Cameroon’s economic progress must not be hijacked by tribal narratives

In a bold op-ed, commentator Alex Nguepi challenges the toxic habit of using ethnic identity to explain away national economic struggles. He argues that those who have invested in homes, factories and businesses across Cameroon owe no explanations to those who chose to remain on the sidelines.

The Bamileke community, often unfairly targeted for its economic success, should not have to justify owning property or operating businesses in Douala, Yaoundé or anywhere else in the country. Cameroon belongs to all its citizens—not to a single tribe or region.

The growth of Cameroon’s major cities did not happen through the efforts of one ethnic group alone. These urban centers were built through taxes, hard work and sacrifices made by millions of Cameroonians from every corner of the nation. Citizenship is not a privilege granted to one group over another.

The uncomfortable truth is that the Bamileke people have cultivated a culture of savings, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. While some spend, others invest. While some delay progress with excuses, others are building the future for their children. The dream of young people from the West Region is not to inherit a family home forever—it’s to construct their own houses, launch their own businesses and leave a legacy.

It is absurd to turn economic achievement into a political weapon. Those who have poured their resources into real estate, industries and commerce should not be forced to answer to those who have remained spectators. The real scandal is not that some Cameroonians are investing across the country—it’s that after decades in power, some leaders still resort to ethnic division to mask their failures in governance and development.

When the economy falters, unemployment rises and poverty spreads, the architects of division dust off the same old playbook: tribalism, indigeneity claims and manufactured conflicts. This tactic is typical of regimes nearing the end of their mandate, unable to propose real solutions.

Cameroon does not need tribalists. It needs builders—entrepreneurs, farmers, industrialists, traders and workers who generate wealth, pay taxes and create jobs. A nation thrives on the sweat of its people, not on hate speech, jealousy or baseless stigmatization.

Let each person build. Let each person invest. Let each person create wealth. And Cameroon will move forward.

The future belongs to those who build. Those who sow division will end up in the dustbin of history.

— Alex Nguepi