October election: GeCAM urges candidates to campaign on addressing economic woes….

The appeal is the content of a statement which GeCAM President, Celestin Tawamba, issued on August 20. He said as the nation looks forward to the election it “…is crucial that the priorities of businesses, the engine of growth, jobs, and structural transformation — are addressed concretely and ambitiously”.

He decried slow pace of industrialization, underscoring that Cameroon is just a decade away from President Paul Biya’s trumpeted target of achieving emergence by 2035.

Tawamba said the country’s journey toward industrialisation, robust infrastructure, improved governance, and a more business-friendly climate remains painfully slow.

He cited unreliable power supply, limited financing and cumbersome administrative procedures as some of the major challenges. 

Tawamba lamented that local businesses continue to face hurdles that stifle innovation, job creation, and wealth generation.

Push for credibility, stability

While maintaining its non-partisan stance, GeCAM through its leader, insisted that the upcoming poll must be transparent, credible, and peaceful to inspire investor confidence and social stability.

GeCAM reminded presidential candidates on the need to "engage in a genuine debate of ideas backed by clear, credible, and cost programs with measurable impact".

Barriers stifling economic growth

GeCAM pointed out the persistent obstacles crippling economic performance, including: Inadequate infrastructure; unstable regulations, bureaucratic bottlenecks, heavy tax burden, limited financing opportunities and widespread corruption.

Compounded by global economic uncertainties, Tawamba wrote that these issues continue to dampen investment and erode the resilience of the productive sector.

Private sector priorities

Despite years of submitting proposals calling for the modernization of infrastructure to driving industrialization, he indicated that, most of such suggestions have been ignored or implemented at a very slow pace.

In the October election, GeCAM said it will closely scrutinize candidates’ plans, particularly those promising to reform the tax system; accelerate infrastructure projects, end persistent power outages, fully digitize public services, and strengthen legal and judicial security.

The Tawamba-signed statement also said GeCAM will look for programs from candidates that seek to stabilize investment incentives, align training programs with market needs, support industrialization and economic sovereignty.

“The October 12 election must not be another routine political exercise,” Tawamba warned, adding that “it should mark a decisive break from outdated models towards a vision of shared prosperity and economic justice.”

Call for unity

Looking ahead, GeCAM pledged to be a “demanding but constructive partner” of the next government to champion bold reforms that foster inclusive and growth.

It also urged captains of industries, traders, and entrepreneurs nationwide to remain steadfast in their role as drivers of innovation, job creation, and national cohesion.

“At a time when choices are being made that will shape Cameroon’s future, clarity, responsibility, and long-term vision must guide our decisions,” Tawamba concluded, noting that “together, we can build a new economic contract for emergence.”

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3544 of Monday August 25, 2025