**Cameroon faces the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: A governance and reputational challenge**
Resource-rich Cameroon is at a critical crossroads regarding its participation in the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Last December, the country missed a crucial deadline by failing to submit its 2022 activity report. This neglect could lead to its delisting from the EITI by 2027, a situation that raises concerns about the country’s governance, civic engagement and international reputation.
**A call for a delay: Beyond administrative hazards**
Mines Minister Gentry Fuh Calistus has requested a ten-week delay to submit the missing report, citing “hazards in the appointment of civil society representatives” to the new EITI national committee. These excuses reveal a deeper reality: a lack of anticipation in the face of already known requirements and administrative management that is often perceived as inefficient. The story of an administrative setback actually masks a systemic governance problem.
Good governance requires proactive planning, and Cameroon, as a member of a global initiative promoting transparency, must integrate these principles into its institutions. In 2023, the growing number of signatory states, with 56 countries representing more than $3 trillion in public revenues in the extractive sector, highlights the importance of rapid and effective communication.
**A reputational risk with multiple repercussions**
Cameroon’s current suspension from the EITI, which dates back to last March, has already led to a weakening of its position on the international scene. The presence of the shadow of the Glencore affair, marked by corruption and embezzlement scandals, has exacerbated this reputational challenge. Cameroon’s difficulty in complying with EITI transparency standards could discourage foreign investors, concerned about political instability and regulatory non-compliance.
In comparison, other countries, such as Ghana and Tanzania, have successfully navigated EITI requirements by strengthening their governance systems and fostering a conducive investment climate. These nations have not only seen an increase in foreign direct investment in the extractive sector, but have also strengthened their stature on the international stage, becoming models of transparency.
**Civil Society’s Voice: A Sine Qua Non**
The Role of Civil Society in EITI is Crucial. The fact that the EITI Board has expressed concerns about civil society participation in Cameroon underlines the importance of open and inclusive dialogue in the governance process. Civil society, as a key observer, plays a role of alert and critical interlocutor, ensuring that public interests are defended.
Henri Njoh Manga Bell, President of Transparency International Cameroon, is right to speak of a “lack of political will”. This observation is not limited to the extractive sector; it echoes a broader trend observed in several African countries, where public authorities are struggling to establish a transparent framework, raising fears about the sustainability of local democracies.
**Conclusion: a turning point to seize rather than fear**
Cameroon is at a pivotal moment. The possibility of delisting from the EITI should not be seen only as a threat, but as an opportunity to reform its governance structures and assert its commitment to increased transparency. Submitting a robust report and reintegrating into the EITI could enable Cameroon to restore investor confidence, attract new funding and strengthen its economic development while promoting better management of natural resources.
It is imperative that the government and civil society work together to engage in constructive dialogue. Empowering Cameroon to meet its EITI commitments could be the key to transforming an unfavourable situation into a lever for positive change for Cameroon. Transparency, far from being a constraint, could prove to be the vector of a bright future for a country seeking sustainable development and emergence.