(Business in Cameroon) – President Paul Biya unveiled large-scale infrastructure, energy, and youth employment plans to stimulate growth and reassure investors.
- The government aims to accelerate projects such as the Nachtigal dam, key highway corridors, and solar network expansion.
- The strategy links economic revival to better governance, security, and resilience in the country’s northern regions.
President Paul Biya placed the economy at the heart of his campaign agenda during a rally in Maroua on October 7, pledging to relaunch growth through infrastructure, energy, and youth employment, supported by stronger security and climate resilience.
The veteran leader said financing was available and project execution was accelerating to generate “tangible benefits” for the population.
Roads and Energy: Catalysts for Growth
In the Sahelian gateway region, Biya vowed to turn long-delayed projects into visible construction sites. “The companies responsible for the works have been selected and have begun deployment,” he said, citing road corridors such as Mora–Dabanga–Kousséri and Ngaoundéré–Garoua that will lower logistics costs and connect production areas to markets.
He announced a “special program to rehabilitate degraded roads and build new ones,” backed by “substantial financial resources,” to ease transport and “breathe new life into the economy.”
Economists expect the road push to trigger a short-term boom in construction and, over time, reduce transport costs and improve trade efficiency.
Biya also highlighted progress in the energy sector, noting that the Nachtigal hydroelectric dam is now operational. He said new transmission lines “will accelerate economic growth and improve the well-being of our people,” while upcoming projects at Bini à Warak and Kikot-Mbebe would expand capacity further.
The government also plans to increase solar power generation and complete North–South grid interconnections to ensure stable electricity supply, especially in northern regions.
If completed, analysts say these upgrades could reduce power shortages, boost industrial output, and lower the opportunity costs borne by small and medium enterprises.
Youth and Security as Economic Levers
Biya pledged to restructure the National Employment Fund to better align youth skills with labor-market needs in agriculture, livestock, crafts, and the digital economy. “Every young person must have opportunities to find employment or become an entrepreneur. No one will be left behind,” he said, promising measurable results through budget allocations and transparent governance.
Security, Biya added, is also a driver of economic recovery. He ordered the deployment of elite forces in the Logone-et-Chari and Mayo-Tsanaga departments to restore stability. The expected outcome is a rebound in tourism, agriculture, and investment in the Far North.
To mitigate recurring floods, Biya cited the Integrated Rural Development Project of Chari-Logone, which he said “should soon deliver significant results,” ensuring rural production and income stability.
Governance and Financing
The president also linked recovery to fiscal credibility and anti-corruption efforts. He pledged to “revive the economy, improve public finance management, develop new funding sources through mining, and intensify the fight against corruption and embezzlement.”
If implemented effectively, these measures could lower Cameroon’s country risk, reduce capital costs, and attract private investment to sustain large projects.
The Verdict Will Be in Delivery
Biya’s proposed framework rests on five pillars: roads to connect, energy to power, skills to employ, security to stabilize, and governance to ensure credibility. Yet, observers warn that success will depend on execution discipline and timely project delivery.
At 92 years old, Biya faces what may be his final electoral test on October 12. The ultimate verdict, analysts say, will not come from the ballot box but from whether the promised roads, megawatts, and jobs materialize.
This article was initially published in French by Baudouin Enama
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
