AGP Executive Report

Sanctions Enforcement: France detained the Russia-linked tanker Deliver off Sicily after it sailed under the Cameroonian flag, with President Macron saying it was part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet” used to bypass sanctions. Regional Security & Migration: A Cameroon-linked surrogacy campaign is gaining momentum as Italy and Chile push a UN Human Rights Council declaration for a global moratorium, co-hosted with Cameroon and the Vatican. Public Service Reform: Yaoundé hosted Cameroon’s maiden Public Service forum on improving institutional performance, participation and inclusion, with organizers citing a low public service quality index. Health Crisis Watch: Ebola response efforts are being undermined by misinformation and distrust as cases rise in DR Congo and Uganda. Governance & Decentralisation: Nigeria’s AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was elected President of the Forum of African Regions (FORAF), with Cameroon’s regional association named among key partners. Economy & Trade: IFC approved a €7.5m (about CFA5bn) loan for Cameroon logistics firm Catramp to expand warehousing and strengthen corridors to Chad and CAR.

Human Rights & Gender Justice: Human Rights Watch released a 75-page report saying Cameroon failed to deliver on its 2011 pledge to cut violence against women, citing discriminatory laws, weak institutions, and underinvestment; it warns victims often get little protection or access to justice. Legal Accountability: The Martinez Zogo murder trial in Yaoundé continues before the military court, with cybersecurity expert Georges Bitjoka returning to the witness stand amid renewed focus on digital communications linked to key defendants. Infrastructure & Trade: Cameroon signed an MoU with British firm PROPAV Infrastructure Ltd to advance the Bekoko–Limbe–Idenau road, moving to financing proposals after technical studies. Regional Development Finance: The IFC approved about CFA5 billion (EUR 7.5m) for Cameroon logistics firm Catramp to expand warehousing and modernize operations across Douala, Kribi, and into Chad/CAR. Economy & Agriculture: Cameroonian cocoa prices crossed CFA2,000 per kg for the first time in the 2025–2026 season, offering late-season relief as farmers still face a weaker overall year. Church Governance: The Vatican rejected a push to allow laypeople and women to deliver sermons at Catholic Mass, reaffirming that only ordained priests or deacons may preach. International Policy: Italy, Chile, Cameroon and the Holy See backed a UN Human Rights Council push for a global moratorium on surrogacy, framed as a step toward eventual abolition.

World Cup Spotlight: Cristiano Ronaldo roared back with a brace as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0, becoming the first player to score at six different World Cups and the oldest to net multiple goals in a single World Cup match; England were held 0-0 by Ghana in a frustrating result that added unwanted records for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Human Rights & Gender: Human Rights Watch says Cameroon has failed to deliver on long-promised action to curb violence against women, citing weak protection, limited access to justice, and discriminatory laws that leave survivors exposed. Security & Law Enforcement: In Lagos, police intercepted a truck carrying 47 sacks of military camouflage and suspected illicit substances, arresting suspects and probing the supply chain. Cameroon Infrastructure: Cameroon signed an MoU with British firm PROPAV Infrastructure Ltd to advance the Bekoko–Limbe–Idenau road in the South-West, moving toward financing proposals and faster implementation. Energy & Industry: Sonara awarded over CFA6.5 billion in insurance contracts for 2026–2029, while policy voices urged Cameroon to better harness renewable energy to cut power costs and support manufacturing. International Policy: A UN-backed coalition launched a call for a global moratorium on surrogacy, with Cameroon among the co-hosts.

Youth & Civic Discipline: Yaoundé’s Presidential Guard kicked off the 8th “GP Sports Vacances 2026” with sports, civic education, and new modules like Nanbudo and culinary arts, plus visits to national heritage sites. Border Security: Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai says it killed two suspected ISWAP spies after they crossed from Cameroon into Borno, with surveillance tightened along the border corridor. Customs Modernization: At the Port of Douala, Cameroon’s container scanning system is traced from early mobile scanners to today’s fixed scanners, as Customs also trains West African master trainers in geospatial intelligence to improve targeting. Energy Policy Data: Cameroon is supported in developing energy accounts in Douala, using UN and World Bank-backed methods to link energy flows with economic and environmental planning. Digital & Social Impact: AWS selected nine African social enterprises for its Social Entrepreneur Accelerator, including Cameroon-based groups working on education, health, climate resilience, and economic opportunity. Culture & Local Talent: EDEN GROUP and Canal 2’Or signed a 10-year deal in Yaoundé to reward artists with titled land plots across five editions, turning awards into long-term assets.

World Cup Records: Lionel Messi rewrote the record books again as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to qualify for the knockouts, taking the all-time World Cup goals lead with 18 and moving to 18 World Cup wins; he also missed a penalty in the same match. Cameroon Politics & Migration: Cameroon’s National Assembly and Senate launched a Parliamentary Network for Human Mobilities and National Unity in Yaoundé, with lawmakers and IOM support to push faster administrative and land reforms for migration, refugees and integration. Infrastructure & Trade: Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute moved to unblock the Limbe Deep Seaport project, directing administrations to clear remaining technical hurdles before a BOT MoU with Turkish firm Yenigün. Human Rights & Child Protection: The Cameroon Human Rights Commission urged urgent action on child protection and water access ahead of the African Child Day, citing major rural-urban gaps in drinking water and sanitation and warning of rising violence against minors. Census Funding: Cameroon secured an extra CFAF 6 billion to extend field work for the population and agriculture censuses to mid-July, after operational delays. Regional Security Cooperation: Yaoundé and Bangui consolidated military cooperation in Motcheboum, as cross-border insecurity pressures remain a key concern.

Human Rights Diplomacy: Italy and Chile, with Cameroon and the Holy See, backed a push for an international moratorium on surrogacy at the EU Human Rights Council in Geneva, arguing the practice commodifies women and children and fuels coercion and exploitation. EU Governance: The EU parliament voted to end its illegal logging oversight partnership with Liberia after years of unmet reforms, including a stalled licensing system for timber exports. Cameroon Census & State Planning: Cameroon secured an extra CFAF 6bn to finish the General Population and Housing Census and the Agriculture and Livestock Census, extending field work to mid-July after delays in enumerator payments and operations. Trade & Transport Policy: Cameroon suspended the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) on the Douala–N’Djamena and Douala–Bangui corridors, citing transit bottlenecks and paperwork complaints from regional partners. Maritime Infrastructure: Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute ordered administrations to fast-track the long-delayed Limbe Deep Seaport project to ease pressure on Douala. Digital Economy Funding: Cameroon signed EU grant deals worth over CFAF 36bn for digital transformation, SME support, and export-focused programmes. Energy Data Reform: Cameroon began developing energy accounts with support from the ECA, NIS and the World Bank to improve energy policy planning and track environmental impacts. Business & Investment Readiness: The IFC launched Cameroon’s first Local Champions Initiative cohort, selecting seven firms for governance and financing-readiness support. Sports & Public Life (Local Angle): Claude Le Roy was appointed Congo coach for AFCON 2027, with Cameroon listed in Congo’s qualifying group.

Local Business & Finance: The IFC launched Cameroon’s first Local Champions Initiative cohort, selecting seven firms (agro, energy, logistics, services) for 12 months of support to improve governance and investment readiness. Trade & Customs: Cameroon suspended the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) on Douala–N’Djamena and Douala–Bangui routes, citing corridor bottlenecks and tripartite forum recommendations. Infrastructure & Ports: Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute ordered administrations to fast-track the long-delayed Limbe Deep Seaport to ease pressure on Douala, pushing feasibility and land-delimitation steps toward implementation. Digital Economy Funding: Cameroon secured over 36 billion CFA francs in EU grants for digital transformation and export-linked programmes, including SME digital adoption and regional digital business support. Cocoa Value Chain: Obala’s Chocolat Rouge factory is set to deliver Cameroon’s first chocolate bars to market within three weeks, boosting local processing and export prospects. Security & Regional Cooperation: The U.S. is finalizing plans to redeploy troops to Maroua (Far North) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support after the Agadez drone hub closure. Maritime Transparency: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, African states—including Cameroon—were urged to accelerate fisheries transparency reforms to curb illegal fishing.

Cameroon–US Security: The U.S. is finalizing plans to redeploy troops to Maroua in Cameroon’s Far North, ending a roughly seven-year absence and aiming to fill an ISR surveillance gap after the 2024 closure of its drone hub in Agadez, Niger, with American forces focused on intelligence support rather than direct combat. Public Health: Cameroon clinicians discuss the new long-acting HIV drug lenacapavir, which can be given as injections about twice a year, while questions remain over access, cost, and dose availability in countries with large HIV burdens. Anti-Corruption & Regional Cooperation: Zimbabwe’s ZACC chair Michael Reza was elected first vice president of the Association of African Anti-Corruption Authorities, beating Cameroon’s anti-graft chief in a continental leadership vote. Governance & Skills: France’s AFD and RIFFEAC signed a CFA 3.3 billion deal to fund ADEFAC 2, expanding continuing training for forestry and wood-processing across six Congo Basin countries including Cameroon. Illegal Fishing Transparency: At Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, African states—including Cameroon—were urged to accelerate fisheries transparency reforms to curb illegal fishing.

U.S.-Cameroon Security Pivot: The United States is finalizing plans to redeploy troops to Maroua in Cameroon’s Far North, ending a roughly seven-year absence and filling an ISR gap after the 2024 closure of its drone hub in Agadez, Niger; the Salak base will host U.S. personnel focused on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support Cameroonian operations against ISWAP and JAS, with no direct combat role. Electricity Fraud Crackdown: Cameroon’s new power distributor Socadel will launch an aggressive anti-theft drive in its first 100 days, after inspections in Yaoundé and Douala reportedly found about 3,000 electricity fraud cases in three weeks; the government says electricity fraud costs around CFA60 billion annually. State Assets and Insurance: Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute told lawmakers that Cameroon has identified 1,522 state-owned buildings in Mfoundi and Wouri valued at over CFA1.5 trillion, while noting the state currently does not insure such property under private market terms. Regional Forestry Skills Boost: AFD and RIFFEAC signed a €5m (CFA3.3bn) deal in Yaoundé to fund ADEFAC 2, a five-year program to strengthen continuing training in forestry and wood-processing across six Congo Basin countries. Promote 2026 in Yaoundé: Cameroon’s SME trade fair Promote 2026 opened at the Yaoundé Conference Centre with 236 local firms, supported by Afriland First Bank and the economy ministry, running through June 21. Manyu Drug Crisis Call: Dr. Joachim Arrey urged elite and diaspora support to tackle a worsening drug crisis in Manyu Division, warning it is damaging youth lives and the region’s reputation.

State Asset Audit: Cameroon says it has inventoried 1,522 state-owned buildings in Yaoundé (Mfoundi) and Douala (Wouri), valued at about CFA1.5 trillion, while admitting public property is not covered by private insurance. Power Sector Crackdown: Socadel, the electricity distributor, will make electricity fraud a top priority, citing about 3,000 fraud cases found in three weeks in Yaoundé and Douala and estimating losses of CFA60 billion a year. Parliamentary Pressure on Execution: MPs grilled the government over unfulfilled promises and stalled contracts, with focus on decentralisation, public asset management, road failures, and refuse collection gaps. Cross-Border Security: Cameroon and the Central African Republic held a high-level meeting in Motcheboum to review security along their nearly 800-km shared border. Infrastructure Deal: Cameroon’s Public Works Minister signed an MoU with UK firm PROPAV Infrastructure to draft technical and financial proposals for the Bekoko–Limbe–Idenau road. Business & Trade Fair: Promote 2026 opened in Yaoundé with 236 local SMEs, supported by Afriland First Bank and the Economy Ministry, running through June 21. Youth Funding Opportunity: EU-backed AU-EU Youth Voices Lab reopens grants for Ghanaian youth groups (and includes Cameroon) with applications due June 29. Anti-Corruption Leadership: Zimbabwe’s ZACC chair Michael Reza was elected first vice president of an African anti-corruption body, with Cameroon’s NCAC head also named among contenders. Ebola Watch: Experts warn the DRC Ebola outbreak could become one of the most serious in recent history, complicating funding and response amid conflict and misinformation.

Public Assets & Insurance: Cameroon’s PM Joseph Dion Ngute told the National Assembly that the state has identified 1,522 state-owned buildings in Yaoundé (Mfoundi) and Douala (Wouri), worth over CFA1.5 trillion, while admitting the government does not use private insurance for these properties. Electricity Governance: The government says electricity fraud is costing Cameroon about CFA60 billion a year; Socadel, the new power distributor, plans a nationwide crackdown in its first 100 days after detecting around 3,000 cases in Yaoundé and Douala. Security Cooperation: Cameroon and the Central African Republic held a high-level cross-border security meeting in Motcheboum to tighten control along their nearly 800-km shared border. Border Defense Pact: Nigeria and Cameroon signed a memorandum to strengthen southern border security, including intelligence sharing, joint training, and a joint maritime task force. Infrastructure Diplomacy: Cameroon’s Public Works minister signed an MoU with UK firm PROPAV Infrastructure to draft technical and financial proposals for the Bekoko–Limbe–Idenau road. Parliamentary Pressure: MPs grilled the government over decentralisation, contract delays, and public asset management, with the PM facing tough questions on execution gaps. Health & Risk: Experts warn Central Africa’s Ebola situation could worsen amid conflict, misinformation, and funding cuts. Regional Economy & Trade: Cameroon’s PROMOTE exhibition opened in Yaoundé with renewed UK-Cameroon cooperation messaging and a push for private-sector-led growth.

Yaoundé Business Diplomacy: PROMOTE 2026 opened in Yaoundé with government backing for SMEs and a push to turn private enterprise into a driver of growth, innovation and partnerships. Parliament & Governance: The Prime Minister faced a tough grilling over unfulfilled promises, delayed contracts and gaps in decentralisation—especially around waste management and resources for mayors. Security Cooperation: Cameroon and Nigeria signed a memorandum to strengthen defence and security along their shared southern border, including intelligence sharing, joint training and a joint maritime task force. Energy & Anti-Fraud: Government says electricity fraud is costing about CFA60 billion a year; Socadel will launch an aggressive 100-day crackdown on theft and illegal connections. Public Assets: Cameroon’s inventory and valuation identified 1,522 state-owned buildings in Mfoundi and Wouri worth over CFA1.5 trillion, as lawmakers press for insurance policy. International Relations: UK High Commissioner Matt Woods met Cameroon’s National Assembly Speaker, while the government highlighted deepening UK-Cameroon cooperation at PROMOTE. Humanitarian & Social: A Nigerian refugee count puts over 100,000 Nigerians in Cameroon, and a Cameroon-China medical outreach delivered free care in Nyong & So’o.

Cameroon Politics & Governance: The SDF tabled five Private Members’ Bills in the National Assembly, pushing reforms on femicide and violence against women, child sexual violence and trafficking, national cohesion and residency-based citizenship, asset declaration and transparency for public officials, and recognition of slavery and colonisation as crimes against humanity. Public Administration: Minesec launched a biometric and physical census review of 11,000 education ministry employees, flagging thousands as absent, abroad, or with “unknown” administrative status. Industrial Policy: MAGZI, with UNIDO, unveiled plans to expand Cameroon’s industrial zones to over 9,000 hectares by 2035, aiming to boost local processing and investment under AfCFTA. Human Rights & Security: Exiled former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary condemned the burning alive killing of Steve Diffo and demanded justice. International & Economy: Cameroon received China’s emergency food aid (880 tons wheat, 1,630 tons rice) for conflict-affected regions, while trade talks focused on duty-free access under China’s zero-tariff scheme. Regional Watch: Zimbabwe’s National Assembly approved constitutional changes to extend President Mnangagwa’s term and postpone elections, a move critics call a power grab.

Food Security & Diplomacy: China handed Cameroon emergency aid in Douala—880 tons of wheat and 1,630 tons of rice (about 20 million yuan)—with priority for conflict-hit Northwest, Southwest, Far North, East and Adamawa. Presidency & Public Order: Cameroon’s government spokesman René Emmanuel Sadi denied reports that President Paul Biya was hospitalized in Switzerland, saying he is in Geneva but not in any medical facility. Energy & Rural Development: Cameroon awarded a CFA384m contract to German firm GOPA Tech to draft a national electrification strategy, targeting big urban-rural gaps. Mining & Industrial Policy: State mining firm Sonamines posted its first net profit since launch—CFA724.7m for 2025—while a Yaoundé mining forum pushed the agenda of turning raw minerals into local processing. Governance & Finance: Cameroon’s Deposit and Consignment Fund (CDEC) refused COBAC consultations on draft rules, arguing consignments and dormant assets are non-banking public activities. Trade & Exports: Cameroon and China discussed implementing China’s zero-tariff access for eligible African exporters, including cocoa, timber, cotton and processed foods. Maritime Transparency: Cameroon joined the Our Ocean push behind the Mombasa Declaration to share fisheries data and fight illegal fishing. Public Administration: Cameroon plans 12,242 public-sector hires in 2026, led by education and healthcare.

Public Service Hiring: Cameroon plans to add 12,242 workers to the public sector in 2026, with education and healthcare taking the biggest share, including thousands of contract teachers and health staff. Energy & Industry: In Yaoundé, the Minister reassured Lafarge Cameroon (CIMENCAM) over the Figuil plant shutdown, blaming power shortages on low Lagdo dam water levels and outlining consultations for a gradual restart. World Cup Politics & Diplomacy: Cristiano Ronaldo reacted after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo, while DR Congo midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau said the team didn’t build a special plan just to stop Ronaldo—just a disciplined team effort. Sports Calendar: Matchday previews highlight Thursday fixtures, including Mexico vs South Korea, as the tournament’s early storylines keep shifting. Security Cooperation: Nigeria and Cameroon signed/renewed defence and security arrangements aimed at strengthening coordination and intelligence along their shared southern border. Trade & Investment: Yaoundé hosted PROMOTE-related activity, with Germany signaling 20 companies’ participation and a business forum to connect investors and public decision-makers. EU Funding: The EU signed grant agreements worth over CFA37 billion to support Cameroon’s digital sector plus cocoa and timber value chains.

Banking Rescue: Cameroon’s Finance Minister Motaze says government will recapitalise and restructure two banks to protect savers’ funds, preserve jobs, and restore confidence after agreements with the affected institutions and submission of a restructuring plan to COBAC. Legal-Political Tensions: Exiled opposition figure Issa Tchiroma files a France-based complaint against President Paul Biya’s regime, alleging “stolen” victory and denouncing mass detentions after the Oct. 12 election protests. Public Health Regulation: After deadly cough-syrup poisonings, Cameroon moves to tighten sales by requiring prescriptions, but critics argue the real fix is manufacturing and inspection failures, not just who sells medicines. Local Governance & Sports Facilities: PM-linked instructions order municipalities hosting Parcours Vita fitness trails to take over management, with a progress report due to the Prime Minister’s Office. Diplomacy & Trade: At PROMOTE 2026 in Yaoundé, Germany’s ambassador says 20 German firms are participating, with a German-Cameroonian business forum set for June 18. EU Support: The EU signs grant deals worth over CFA37bn to boost Cameroon’s digital economy plus cocoa and timber value chains. Regional Security: Nigeria and Cameroon sign a defence MoU in Yaoundé to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint action along their southern border and in maritime security.