At the Gecam ordinary general assembly in Douala on June 23, 2026, Célestin Tawamba addressed the significant barriers hindering investment in a nation like Cameroon.

During the Gecam ordinary general assembly, Célestin Tawamba, the president of Gecam, offered a comprehensive overview of the current challenging economic climate. He underscored that in a global arena where economies fiercely compete to attract capital, talent, and technology, the caliber of governance has become a pivotal factor in national competitiveness.

According to Tawamba, potential investors meticulously examine a country’s infrastructure, the availability and cost of energy, and its fiscal policies. However, he stressed that their primary focus is on a nation’s capacity to make timely decisions, effectively execute plans, and consistently uphold its commitments. He asserted that investment naturally flows into countries that demonstrate decisiveness, not those characterized by prolonged inaction. This critical aspect, he believes, will largely determine Cameroon’s economic trajectory, and Gecam remains committed to contributing to this objective with responsibility, independence, and patriotism.

For Tawamba, the fundamental question is no longer about identifying what actions are necessary. Instead, the pertinent inquiries now revolve around: “How can we accelerate progress? How can we enhance efficiency? And crucially, how can we achieve measurable outcomes?” He emphasized that the period dedicated to diagnosis must progressively transition into a phase of active execution. The time for mere intentions must yield to tangible realizations, and the era of promises must evolve into one of verifiable results.

Furthermore, Tawamba highlighted that Cameroon is currently experiencing a distinctive situation marked by a pervasive “wait-and-see” attitude, which ultimately impacts the entire economic landscape. He noted a scarcity of impactful structural decisions, protracted arbitration processes, and projects that, even when initiated, advance at an unacceptably slow pace. Administrations frequently prioritize caution over proactive initiative, creating an environment where economic operators face increasing uncertainty. This prevailing situation, he concluded, inevitably erodes investor confidence and dampens the morale of business leaders across the nation.