June 22, 2026 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially reminded Cameroon of the serious consequences that non‑compliance with governance laws can have, as the country stands at a crossroads between economic stability and transparency demands.
The finding is unequivocal: several companies and public institutions are currently headed by officials whose mandates have expired. This situation, highlighted both by the IMF and by Professor Viviane Ondoua Biwole, an expert in public governance, exposes a structural weakness in the administrative system.
In her recently updated report, Professor Ondoua Biwole details the figures that illustrate the scale of the phenomenon. She shows that, in a growing number of entities, renewal procedures have not been observed, leaving de‑facto administrations often lacking legal legitimacy.
The IMF notes that this irregularity undermines Cameroon’s credibility with donors and foreign investors. An atmosphere of uncertainty is taking hold, infrastructure projects are delayed, and conditional financing risks being suspended, to the detriment of economic development.
For Cameroonians, the impact is felt immediately: the quality of public services declines, delays in public works accumulate, and users’ trust erodes. Employees of public companies, often caught between vague directives and performance demands, see their career prospects compromised.
In response, the government has announced the launch of a “crusade” to identify and sanction illegal leaders. Legislative measures are being drafted to strengthen mandate controls, while targeted audits will be carried out in the most vulnerable sectors.
The main challenge remains the establishment of a robust governance framework capable of preventing any recurrence. The international community, civil‑society actors, and Cameroonian institutions must work together to institute continuous oversight, ensure transparency in appointments, and restore investor confidence.
