Cameroon Addresses Regulatory Hurdles to Unlock US Investment

Foreign-exchange restrictions, fintech rules, infrastructure gaps and administrative hurdles are emerging as central issues in Cameroon’s effort to attract more U.S. capital, with investors arguing that the country’s economic potential will be difficult to translate into projects without a more predictable business environment. Government officials, companies and investors gathered in Yaoundé on Aug. 26 for a Business Climate Forum organized by the U.S. Embassy and AmCham Cameroon to identify obstacles to investment in banking, fintech, technology, agribusiness and mining. AmCham Cameroon President Laure E. Djoukam said the sectors were selected because they illustrate both Cameroon’s significant opportunities and some of the cross-cutting constraints affecting investment. She pointed to natural resources, Cameroon’s position in Central Africa, access to regional markets and its young population among the country’s advantages. But investors also need predictability, transparency, efficient administrative procedures, access to financing and foreign exchange, reliable infrastructure and a regulatory and legal environment that allows businesses to plan for the long term, Djoukam said. <span style="font-size: ...