Entrepreneur Alex Nguepi calls out Cameroon’s tribalism as a distraction from economic failure

In a powerful op-ed, Alex Nguepi dismantles the false narrative that tribal identity explains Cameroon’s economic challenges. He emphasizes that those who have invested in property, businesses, and infrastructure across the country deserve credit rather than suspicion.

The Bamileke community, in particular, stands out for its entrepreneurial spirit, Nguepi argues. They have built homes in Douala, Yaoundé, and other cities without needing to justify their presence. Cities like Douala and Yaoundé weren’t constructed by a single ethnic group but by the collective efforts of millions of Cameroonians from all regions.

Nguepi highlights a key truth: while some consume, others invest. While some spend, others build. While some make excuses, others work to secure a better future for their children. The dream of many young people in the West Region isn’t to inherit a family home but to build their own legacy through hard work and enterprise.

He dismisses the idea that economic success should be politicized or used to stoke division. Those who invest in housing, factories, and businesses contribute to national wealth and deserve recognition, not scrutiny. The real scandal, Nguepi asserts, is that after decades in power, some leaders still resort to tribal rhetoric to mask their failures in governance and economic policy.

Cameroon doesn’t need divisive rhetoric; it needs builders. It needs citizens who invest, create jobs, pay taxes, and contribute to national prosperity. A nation thrives through the efforts of entrepreneurs, farmers, industrialists, and workers—not through hate speech or divisive tactics.

Nguepi’s message is clear: let everyone build, invest, and create wealth. That’s how Cameroon will progress. The future belongs to those who construct, not those who divide. The rest will fade into history’s margins.

— Alex Nguepi