OHADA, MINPMEESA Commit to Operationalize Entrepreneur Status in Cameroon

On October 15, 2026, in Cameroon, the Permanent Secretary of OHADA, Pr Mayatta Ndiaye Mbaye, and the Cameroonian Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Achille Bassilekin III, publicly committed to operationalizing the "statut de l'entreprenant" to formalize the economy and secure small economic actors. This commitment was made during the 33rd anniversary celebration of OHADA, underscoring a concerted effort between the regional harmonization body and a national ministry to promote and implement this legal status for individual entrepreneurs. The Minister emphasized its critical importance for formalizing economic activities, strengthening legal security for economic actors, and recognizing their contribution to wealth creation, particularly given that over 90% of Cameroon's economic fabric consists of informal businesses.

This initiative is profoundly significant for economic development and legal certainty across OHADA member states, especially in Cameroon. By facilitating the transition of informal businesses into the formal sector, it aims to unlock benefits such as increased tax revenue, improved access to finance, and enhanced legal protection for entrepreneurs. For legal practitioners, this signals a deliberate governmental push towards greater formalization, which will likely increase the demand for legal services related to business registration, compliance, and contract drafting for small and micro-enterprises.

The "statut de l'entreprenant" is a legal framework established under OHADA law, specifically the Uniform Act on General Commercial Law (AUDCG), designed to provide a simplified and accessible regime for individual entrepreneurs, distinct from more complex company structures. The collaboration between OHADA, a regional body responsible for harmonizing business law across 17 African states, and MINPMEESA, a national ministry in Cameroon, exemplifies the multi-level governance required to effectively implement such legal reforms. The Cameroonian legal system, like those of other OHADA members, integrates these uniform acts into its national legal framework, making their provisions directly applicable.

Key parties involved in this development include OHADA, represented by its Permanent Secretary Pr Mayatta Ndiaye Mbaye, and the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) of Cameroon, represented by Minister Achille Bassilekin III. Various technical and financial partners were also present at the event, indicating broader support for the initiative.

Attorneys should proactively anticipate an increased focus on assisting individual entrepreneurs with formalizing their businesses under the "statut de l'entreprenant." This includes advising on the simplified registration procedures, ongoing compliance requirements, and the broader legal implications of operating within the formal economy. Monitoring the specific implementation decrees, guidelines, and support programs issued by MINPMEESA and other relevant Cameroonian authorities will be crucial for providing timely and accurate legal counsel to this growing segment of the business community.