indelible footprint in Cameroon. In the process of legalizing women coopera- The European Union (EU) is expected, General of Services, Haman Dairou, ac- tives and enabling them move from sub- in seven months, to raise awareness of companied by an EU expert on access to sistence to commercial farming, some cooperative food management and the justice, Anne Lhuillier. five free legal clinics in the North West workings of administrative and com- and South West Regions were identified mercial law courts among at least 35,000 The project aims to create food coop- to assist female business operators seek- women in rural Cameroon. eratives to replace common initiative ing their rights in administrative justice. groups (CIGs) that functioned in the The initiative, known as Moving Com- past with limited business success. The The project promises to legalize 40 munities and Changing Lives, was spokesperson of the beneficiaries, Chris- women cooperatives, five of which will kick-started in Buea, capital of the tian Tanyi, explained that 51 per cent of operate revolving funds. More than 50 South West Region, recently, under the the Cameroon population is women, 80 women representing civil society at- chairmanship of the Regional Gov- per cent of whom live in rural areas with tended the project’s launch in Buea. ernor’s representative and Inspector a livelihood based on farming. First-ever Cameroon Investors Forum in November Preparations are hotting up for Cam- eroon’s first-ever Investors Forum to be held on November 19 – 24, 2013 at a multi-purpose sports complex in Yaounde. Television spots and newspa- per insertions have been announcing the event, which is expected to rally in- vestors behind the government’s vision to make Cameroon a middle-income economy by by 2035. www.lesalondesinvestisseurs.cm

Information garnered on a website spe- ition the head of state’s desire to revamp investment charter, as well as speed up cially created for the forum indicates the economy,” the website notes. investment in the country. that sustainable investment has been a major concern of government ever since The forum will be an opportunity to en- Participants are set to include govern- the country completed the Heavily-in- courage the creation of enterprises and ment ministries, councils, public and debted Poor Countries Initiative. new jobs, create a platform for public/ quasi-public enterprises, banks, small private sector cooperation, allow pro- and medium-size enterprises and in- “The forum will be an opportunity to ject owners and potential financiers to dustries, project owners and funding continually seek ways of bringing to fru- network and popularise the country’s bodies, among others.

October 2013 / N° 9 -21- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON ENERGY 409 Solar Lamps Cameroon Along Soa Road Increasingly Embraces Renewable Energy With insufficient energy supply in Cameroon, attention is in- creasingly being focused on renewable energy sources such as solar, biogas and biomass to bridge the gap between demand and supply. Chinese-sponsored projects are leading the change including one to install 1.5 billion CFA-worth of solar lamps to light the Ngousso to Soa road, for which the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Basil Atangana Kouna, laid the foundation stone in late September. Another project foresees the construc- tion of a solar-energy plant to produce 500 MW of electricity for 1,000 localities in the country. Added to these is a project code-named mini centrales solaires photovoltaïques to pro- duce 500 MW of solar power for rural areas. Preparation for the Soa Road ceremony Concerning biogas, there is the Kribi Gas Fired Plant that al- ready produces 216 MW of energy in the country while a bi- Inhabitants of the Ngousso-Soa road in the Centre Region of omass project uses household waste to produce clean energy. Cameroon will be delivered from darkness in the near future after the Water and Energy Resources Minister, Basile Atanga- na Kouna, laid the foundation stone for a 1.5 billion CFA pro- ject to install 409 solar street lamps on Thursday, September 26 2013, on the campus of the University of Yaounde II in Soa. Cameroon Wants A factsheet about the project indicated that the Chinese con- tractor, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, is to deliver the lamps in November 2013. The Director General of Huawei Cameroun, to Regulate Ni Zheng, is quoted by the Cameroon Tribune as saying that Huawei will do everything possible to respect the deadline. Seventy five of the lamps have already been installed on the Biogas Production campus of the University of Yaounde II. Efforts are underway to put in place legal instruments guiding The project is expected to completely illuminate the rest of the production of biogas in Cameroon. Soa, which is already 80 per cent electrified. According to fig- Even though the country does not yet figure on the list of biogas ures, only eight of the 39 villages that make up the Soa council production and consumption countries, the idea is to ensure had yet to be electrified. that once experiments that are carried out in the country are Speakers during the ceremony lauded the move to diversify concluded and the gas produced, it should be regulated by law. sources of energy supply in the country. Mr. Atangana Kouna Stakeholders in the sector including researchers, public offi- said his ministry would hold discussions with the government cials and representatives of civil society met in Yaounde on delegate to the Yaounde City Council in coming days to seek Wednesday October 9, 2013, to reflect on ways of preparing other sources of financing for such projects. The minister said the document. The need for the document has been under- such investments could offer additional sources of revenue to lined by reports of voices being raised about the risks posed by the concerned council areas. the energy source, especially when it is mass-produced.

-22- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

South Korea to train Cameroon’s Hydro Infrastructure Developers country will be needed per year. For the well as give financial approval to the list first year, the training will bring togeth- of programme of participants through er high and middle level officials in the consultation with partner organiza- water resources management sector and tions. Meanwhile, partner countries are for the second year, it will be the turn expected to nominate qualified partici- of high and middle officials in the water pants at least two months prior to the supply sector. Meanwhile, practical pro- programme’s commencement and co- fessionals in the water supply sector will operate fully in its design. round off the programme in the third To achieve results-based management year. of the programme, both sides agreed to Through the MoU, KOICA has under- cooperate in its monitoring and evalua- taken to provide full financial support tion. The agreements were signed in the for the preparation, implementation presence of Cameroon’s Minister of Wa- Basile Atangana Kouna, Minister of Water and evaluation of the programme and ter Resources and Energy, Basile Atanga- Resources and Energy provide necessary administrative sup- na Kouna, and South Korea’s Ambassa- Stakeholders in hydro infrastructure port for the programme participants as dor to Cameroon, Cho June-Hyuck. development and related sectors in Cameroon will benefit from the exper- tise of South Korea in this field during the period from 2013 to 2015. The Ko- rea International Cooperation Agency Fundraising to Ensure (KOICA), the Korea Water Resources Cooperation and Cameroon’s Ministry of Water Resources and Energy signed Sight a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday October 10, 2013 concerning the implementation of a multi-year capacity development initi- ative to be known as the “Hydro-Infra- structure Development and Management Programme.” According to the explanatory note of the MoU, the training programme is country demand-driven and tailored to different country circumstances and de- velopment statuses. The agreement was therefore intended to create a frame- work for cooperation between the two sides and in no way created any legal ob- ligations under international law. “Co- operation activities under this agreement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations and proce- dures of both sides and will be subject to the availability of appropriate funds and personnel on each side,” the note reads. As part of World Sight Day 2013, Stand- in the Cameroon Tribune, the bank said According to the terms of reference, ard Chartered bank will host fundrais- that Standard Chartered Cameroon had the programme is intended to improve ing events across its 70 markets to raise organized a fundraising gala on October public officials’ capacity in terms of 100 million US dollars for the Seeing is 12, 2013 at St. John Plaza under the pa- water resources development and man- Believing by 2020 Project. This will be in tronage of Manu Dibango. agement not only in Cameroon but in partnership with leading eye-care NGOs “In Cameroon, we have helped over the Democratic Republic of Congo and to help eliminate avoidable blindness. 10,000 people since the launch of the pro- Tunisia. Five participants from each According to a news release published gramme in 2003,” the statement said.

October 2013 / N° 9 -23- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON WOOD Forest Management Cameroon and Monitoring Project Acquires makes ‘Satisfactory’ Logging Progress Control Member countries of the Central African Software Forest Commission (COMIFAC) have described as satisfactory strides made An authority in Cameroon’s Ministry half-way through the 18-month Nation- of Forestry and Wildlife has said that al Forestry Monitoring System (NFMS) the ministry has acquired new data col- project, part of the Monitoring, Report- this thematic group to fine-tune the plan lection software that has been fully in- ing and Verification (MRV) initiative for of action that contains details of activities tegrated into its cartographic database the Congo Basin forest zone. and budgets,” he said. service. The programme, ArcGIS 10.1 National experts, focal points and other After 18 months, Mr. Momo said, the Mapping Software, which is a gift of the stakeholders, meeting in Yaounde from plan of action to be developed will be- World Resources Institute (WRI), aims October 7-11, 2013, to evaluate steps come an advocacy tool to be submitted to collect information about forests and taken nine months after the start of the to the African Development Bank and timber in order to understand exactly project, noted that most member coun- the Congo Basin Forest Fund for fund- how much timber is being exploited. tries had put in place effective training ing so that the National Forestry Moni- The overall objective is to help evaluate to ensure that the project will reach a toring System can be implemented. how much timber contributes to the successful conclusion. “A good monitoring system will help the economy of the country and how much Presiding over the information-shar- country to benefit from the Redd+ process is probably lost to illegal exploiters. The ing forum that rounded off five-days of which requires yearly amounts of gas to be software, according to the National Co- evaluation on Friday October 11, Cam- sequestrated (carbon), the price of which ordinator of the WRI, Duclaire Mbou- eroon’s Minister of the Environment, can be negotiated on the carbon market na, has been installed on computers in Nature Protection and Sustainable De- and through which agriculture will be the forestry department as well as in the velopment, Pierre Hele, said that since supported,” Mr. Momo said. mapping units of the South and East Re- launching the project, Cameroon has Like Mr. Momo, the Country Repre- gional Delegations of MINFOF, the area redoubled efforts to reduce the emission sentative of the UN Food and Agricul- where the greater part of the country’s of greenhouse gasses, conserve and sus- ture Organization, Mai Moussa Abari, forest cover is located. tainably manage forests, and enhance said the project will also help the coun- According to the Cameroon Tribune, forest carbon stocks as part of interna- try understand how territory is being the WRI has been giving out technical tional climate mitigation efforts – all managed in terms of human activity. advice as well as training some ministry hallmarks of the project. COMIFAC was established in 2005, at a staff in techniques of data collection and According to Achille B. Momo, National summit of the Central Africa Heads of management. Its grant falls in line with Expert, MRV Project, UN-REDD Pro- State in Brazzaville, to act as a regional the main activity of the WRI, which gramme, Cameroon has already put in forum for the conservation and sustain- concentrates on technology transfer to place a thematic group which will work able joint management of forest ecosys- the Cameroonian government. on a tele-detection and geographic in- tems in Central Africa. The countries The World Resources Institute is a formation system, as well as a national include Cameroon, Central African Re- non-governmental organisation based forest inventory. public, Democratic Republic of Congo, in Washington DC. It signed a collab- “The two groups are working to develop a Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Chad, Bu- oration agreement with the Cameroon plan of action. We still need to meet with rundi, Sao Tomé and Rwanda. government in 2002.

-24- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON TOURISM Cameroon’s Tourism to Emerge The 38th congress of Africa’s Travel Asso- on tourism matters in Africa between with partner organisations on tourism ciation held in the South West regional member countries, presents opportuni- matters in Africa. capital Buea, is expected to give a sig- ties for members to market and show- The ATA also partners with the African nificant boost to the country’s tourism case their products and services, offers Union Commission to promote the sus- market. The congress was an opportuni- members continual education, training tainable development of tourism to and ty to sell the unrealised tourism poten- and learning opportunities, helps mem- across Africa. Its annual events in Africa, tial of Cameroon to the rest of the world bers increase business through expo- such as that held in Buea, and the Unit- and possibly create networks that could sure, networking and referrals, organ- ed States bring together industry and boost the sector. ises events where tourism stakeholders government leaders to shape Africa’s Information on ATA’s website shows meet to discuss issues of common inter- tourism agenda. that the world-class Buea congress pro- est and concern, and conducts research vides a networking, learning and agen- da-shaping platform for 300-to-500 travel professionals from around the world. It addressed timely industry top- ics and offered professionals develop- World Bank Faults ment opportunities. There were round- tables for tourism ministers, an African Bazaar for buyers and sellers, network- Cameroon’s Tourism ing events, host country days, and pre- and post- country tours. The conference served as an opportu- Governance nity to sell Cameroon’s tourism market According a World Bank Report on tour- mestic Product. and hold discussions about new mar- ism as a tool for growth in Africa, Came- However, information from Cameroon’s kets, as well as carry out media trips in roon is classed among 15 others who have Ministry of Tourism and Leisure indi- the Littoral and South West Regions as potential in tourism and show interest cates that 817,000 tourists visited Cam- the subject of the first topic and the Lit- in developing their tourism sectors, but eroon in 2012. The number represents a toral and Centre Regions for the second. whose efforts are considered “inadequate”. marked improvement from 2008 when Besides selling Cameroon as a tour- The World Bank notes in the report that the country received 487,000 tourists. In ism destination to the rest of the world Cameroon is placed among countries 2009 there were 498,000 tourists, in 2010 with the view to improve the number of whose tourism contributes between 1 there were 573,000 tourists, while in 2011 tourists who visit Cameroon (817,000 and 1.9% to the country’s Gross Do- 604,052 tourists visited Cameroon. in 2012), the Buea ATA event was also an opportunity to seek ways of attaining the objectives of the 1975 association GOV’T PUTS OFF PRIVATIZATION OF HOTELS to promote travel, tourism and trans- Since 2012, the government has decided be auditioned by the support Council port to and within Africa, as well as in to privatize some of its hotels. According for the implementation of partnership strengthening intra-Africa partnerships. to the policy, the management of 24 agreements (Carpa). The ATA advocates Africa as a leading hotels and parks in seven regions of the But in a statement in the state-run global travel destination, raises aware- country should pass into private hands to bilingual daily, the Cameroon Tribune ness of Destination Africa’s diverse improve efficiency and profitability. on August 16, the Minister of Tou- travel products, promotes positive news In March 2012, rfter starting the scree- rism announced the suspension of the about Destination Africa, develops and ning of potential candidates to take over process. A source told the government promotes travel programmes to and this important heritage, the Minister of daily that disagreements between across Africa and assists country and Tourism, Bello Bouba Maïgari, called members of the ad hoc committee in private sector members with marketing up shortlisted candidates for what was the selection process of candidates, was and promotion. It also serves as a liaison termed a pre-qualification dialogue to at the origin of this turn of events.

October 2013 / N° 9 -25- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON TELECOM Better Wireless Central Africa IT Solutions Prepares Proposals for Cameroon for Geneva Radio Companies Conference Telecommunication stakeholders in Central Africa are working to harmonise the proposals they will present to the world radio com- munications conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in Novem- ber 2015.

A four-day international work- shop took place in Yaoundé on ITU Secretary-General September 23-26, 2013 where pro- Hamadoun Touré Advanced communications solutions based on Long Term Evo- posals from the sub-region were lution (LTE) technology, a Fourth Generation (4G) standard, gathered and shared with other member states. have been presented to the business community in Douala by representatives of Huawei at a workshop organised by the Chi- According to Jean Jacques Massima, representative of the In- nese information technology firm in Cameroon’s economic ternational Telecommunication Union for Central Africa and capital on September 17, 2013. Madagascar, the attribution of frequencies and their allocation to services such as satellite, mobile and aeronautics lie behind Allen Lu, Sales Manager for Huawi, said that the 4G technology the harmonised approach. presented at the workshop differed from previous communi- cations standards in that, besides voice, it can carry video and “Mobile is more and more demanding in terms of frequencies messages, save information and pictures, and so on. According and that is why we are moving from analogue to digital to free to the Cameroon Tribune, Mr. Lu gave an example of how Hua- frequencies for use by other services,” he said. wei technology could save lives as well as improve operational efficiency. Kezias Mwale, Technical Coordinator at the African Telecom- munications Union, said that more than 30 per cent of fre- With an e-LTE Huawei solution for emergency workers, he said, quencies are now designated for mobile broadband. a command centre can send the police, fire fighters or medical personnel to respond to emergencies through a shared voice “Now we need a plan for the sustainable management of the fre- service while, at the same time, such personnel can send video quencies. It is for the sub-region to focus and see which way to to the command centre which can in turn forward the video go. The Geneva conference is expected to confirm the frequencies to all members associated with the group. In this way all those that will be redeemed from analogue television to mobile broad- concerned could actually see the problem at hand. band. It is very important for Africa because these frequencies are more suited for rural mobile broadband,” Mr. Mwale said. Since 2005, Huawei has worked on projects such as wireless fixed phones (CT Phone) and fibre cables, as well as providing The ongoing workshop is also working on a management equipment to Cameroon’s mobile telecommunication compa- strategy for frequencies in border countries within the Central nies to improve its communication systems. African sub-region.

-26- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

MTN Donates Multimedia Centre to Ngoumou School The MTN Foundation has donated a multimedia centre to the Government High School in Ngoumou in the Cen- tre Region. The inauguration ceremo- ny took place at the school’s premises on Thursday October 10, 2013 and was presided over by the Senior Divi- sion Officer of the Mefou and Akono Division, David Embe, in the presence of the Executive Secretary of the MTN The Ngoumou Government High ers, throughout Cameroon, 70 per cent Foundation, Jean-Melvin Akam, and the School, the news release further states, of whom are in rural areas,” the MTN Friends of the MTN Foundation. will also benefit from nine months of Foundation release notes. free access to the Internet as well as one According to a news release from the year of training for the multimedia cen- By creating multimedia centres, MTN MTN Foundation, the Ngoumou Gov- tre’s users by IAI Cameroon. contributes to an initiative launched by ernment High School multimedia cen- the government in November 2001 to tre will connect a community of 1,100 “The Ngoumou Government High School reduce the digital divide at schools, and pupils and more than 50 teaching staff multimedia centre is the 37th installed put at the disposal of the pupils a pow- to the new digital world. The centre by the MTN Foundation which to date erful tool to properly prepare for the fu- features more than 20 computers with provides access to ICTs (information ture and better integrate themselves into a high-speed connection to the Internet and communication technologies) to the digital world of tomorrow. and a multi-functional colour printer. over 60,000 students and 4,000 teach- 3 Billion CFA to Refurbish 21 Community Radio Stations Benoît Sossou, the government of Cam- eroon will disburse 3.046 billion CFA to UNESCO to carry out the work.

Mr. Djoumessi said the refurbishment programme is part of government’s development objectives as stated in its Growth and Employment Strategy Pa- per. UNESCO is bringing in technical expertise comprising the training of community radio station staff and man- agers of the multi-media centres.

The government plans to put in place 100 The government of Cameroon has According to the terms of the accord community radio stations in rural areas reached a deal with the United Nations signed in Yaounde on September 18, by 2020 to bring to at least 75 per cent the Educational, Scientific and Cultural 2013 between the Minister of the Econ- number of rural dwellers with access to Organization (UNESCO) for the refur- omy, Planning and Regional Develop- their services. Mr. Sossou is quoted by the bishment of 21 community radio sta- ment, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, Cameroon Tribune as saying that UNES- tions and the creation of 15 multi-me- and the representative of UNESCO’s CO was ready to stand by the government dia community centres in the country. Regional Bureau in Central Africa, in mobilizing resources to meet this target.

October 2013 / N° 9 -27- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON DEVELOPMENT World Bank Projects 5.3% Growth Rate for Africa in 2014

The growth rate in Africa could reach and 30 per cent by 2030.” 5.3 per cent in 2014, the World Bank has The report suggested that most of the said in its recent twice-yearly analysis world’s poor people by 2030 would live of the issues shaping Africa’s economic in Africa. prospects, Africa’s Pulse. “Sustaining Africa’s strong growth over “GDP growth in Africa will continue to the longer term while significantly reduc- rise and pick up to 5.3 per cent in 2014 ing poverty and strengthening people’s and 5.5 per cent in 2015. Strong govern- resilience to adversity may prove difficult ment investments and higher production because of the many internal and external Makhtar Diop, Vice President for Africa, in the mineral resources, agriculture and uncertainties African countries face,” said World Bank service sectors are supporting the bulk of Makhtar Diop, the World Bank Group’s Bank Africa Region. the economic growth,” the report stated. Vice President for Africa. According to Africa’s Pulse, as the con- The report specified that economic Despite strong growth, Africa’s progress tinent moves closer to the centre stage growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at ensuring that growth translates into in the global fight against poverty, coun- remains strong with growth forecast to considerably less poverty has been slow tries will need to invest in improving be 4.9 per cent in 2013: “Almost a third and hindered by high inequality. their weak statistical capacity to be able of countries in the region are growing at “Africa grew faster in the last decade than to better track and respond to their pov- 6 per cent and more, and African coun- most other regions, but the impact on pov- erty and national account estimates. tries are now routinely among the fast- erty is much less than we would’ve liked. Regular, reliable statistics, it notes, are est-growing countries in the world.” Africa’s growth has not been as powerful essential to measure development pro- Africa’s Pulse notes that poverty and in- in reducing poverty as it could have been gress and policy analysis and yet Afri- equality remain “unacceptably high and because of the high levels of inequality. ca’s statistics were left wanting, which the pace of reduction unacceptably slow... Growth with equity is possible, but it re- is why the World Bank was redoubling Almost one out of every two Africans lives quires a decline in inequality in both out- its support to countries to improve the in extreme poverty today. Optimistically, comes and opportunities,” said Francisco quality and frequency of their data and that rate will fall to between 16 per cent Ferreira, Acting Chief Economist, World statistics. Kuwait Fund Prospects in Cameroon The Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic tember 18, 2013. structure, the acquisition of equipment Development, the first institution in the The construction of the school in Ek- and the training of trainers, among oth- Middle East to take an active role in in- ounou is part of a project for the de- er activities. ternational development efforts, is cur- velopment of technical education. Five Information posted on the website of rently scanning business opportunities other schools are in the pipeline, nota- the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic in Cameroon with a focus on financing bly in Nsam in the Centre Region, in Development indicated that it extends the construction of Government Tech- Maroua in the Far North, in Akwa in the loans on concessionary terms to finance nical High School in Ekounou, Yaounde. Littoral, in Ombe in the South West and development projects in developing A four-man expert team, led by Tariq in Kribi in the South Regions in a pro- countries. The fund also provides tech- El Menayes, received an audience with ject worth a total of 27.23 billion CFA. nical assistance to finance the cost of the the Minister of the Economy, Planning The project encompasses carrying out feasibility studies into projects, as well as and Regional Development, Emmanuel civil engineering works, the refurbish- the training of nationals of the borrow- Nganou Djoumessi, on Wednesday Sep- ment and extension of existing infra- ing countries.

-28- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

23 billion CFA Youth Entrepreneurship Project Gets Underway The MTN Foundation has donated a “The Ngoumou Government High School multimedia centre to the Government multimedia centre is the 37th installed High School in Ngoumou in the Cen- by the MTN Foundation which to date tre Region. The inauguration ceremo- provides access to ICTs (information ny took place at the school’s premises and communication technologies) to on Thursday October 10, 2013 and over 60,000 students and 4,000 teach- was presided over by the Senior Divi- ers, throughout Cameroon, 70 per cent sion Officer of the Mefou and Akono Essimi Menye, Minister of Agriculture and of whom are in rural areas,” the MTN Division, David Embe, in the presence Rural Development Foundation release notes. of the Executive Secretary of the MTN features more than 20 computers with Foundation, Jean-Melvin Akam, and the a high-speed connection to the Internet By creating multimedia centres, MTN Friends of the MTN Foundation. and a multi-functional colour printer. contributes to an initiative launched by the government in November 2001 to According to a news release from the The Ngoumou Government High reduce the digital divide at schools, and MTN Foundation, the Ngoumou Gov- School, the news release further states, put at the disposal of the pupils a pow- ernment High School multimedia cen- will also benefit from nine months of erful tool to properly prepare for the fu- tre will connect a community of 1,100 free access to the Internet as well as one ture and better integrate themselves into pupils and more than 50 teaching staff year of training for the multimedia cen- the digital world of tomorrow. to the new digital world. The centre tre’s users by IAI Cameroon. 16.9 Million CFA Pajer-U Gives Over for 37 Adamawa 19.7 Million CFA Youngsters to South West Young People The National Support Programme for Urban and Rural Youth, Pajer-U, has selected some 48 projects in the South West re- gion to be funded by the programme to the tune of 19.72 mil- lion CFA. The refundable loan to the 48 young people is intended to em- Some 37 young people in the Adamawa region have been giv- power them economically in line with the main objective of en 16.9 million CFA to boost entrepreneurial activities. The assisting youth in socio-economic integration. projects were selected from among 1,235 others, and will ben- The Head of Mission for the Credit Committee and a senior efit from financing from the Urban and Rural Youth Project, official of the National Coordination of Pajer-U, Henri Aime known as Pajer-U, in 2013. The youngsters came from Vina, Biheng, said during a committee meeting at the Regional Del- Djérem, Mayo Banyo, Faro and Déo and Mbéré. egation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education on September The interest-free loans ranged from 250,000 CFA to 1 million 16 that some 48 files had been selected from throughout the CFA and will go into agriculture, hairdressing, cattle rearing region with 25 selected from applicants in the Bakassi zone and other projects. while the rest had been distributed to the other five divisions The national coordinator of Pajer-U, Pierre Matongo, was of the region. quoted as saying that everything was being done to right the Created in 2007, more than 3,519 youth projects nationwide wrongs of the first phase wherein reimbursements posed a se- have benefited from the loan scheme with 300 of them in the rious problem. South West region.

October 2013 / N° 9 -29- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON TA X Revenue Collection Drops Below Projection pected 669 billion CFA, the ministry announced.

The taxation department however raised 21.3 billion CFA more than it had in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the customs department collected 287.7 billion CFA by end of June, down from the projected 311 bil- lion CFA. The performance is also below that of the same period in 2012 when the customs department recovered 294.8 billion CFA.

Revenue collection by Cameroon’s year, the Ministry of Finance said in a According to the ministry’s news release, customs and taxation administra- news release on Friday September 20, revenue from petrol topped 321.6 bil- tions has fallen below expectations 2013. The taxation department col- lion by end of June 2013 up from 300.4 in the first half of the ongoing fiscal lected 602 billion CFA, below an ex- billion in the same time period in 2012. State Accountants Learn Best Practices Some 170 accountants and revenue According to the Cameroon Tribune, collectors from public and semi-pub- the participants, who were drawn from lic enterprises in the West Region have public and semi-public establishments been trained in best practices in revenue and departments in the West Region, collection and accounting that can opti- were studied topics such as: the legal mize the management of public financ- framework governing revenue collec- es in the country. A one-day capacity tion and the need to respect roles and building workshop in Bafoussam helped regulations binding public revenue the accountants to become familiar with collection; the legislative instrument new guidelines on performance-based authorising total or partial use of such public revenue collection. revenue collected; and the role that all unassigned revenue collected must be Chaired by Peka Nsangou, Inspector of paid into public treasury within a de- Treasury in the Directorate General of fined time frame. Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, the which fully went operational on January workshop was directed by Jean Ndzana, Speaking at the workshop, Mrs. Nsangou 1, 2013, it was imperative to update the Paymaster General for the West Region is quoted to have said that with the in- working skills and knowledge of public and held on October, 8, 2013. troduction of the programme budget accountants.

-30- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

Tax Recovery Picks Up After a 77 billion CFA deficit in the The improvement in performance, ac- CFA, recording a 112 per cent improve- second quarter of 2013, the taxation cording to the Director General of Tax- ment on performance given that an ad- department has witnessed an improve- es, Modeste Mopa Fatoing interviewed ditional 11 billion CFA was collected,” he ment in the third quarter. Of the 266 by the Cameroon Tribune, is thanks to said. billion CFA expected from the depart- revised recovery strategies. Enlarging ment in July, August and September, the tax base and reinforcing the follow These actions have reduced the 77 bil- the taxation department recovered up on and control of tax payers, as well lion CFA gap recorded in the first and 292.7 billion CFA. The performance as fiscal control, were among the revi- second quarters to about 50 billion CFA. represents 110 per cent improvement sions that were implemented. Completely bridging the gap to attain given that a 26.7 billion CFA surplus the 1,214 billion CFA objective by De- was collected. The performance, Mr. Mopa Fatoing cember 31, 2013 is now the priority of said, is the fruit of innovations brought the taxation administration. Its director The first quarter performance was eval- in by a new management team under his general said that besides upholding the uated as an 88 per cent improvement control. He noted that for the first time, strategies that have served to reverse given that of the expected 680 billion the taxation department went above its the first quarter trends, he and his team CFA, 602 billion CFA was effectively expected monthly recovery. were also working on devising more ef- collected. Up to 1,214 billion CFA are ficiencies to transform that vision into expected from the taxation department “In July, our objective was to recover 92 reality. by December 31, 2013. billion CFA but we recovered 103 billion Customs Revenue Drops Again The performance of the customs de- year emerged as unsatisfactory at its billion CFA expected from the customs partment in recovering revenue for third coordination meeting for the year department by August 31, 2013, only the state budget for the ongoing fiscal on Friday October 3, 2013. Of the 420 394 billion CFA had been collected.

Although the performance is below expectations, the Director General of Customs, Minette Libom Li Likeng is quoted by the Cameroon Tribune as saying that there is hope that the target assigned to the customs administration this fiscal year is still attainable. The 394 billion CFA amount is barely above the 638 billion CFA expected from the customs administration and officials said the three remaining months of the year would give them the opportunity to hit the target.

Mrs. Libom Li Likeng attributed the performance to disengagement by revenue collectors, promising that everything would be done to gather the remainder needed to attain the 638 bil- lion CFA target by December 31, 2013. She said 118 billion CFA had yet to be collected from some users in recent months.

“Had the money already been collected, we would have gone above expectations,” she said.

October 2013 / N° 9 -31- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON PUBLIC MANAGEMENT BEAC Sharpens Money Laundering Combat Skills The Bank of Central African States One of the recommendations of the (BEAC) has advocated the effective ap- workshop was increase the effective col- plication of regulations on the preven- laboration between member countries tion of and fight against money laun- and competent authorities in the fight dering and the financing of terrorism against economic crimes both at nation- in the sub-region by member countries al, sub-regional and international levels. of the Central African Economic and Monetary Committee (CEMAC). Mr. Abaga Nchama is quoted by the Cameroon Tribune to have said during The governor of BEAC, Lucas Abaga the closing ceremony that surveillance Nchama, made the appeal at the end will be stepped up and detection com- of a recent four-day capacity building puter software procured. The Action Lucas Abaga Ncham, Governor of BEAC and information sharing workshop in Group against Money Laundering in Yaounde on the stakes and challenges Central Africa, (GABAC), whose role dering and terrorism financing and the of the scourge of money laundering is to lead, coordinate and boost actions various national agencies for financial and terrorism financing in the sub-re- undertaken by CEMAC member states investigations were urged to redouble gion. as part of the fight against money laun- their efforts. Government Hands Down PIB Responsibilities A prime ministerial decree of Septem- the decree, work in synergy to correct execution of the projects will also be a ber 13, 2013 created national, regional, mistakes in the execution of the PIB and priority of the committees. divisional and communal physical and ensure its projects are satisfactory. The decree is aimed at improving the financial follow-up committees to en- All the committees are instructed to in- worrying state of the execution of PIB sure efficiency, timeliness and transpar- form the population about the public projects which was anything but sat- ency of the public investment budget investment projects in localities each isfactory for the first quarter of 2013. (PIB) in Cameroon. It specifies their fiscal year. They are also to ensure the Mid-year statistics from the Ministry of respective roles with participatory and respect of projects contained in the pro- Economy, Planning and Regional De- results-driven management as underly- ject’s logbook by all interested parties, velopment showed that the rate of exe- ing principles. the respect of the public contracts award cution stood at 34 per cent for engage- Placed under the auspices of the min- program and ensure the physical execu- ments and 22 per cent for completion ister in charge of public investment in tion of the programmed projects. They – far below projections. the Ministry of Economy, Planning and are also to contribute to the drafting of This performance was blamed largely Regional Development (MINEPAT), the performance reports and prepare up-to- on poor mastery of the notion of re- committees incorporate a wide spec- date statistics on the execution of PIB sults-based programs, poor mastery of trum of responsibilities along the PIB projects so that the performance of state public contract reforms and the rele- chain, giving specific tasks to each in- budget can be evaluated. Appraising vant code, and, last but not least, the bad terested party. Representatives from the the level of satisfaction of beneficiaries faith of some actors in the chain. government administration, the legisla- of the projects as well as improving the ture and civil society, will, according to information from civil society on the

-32- October 2013 / N° 9 BUSINESS IN CAMEROON

HENRI FRÉDÉRIC CASTING EWELE, NEW GM OF CHANAS

Henri Frédéric Ewele, 56, has beeen appointed General Manager of Chanas Assurance Company. The firm’s Board of Directors installed the new mgen- eral manager into office on Monday September 23, 2013, in Douala. Information published by the Came- roon Tribune indicated that before get- ting the company’s top job, Mr. Ewele had worked for Chanas Assurance Company for eight years. Prior to his appointment as general manager, Mr. Ewele was the Deputy General Manager in charge of technical operations. He is expected to modernize the functioning CAMEROON CHAIRS KEY of the over 60-year company whose capital is reportedly worth 4.6 billion CFA. AVIATION COMMITTEE JOËL ROUX, NEW GM OF Cameroon has been elected to chair the Administrative Commit- CFAO TECHNOLOGIES tee of the 38th general assembly of the International Civil Aviation CAMEROUN Organisation (ICAO), currently being held in Montreal, Canada. Joël Roux has been appointed to the According to information in Cameroon’s national bilingual position of General Manager of CFAO daily newspaper, the Cameroon Tribune, the election took Technologies Cameroun, a major play- place on Tuesday September 24, 2013, during the open- er in the information and communi- ing ceremony of event . Pierre Tankam, Director General cation technologies sector in Africa, of Cameroon’s Civil Aviation Authority, represents Cam- Richard Nouni, the General Manager eroon’s chairmanship on the committee, which has been of CFAO Technologies, recently an- tasked with drawing up and proposing to the general nounced in Douala. The appointment assembly the ICAO’s budget of ICAO for the next three of Mr. Roux is set to give a boost to the years, and looking into the contribution of member coun- company’s new programme, Mr. Nouni said. tries. Mr. Nouni said that the company had launched an oper- “France was elected to chair the Executive Committee and ation to revamp their sectors for better services and that the presidents of the other three committees which are “Joël Roux has come to put customers and services at the expected to draft a three-year (2014-2016) civil aviation centre of this strategy”. development policy across the globe, were also designated: Information on its website indicated that CFAO Technol- Brazil is chairing the Economic Committee; Jamaica, the ogies has developed a wide and integrated range of high Legal Committee; and, Malaysia the Technical Commit- value-added services, particularly in the voice transmission, tee,” the Cameroon Tribune reported. data and image processing sectors which the new general Some 2,050 delegates representing member States of manager is expected to promote. ICAO and aeronautic industry are taking part in the as- He replaces Linus Nkule in that post. sembly in Canada, which focuses on air transport econom- CFAO Technologies provides solutions at all stages of a ics and navigation fields at the operational, management customer’s IT system lifecycle including consulting, devis- and policy levels. ing solutions, installation, maintenance and optimization. Running until October 4, 2013, the event gathers the At present, it has a footprint in 20 French-speaking Af- world’s civil aviation experts to put in place strategies for rican countries and Algeria and is organized around seven the management of the sector. Civil aviation safety and se- subsidiaries and four areas of expertise. CFAO Technol- curity, the development of air transport, protection of the ogies is part of the CFAO Group, a leader in specialized environment and of customers are among the issues that distribution and services in Africa and the French overseas are expected to be addressed. territories.

October 2013 / N° 9 -33- BUSINESS IN CAMEROON UP & DOWN

ALPHONSE MICHEL NAFACK NGAPANOUN

With 20 years of experience Michel Ngapanoun, the Gener- under his belt, Alphonse Na- al Manager of Hysacam, a waste fack became General Manag- management company, has been er of Afriland First Bank, in found guilty of “theft and de- 2012 after former Afriland struction” with respect to the general manager Alamine wrecking of Clinique du Berceau, Ousmane Mey was appointed a private hospital in the econom- Cameroon’s finance minister ic capital of Cameroon, Douala. in 2011. Mr. Nafack joined On Monday October 21, 2013, the court of first in- the bank in 2001 as head of stance in Douala passed judgment on the case between the project department, and the Mr. Ngapanoun and the proprietor of the clinic, became director of corporate banking in 2004 before Dr. Roger Ngoulla Nkenlac. The owner and his land- being elevated to the post of Deputy General Manager lord, Mr. Tchinoun, continue to pursue Mr. Ngapa- in 2008. In his current role, Mr. Nafack has been able noun on charges of “abuse of power”. Even a barrister, to consolidate the achievements of the bank, explore Ernest Njoumé, who acted as the bailiff that execut- new markets, and help to maintain the institution’s ed the order to destroy the premises of the clinic was coveted position. found guilty of charges. The case had been dragging on Among Afriland First Bank’s recent achievements has since 2008. been the introduction of MasterCard services, after The court ordered the defendants to pay all costs, as- having previously introduced Visa. In recent weeks, sessed at 45 million francs. Mr. Ngapanoun and Mr. clients of the bank, which is the leader on the Cam- Njoumé, will “jointly” pay 750 million francs to the eroonian market, can now subscribe to the credit card. owner of the clinic, according to the daily Le Quotidien Like Visa, which the bank has been providing for de l’économie, in compensation for 500 million francs years, MasterCard, an international payment card, al- carted away during the destruction ordered by the lows the holder to withdraw cash from the ATMs of Mr. Ngapanoun. other banks, even when abroad. Concerning the material and drugs destroyed during Afriland First Bank is therefore one of the first Cam- the incident, the court estimated the value of the lost eroonian banks to market both Visa cards and Mas- assets at 201.3 million francs. Compensation for the terCard. The new offer is available in three forms: lack of earnings to the owner of the clinic for the col- Prepaid, for which the holder is not required to hold lapse of the business was valued at 340 million francs. a bank account, and Premium and Gold, which are au- As for the non-material harm to the reputation of Dr. tomatically related to bank accounts. Ngoulla Nkenlac, Mr. Ngapanoun and the co-accused In the total balance sheet of the bank, assets increased were ordered to pay 200 million francs. from 570 billion CFA as of December 31, 2011 to 660 Moreover, Mr. Ngapanoun was ordered to pay the billion CFA on March 3, 2013, a substantial increase complainant 153 million francs by the tribunal, for loss of 90 billion CFA francs. For Mr. Nafack, this increase and hurt feelings. is linked to the opening of new branches in Dschang, The defendant is not ready to go down without a fight. Mbouda, and Bertoua in 2012 and in Mendong, Mim- His lawyer, Fabien Kenge filed an appeal on the day boman and Kumba since the beginning of 2013. the judgment was handed down. According to the Bank of Central African States Mr. Ngapanoun bought the building, the family prop- (BEAC), Afriland First Bank led the region in mobi- erty of the Tchinous’, in 2006 during an auction organ- lizing savings in 2012. ized by Bicec, a local commercial bank. The two-storey building had 40 wards and was bought for 153 million francs.

-34- October 2013 / N° 9 Be a part of building tomorrow’s Cameroon

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