Paul Biya

Cameroon
State transfers management of National Ports Authority's assets to consulting firm Atou

In a decree signed in early December, the Minister of Domains, Cadastre and Land Affairs overturned the 2021 decision that entrusted the Douala Port Authority with the management of the assets of the former Office National des Ports du Cameroun, paving the way for the return of the company Atou.

Congo
Unable to get paid, Swiss multinational SGS exits the country

Global specialist in inspection and certification Société Générale de Surveillance is withdrawing from Congo-Brazzaville. This is due to repeated difficulties in obtaining payment from public authorities, such as with the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo.

Cameroon
Port of Douala in limbo due to politics surrounding SGS and Transatlantic D tenders

Written off at the end of January, SGS Scanning Cameroun has managed to re-enter the race for the award of the cargo inspection system at Cameroon's largest port. The turnaround highlights the executive's indecision over a matter with major security and financial implications.

Cameroon
Pope's trip still a headache for Yaoundé

Despite the Vatican's willingness and the efforts of the presidency, preparations for Pope Leo XIV's visit to the country continue to run up against major obstacles, notably in terms of security and logistics.

Cameroon
Paul Biya favours Transatlantic D for Douala Port

The Cameroonian subsidiary of Swiss company SGS has lost its battle to keep control of goods inspection at the port of the country's economic capital. This shift is linked to struggles and rivalries at top levels of government.

Palace Intrigues
Erik Prince, Oscar Sudi, Emmanuel Macron

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

MadagascarEmmanuel Macron's growing fears over Russian influence

DRCErik Prince's low-key trip to Brussels

Kenya-TanzaniaWilliam Ruto's right-hand man denied entry to Dar es Salaam

Cameroon
Northern chiefdoms unsettled by Issa Tchiroma Bakary's rise in power

The last presidential election revealed the cracks and rivalries among local prominent figures who are members of Paul Biya's party. The upcoming cabinet reshuffle risks exacerbating tensions among them within a context of post-election management and appointments for coveted positions.

Congo
Fragmented campaign set-up for presidential elections

Weakened by internal divisions and palace infighting, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's campaign is being prepared without, for the time being, calling on major international communications agencies.

Cameroon
Alliances falter within Chantal Biya's clan

Internal rifts, contested alliances and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, the first lady's inner circle is showing cracks as a cabinet reshuffle looms.

Cameroon
The timetable for upcoming elections stirs debate at top levels of government

Barely three months after being sworn in for an eighth term, President Paul Biya must decide on the date of the next parliamentary and municipal elections. A sensitive issue for an executive weakened by the head of state's disputed re-election in October.

Cameroon
Race against time in Yaoundé to host WTO conference

The Cameroonian authorities are looking for ways to accommodate the delegations taking part in the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference, scheduled to take place in the capital from 26 to 29 March.

Cameroon
Financing for Douala Port Authority's expansion finally a done deal

The promoter of the project, aimed at relieving congestion at the port, is preparing to launch the first phase of construction on the right bank of the Wouri River. With an estimated cost of €183m, the work will be financed by an AFG Bank loan.

Cameroon
New air force chief launches major fleet upgrade

At the initiative of General Benoît Bède Eba Eba, attack aircraft, transport helicopters and cargo planes that have been grounded for years are now the subject of an ambitious refurbishment plan.

Cameroon
Hilton Yaoundé to regain former glory

A tired showcase of power, Yaoundé's only five-star hotel is about to undergo a major renovation. In early December, Cameroon Hotels Corp launched a call for tenders to recruit a project manager to oversee a large-scale refurbishment.

Cameroon
Security apparatus shaken by internal investigation to backdrop of clan warfare

A discreet investigation conducted within the Ministry of Defence has revived latent rivalries at the highest levels of the state, involving the realignment of members of the government, institutional tensions and internal friction within the armed forces.

Cameroon
Government settles part of its debt with Advens-Geocoton

At the height of the post-election crisis, the industrial operator received an initial payment on its claim relating to the sale of its shares in Sodecoton to the State. The balance was cleared in full with help from the firm Financia Capital.