At the Gecam Ordinary General Assembly in Douala on June 23, 2026, Célestin Tawamba addressed critical obstacles hindering investment in Cameroon.

During the Gecam Ordinary General Assembly, Célestin Tawamba, the president of Gecam, offered a comprehensive overview of the current challenging state of our economy. He underscored that in a global landscape where economies fiercely compete for capital, talent, and technological advancements, robust governance has emerged as a pivotal factor for national competitiveness.

According to Tawamba, prospective investors meticulously evaluate a country’s infrastructure, energy supply and its associated costs, and the prevailing tax regime. However, he emphasized that their primary focus is on a nation’s capacity to make swift decisions, effectively implement policies, and consistently honor its commitments. He articulated, “We invest in a country that decides, not in a country that waits.” This decisive approach, he asserted, will significantly shape Cameroon’s economic future, and Gecam remains committed to contributing to this objective with responsibility, independence, and patriotism.

For Tawamba, the core issue is no longer about identifying what actions are necessary. Instead, he posited that the fundamental questions now revolve around: “How can we act faster? How can we perform better? And crucially, how can we achieve measurable results?” He urged a shift from prolonged diagnostic phases to immediate execution, from mere intentions to concrete achievements, and from promises to tangible outcomes.

He further highlighted that Cameroon is currently experiencing a peculiar state of inertia, a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude that adversely impacts the entire economic sphere. Structural decisions are becoming scarce, arbitration processes are protracted, and existing projects advance at an unacceptably slow pace. Administrative bodies often prioritize caution over proactive initiative, leaving economic operators in an environment where future visibility is increasingly elusive. This prevailing situation, he concluded, inevitably erodes investor confidence and dampens the morale of business leaders.