The Chairman of Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), Rev. Dr Dieudonné Massi Gams, has called for the adoption of a dedicated anti-corruption law to strengthen the country’s legal and institutional response to corruption.

Massi Gams made the appeal in an interview with Cameroon Tribune following activities marking the 10th edition of African Anti-Corruption Day. He said the proposed legislation could address illicit enrichment, improve the protection of whistleblowers and strengthen the institutions involved in fighting corruption.

According to the CONAC chairman, Cameroon needs to update its anti-corruption policy to reflect current challenges and improve the effectiveness of enforcement. He also proposed granting CONAC prosecutorial powers, which would allow the commission to initiate proceedings after completing its investigations.

“At the level of CONAC, we strongly believe that an Anti-Corruption Law can address issues such as illicit enrichment, protection of whistleblowers and strengthen structures involved in the fight against corruption,” Massi Gams said.

He also called for faster implementation of the constitutional provisions requiring the declaration of assets and property. Although the requirement has been enshrined in Cameroon’s Constitution since 1996, the mechanisms needed to enforce it have yet to be fully implemented.

Reports of Suspected Corruption Rise

Separately, Massi Gams reported a sharp increase in the number of suspected corruption cases brought to CONAC’s attention. The commission received 10,520 reports in 2024, compared with 7,548 in 2023, an increase of 39.37%.

He interpreted the rise as evidence that more Cameroonians are willing to report suspected corruption and have greater confidence in CONAC’s intervention mechanisms. The reports were submitted through channels including the commission’s toll-free telephone line, administrative correspondence, email and WhatsApp.

The increase does not necessarily indicate that corruption itself rose by the same proportion, as the figures reflect reports received rather than confirmed cases. It may also point to greater public awareness of reporting mechanisms.

African Anti-Corruption Day was observed under the theme “Scaling up the promotion of integrity and anti-corruption actions across Africa.” Massi Gams said the occasion provided an opportunity to assess Cameroon’s progress in promoting integrity and identify obstacles that continue to hamper anti-corruption efforts.

He identified fear and greed as major drivers of corruption. While fear of prosecution or damage to personal integrity may discourage some people from engaging in corrupt practices, he said greed continues to push others toward such acts. He argued that Cameroon must promote a culture in which public resources and services are managed for the common good rather than personal gain.

Financial Losses Exceed CFAF4 Billion

Corruption also continues to have a measurable impact on Cameroon’s public finances. According to CONAC’s 2024 Anti-Corruption Status Report, corruption-related losses to the state exceeded CFAF4 billion during the year.

The report also indicated that more than CFAF8 billion was recovered through decisions by the Special Criminal Court and asset-recovery operations conducted by the Cameroon Debt Recovery Company. The number of state institutions carrying out activities under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy rose from 84 in 2023 to 105 in 2024.

Despite these developments, Cameroon continues to perform poorly in international governance assessments. The country scored 26 out of 100 in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index. The index evaluates perceived levels of public-sector corruption in 182 countries and territories on a scale ranging from zero, for highly corrupt, to 100, for very clean.

For Massi Gams, further progress will require a stronger legal framework, more effective enforcement institutions and broader public participation. The proposed anti-corruption law would form part of that response by addressing areas that are not adequately covered under the current system and giving the institutions responsible for combating corruption greater capacity to act.

Source: Business in Cameroon

The trial over the murder of Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo reached a pivotal stage on July 14, 2026, as Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou, who led the initial investigation, delivered testimony that directly implicated businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, former external intelligence chief Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, and former operations director Lieutenant Colonel Justin Danwe.

Appearing before the Yaoundé Military Court one day after cybercrime expert Jean-Pierre Ouloumou concluded his testimony, Otoulou detailed the early stages of the investigation and recounted statements he said pointed to the involvement of the three defendants.

Now commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion, Otoulou headed the Centre Gendarmerie Legion when Martinez Zogo was abducted and killed in January 2023. He oversaw the initial investigation before a joint police-gendarmerie commission later took over the case on the instructions of President Paul Biya.

The colonel told the court his team had completed “about 80%” of the investigation before the commission assumed responsibility. Over nearly seven hours of questioning by prosecutors, he described how investigators identified their first suspects.

Danwe initially points to Eko Eko

According to Otoulou, the investigation began in earnest on January 20, 2023, after the prosecutor in Mfou informed him that a body had been discovered in Ebogo. The first leads reportedly placed Justin Danwe, then director of operations at the Directorate General for External Research (DGRE), at the center of the investigation.

Otoulou testified that during questioning, Danwe initially claimed he had acted on instructions from Eko Eko while insisting he did not know Amougou Belinga. After learning of those statements, Otoulou said he contacted Eko Eko, who allegedly replied: “Do not bother me. Ask Amougou Belinga and Danwe what they did.”

According to the witness, Eko Eko later sent him an audio recording of a conversation between Amougou Belinga and co-defendant Bidzongo. In the recording, the businessman allegedly described Danwe as “his person” within the DGRE. Otoulou further testified that the same recording contained another statement in which Amougou Belinga allegedly said, “Even Eko Eko is my person.”

Additional evidence cited

The colonel also pointed to other elements that, in his view, reinforced investigators’ suspicions. He said Eko Eko’s phones stopped transmitting signals on the day Martinez Zogo’s body was discovered.

He also testified that the DGRE headquarters and Danwe’s office were covered by surveillance cameras, with monitoring screens located in the director general’s office. Based on those elements, Otoulou said he concluded Danwe “was not lying” when he implicated his superior.

These assertions, however, remain allegations presented by a prosecution witness. Their evidentiary value will ultimately be assessed by the court in light of cross-examination and the full body of evidence.

Amougou Belinga acknowledges relationship with Danwe

Otoulou told the court he initially had no direct evidence against Amougou Belinga. “I had nothing on Amougou Belinga. It was Eko Eko’s statement that led me to him,” he testified.

The colonel said subsequent witness statements strengthened that line of inquiry. He testified that Bruno Bidjang told investigators Amougou Belinga had contacts within the justice system who could have Martinez Zogo jailed. According to Otoulou, when questioned, Amougou Belinga downplayed his conflict with the journalist, allegedly saying, “Martinez meant nothing to me.”

Asked about his relationship with Danwe, the businessman allegedly acknowledged both a personal and professional connection, describing him as a friend who regularly provided information that helped him win contracts abroad.

Confrontation changes Danwe’s account

Otoulou testified that he later organized a face-to-face meeting between Amougou Belinga and Danwe.

According to the witness, Danwe immediately revised his earlier statement, saying he did, in fact, know the businessman.

The colonel said Danwe then told investigators he had approached Amougou Belinga for help obtaining an advance on his salary through Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze, whom he described as one of the businessman’s associates.

It was during that meeting, Otoulou testified, that Amougou Belinga allegedly asked Danwe to “silence” Martinez Zogo.

According to the testimony, Danwe later met the businessman again at the Ekang building to begin planning the operation. Otoulou further testified that Danwe said he received payments of roughly CFA500,000 after each meeting. During a second meeting, Danwe allegedly told Amougou Belinga, “We are going to launch the operation.”

According to the witness, Danwe later informed the businessman that the mission had been carried out. Amougou Belinga allegedly responded, “I am waiting to see the result.” When Danwe later reported that Martinez Zogo’s body had been found, Amougou Belinga allegedly said, “He deserved his punishment.”

Otoulou testified that this final meeting was the only occasion on which Danwe left without receiving money.

Disappearance of an iPhone

The colonel also addressed the disappearance of an iPhone belonging to Amougou Belinga. He testified that the phone was allegedly hidden by one of the businessman’s wives, Melissa Amougou, before being handed to a domestic worker.

According to Otoulou, the housekeeper later told investigators that Melissa Amougou returned to retrieve the device. The testimony echoed earlier statements by cybercrime expert Jean-Pierre Ouloumou, who previously told the court that one of Amougou Belinga’s phones had never been recovered.

Testimony still subject to challenge

At this stage of the proceedings, Otoulou has only been questioned by prosecutors. His testimony, which strongly supports the prosecution’s case, will still be tested through cross-examination by defense lawyers and questioning from lawyers representing the civil parties.

That next phase will allow the defense to challenge the chronology presented by the witness, the accuracy of the statements he attributed to the defendants, and the conclusions he drew during the investigation.

For now, Otoulou’s testimony does not amount to a finding of guilt. It does, however, place the alleged relationships between Amougou Belinga, Danwe, and Eko Eko back at the center of the trial while providing prosecutors with a detailed account of what they allege was the planning of the operation that led to Martinez Zogo’s murder.

Source: Sbbc

It was reported on Saturday morning that the Ossing Chieftaincy issue had taken a turn for the worse following the kidnapping of two key players – Mr. Agbor Emmanuel Orock who is the Ossing Traditional Council (OTC) Secretary General and Mr. Ebot Abel who is the OTC Technical Adviser – by men purporting to be Ambazonian separatist fighters.

However, according to our source in Ossing, those behind the heinous crime are known as the crime bears their hallmarks and fingerprints.

At the time of publishing this article, it was reported that both had been released after having been tortured and after having paid CFAF 1 million each.

According to our source “the two OTC key officers might be free but the matter will not go away. We know those who are responsible for this odious and cowardly act and they will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

“These two officers have always stood for the truth and they want Ossing to be that oasis of peace in Manyu Division. They have stood against maneuvers orchestrated by Mr. Thompson Ndip, a civil servant working in the Ministry of Forestry in Yaoundé who holds that he must be the chief even when he was not among the top three candidates chosen by the council of kingmakers,” he stressed.

“Mr. Thompson Ndip has proven that he is a corrupt person and a gangster who should never be allowed to get anywhere close to the Ossing throne. Leadership requires an impeccable character and Mr. Thompson Ndip is bereft of such a character that can warrant him to lead the peace-loving people of Ossing,” our source pointed out.

“He has been bribing some hungry kingmakers and some people such as Mr. Tabot Bassey, who were initially against him, turned their coats when they were given money. Mr. Tabot Bassey is a retired police constable who is in the grip of a financial crisis that has robbed him of his dignity. Even his son, Tabot Jerry Ayuk, a low level military staff who wanted to run as the chief of Ossing also received money from Mr Thompson Ndip and it is being alleged that he and Mr. Arrey Joseph Ogork, a retired military welder orchestrated and executed the kidnapping of the two OTC officials,” our source added.

“The matter has already been reported to the police and the military who are already working on the case. Mr. Thompson Ndip, Mr. Tabot Jerry and Mr. Arrey Joseph Ogork will soon be answering for their support to the separatists who kidnapped the two OTC officers,” our source pointed out.

“The two OTC officers are expected to present the conclusions of the Ossing Chieftaincy selection process to the Manyu Senior Divisional Officer and his team on Monday. The kidnapping is supposed to intimidate the two officers but it is clear that things will only work against Mr. Thompson Ndip and his team who have been threatening many people,” our source said.

Over the past few weeks, some members of the Ossing Traditional Council have received threats to their lives because of their public positions on the ongoing chieftaincy selection process.

“Saturday’s incident is evidence that the matter is getting worse and if the three persons cited above are not treated as bandits and separatists, they will continue to disturb the peace that is reigning in Ossing,” our source pointed out

“As for the ransom paid, the Technical Adviser and the Secretary General will be compensated by some benevolent Ossing citizens who think that both men deserve a reward for their principled positions against the forces of evil constituted by Mr. Thompson Ndip,” our source concluded.

More will be yours as we receive more information.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with files from Enow Agbor James in Mamfe

Cameroon has set July 15, 2026, as the first deadline in a nationwide audit of family allowances paid to public employees, as the government steps up efforts to tighten control over payroll spending.

Through the operation, the Ministry of Finance aims to clean up the list of beneficiaries after what it describes as an unusually sharp increase in the number of children declared in the state’s payroll system. The ministry is urging eligible public employees to complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute congestion and processing delays. The first phase of the audit, known as AALFA, marks the beginning of a broader review designed to verify the legitimacy of family benefit claims.

A Budget Review Triggered by a Surge in Beneficiaries

Behind the administrative exercise lies a broader fiscal challenge. According to the Ministry of Finance, the number of children declared by public employees rose from 594,728 in June 2024 to more than 923,000 in March 2026, an increase of about 55% in less than two years.

For the government, such a rapid rise warrants a comprehensive review. The audit is intended to distinguish legitimate claims from irregular or fraudulent declarations that may be inflating public spending.

Documents Required for Registration

Public employees receiving family allowances must submit several documents, including a collective life certificate covering children under 21 years old or children with disabilities, a copy of a promotion notice or payroll statement, legible copies of the birth certificates of all declared children, and a copy of the beneficiary’s national identity card. The Ministry of Finance has also issued guidelines explaining how to complete the data collection form in order to simplify the registration process and reduce filing errors.

Higher Benefits Have Increased Fiscal Pressure

The audit comes only months after family allowances were raised to CFA4,500 per child per month in February 2024. The increase was intended to strengthen the purchasing power of public employees’ families, but it also automatically increased the government’s financial burden, making the accuracy of beneficiary records even more critical.

In that context, the audit is not meant to challenge the benefit itself but to ensure it reaches eligible recipients. Authorities intend to preserve the rights of legitimate beneficiaries while removing fraudulent claims from the payroll and recovering any funds that were improperly paid.

Birth Certificate Verification and Fraud Detection

The review will focus primarily on verifying the authenticity of birth certificates, the validity of supporting documents, and the consistency of information across government databases. Officials also plan to identify duplicate records, false declarations, and children registered without valid documentation.

The operation builds on broader government efforts to improve control over personnel-related spending. Following physical headcounts of public employees and audits of pension beneficiaries and dependents, authorities are now targeting a less visible but potentially costly source of expenditure: family allowances.

A Long-Term Interministerial Initiative

Created by decree in July 2024, the committee overseeing the AALFA audit brings together representatives from the ministries of Finance, Public Service, Defense, Security, Territorial Administration, and civil registration services. The interministerial structure is intended to facilitate data sharing and strengthen verification procedures.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the audit will run for 24 months, beginning with a systematic review of the birth certificates of children declared by active public employees. The goal extends beyond a one-time audit to establishing a lasting mechanism for securing the family allowance database.

July 15 Marks the First Test

In the short term, the Ministry of Finance is emphasizing compliance with the July 15 deadline, describing it as a key milestone for the success of the audit. Completing this first phase on schedule should help reduce processing delays and lay the groundwork for the broader review.

Ultimately, the audit reflects a dual objective: protecting public finances at a time of mounting budgetary pressure while ensuring that government social benefits are paid only to those who are legally entitled to receive them.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Cameroon wants to attract more investment into electricity transmission, marking a new phase in the country’s energy strategy. After years of financing new power plants, particularly large hydropower projects, the government now sees the transmission network as the sector’s biggest priority.

The shift was reaffirmed on June 19 in Yaoundé, where Minister of Water and Energy Gaston Eloundou Essomba met with Italy’s Ambassador to Cameroon, Natalia Sanginiti, and Riccardo Rossi Van Lamsweerde, head of the regional office of Italy’s public financial institution, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. During the meeting, which focused on investment opportunities in the energy sector, the minister encouraged Italian partners to give greater attention to electricity transmission infrastructure.

“The transmission segment should continue to receive the attention of our partners. They should take an interest in it,” he said. The appeal is part of Cameroon’s National Energy Compact, a roadmap that seeks to mobilize $12.5 billion in additional financing by 2030. The government describes the plan as a roadmap for developing sustainable energy infrastructure that will expand access to clean energy for households and businesses while supporting industrial development and clean cooking.

Among the proposed reforms is a broader opening of the electricity transmission segment to private investors through public-private partnerships. The government hopes this approach will speed up infrastructure development while easing pressure on public finances.

A Grid Under Pressure

The growing focus on transmission comes as Cameroon prepares to significantly expand its electricity generation capacity.

After commissioning the Nachtigal hydropower plant, which increased supply to the Southern Interconnected Grid, the government is advancing several other major projects.

The 500-megawatt Kikot hydropower project remains one of the country’s top priorities. The Minkouma project is also moving forward, while Bini à Warak is approaching another milestone with the expected signing of a development agreement. At the same time, the government, with support from the World Bank, is conducting studies for large-scale solar power plants in the country’s northern regions.

As electricity production increases, expanding the transmission network has become more urgent. Without sufficient investment in high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and evacuation infrastructure, part of the new generating capacity may never reach households, businesses, and industrial zones.

The issue has become even more important as electricity demand grows alongside new industrial, mining, and port projects. In that context, electricity transmission is no longer just a technical component of the power sector. It has become a key factor in industrial competitiveness and in maximizing returns on the country’s investments in power generation.

Sonatrel Faces Major Investment Needs

Created by presidential decree in 2015, the National Electricity Transmission Company (Sonatrel) is responsible for transmitting electricity, managing the national transmission grid, and planning, developing, and building new transmission infrastructure on behalf of the state.

The company, however, faces significant investment needs to modernize and expand a network that remains insufficient for the country’s growing energy ambitions.

According to figures cited by the Ministry of Water and Energy, nearly 30% of the electricity generated in Cameroon is lost before reaching consumers because of weaknesses in the transmission and distribution networks. Reducing those losses is one of the government’s main priorities for improving the technical performance and financial sustainability of the electricity sector.

Opening the transmission segment to new financial partners is therefore viewed as a strategic step. The government hopes it will accelerate the construction of transmission lines, modernize existing infrastructure, and gradually strengthen interconnections between the country’s different power networks. The interest shown by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti in Cameroon’s energy projects could open the door to additional financing.

For the government, the challenge now is to convert growing electricity production into tangible economic gains. That will require a transmission network capable of reliably delivering power to households, industrial sites, and future manufacturing hubs.

After focusing much of its effort on expanding generation capacity, Cameroon now faces the next stage of its energy strategy: building a transmission network that can support economic growth, strengthen energy security, and make full use of the country’s investment in power production.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Cameroon is looking to change how it maintains urban roads and drainage systems, shifting from a system focused on construction work to one centered on long-term performance.

The Sustainable Cities and Land Management Project (PVGFD), with support from the World Bank, is preparing to introduce a new generation of road maintenance contracts known as Results-Based Road Contracts (MROR). On June 17, public works companies, engineering firms, local governments, and urban development stakeholders gathered in Yaoundé for a workshop dedicated to the new model. More than 100 participants attended the event, both in person and online.

The approach represents a significant departure from traditional public works contracts. Under the current system, companies are paid primarily for carrying out specific works. Under the proposed model, a larger share of compensation depends on the condition of the infrastructure over time and the quality of service delivered to users. “Unlike traditional contracts, MRORs focus on results and the long-term quality of infrastructure for the benefit of citizens. Expected benefits include better-maintained roads, more effective drainage systems, smoother mobility, and more efficient use of public resources,” the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development said.

A Focus on Long-Term Performance

The goal is no longer simply to repair a road or clear a drainage channel. Contractors would be responsible for keeping infrastructure in good working condition throughout the life of the contract. As part of pilot projects planned for Douala and Yaoundé, selected companies could be required to meet specific performance standards. Failure to maintain those standards could result in financial penalties.

Several countries already use similar contracts to improve road maintenance and reduce the cost of recurring repairs. The model also encourages contractors to adopt durable technical solutions rather than relying on repeated short-term fixes. The initiative comes at a time when urban infrastructure is under growing pressure. Rapid urban growth, heavier traffic, and intense rainfall continue to strain roads and drainage networks in both Douala and Yaoundé.

The effects are visible across both cities: roads deteriorate quickly, flooding remains common in some neighborhoods, traffic congestion worsens, and transportation costs increase for residents and businesses.

Improving Returns on Public Spending

For many residents, the issue is not simply building new infrastructure but ensuring that existing infrastructure remains functional. Several urban roads rehabilitated in recent years showed signs of deterioration shortly after completion, raising questions about the effectiveness of current maintenance practices. Authorities also see an economic benefit in the new approach. By linking payments to measurable performance, they hope to generate better returns from public spending on urban infrastructure.

The challenge is particularly important given the scale of infrastructure needs and the limits of available public resources. For local governments, every franc spent on maintenance must produce visible and lasting results. The pilot projects in Douala and Yaoundé will serve as a real-world test. If successful, the model could be expanded to other cities across the country.

Its success, however, will depend on several factors, including clear contract specifications, reliable performance indicators, effective monitoring by local authorities, and enforceable penalties when contractors fail to meet their obligations.

Without those safeguards, the shift toward results-based maintenance could remain more of a policy objective than a meaningful change in how urban infrastructure is managed.

Source: Business in Cameroon