Edison Fru Ndi, North West Regional Delegate of the Chamber of Commerce
The North West Regional Delegation of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industriedls, Mines and Crafts (CCIMC) North West, in collaboration with MINEPAT, has engaged business operators in the region on the functioning of the 2026 Finance Law and the benefits available to them.
This comes at a time when the North West Region has faced a difficult economic situation for close to nine years due to the crisis, which has led to the collapse of many businesses and the relocation of others. Despite these challenges, economic actors are being encouraged to look ahead with renewed confidence.
The Regional Delegate flanked by the SG of the Regional Assembly (R) and the Chief of the North West Customs Sector (L)
The Regional Delegate of CCIMC North West, Edison Fru Ndi, noted that:
“We are moving from resilience to economic growth with incentives and customs exemptions available for importers who follow the right channel.”
He emphasized the importance of understanding the finance law:
“The finance law is like the economic roadmap of the nation. It shows how money is collected, how it is spent, and how it is invested back into the economy.”
According to him, compliance remains key:
“In order to succeed in business and with the state, you have to be compliant. If not, there are sanctions, and nobody wants to pay penalties.”
Some of the key innovations in the 2026 Finance Law focus on promoting Cameroon’s economic growth and improving livelihoods. Central to this is the import substitution policy, which encourages local production and exportation of goods that Cameroon can produce effectively.
He added:
“Whatever we pay as taxes comes back to us in one way or another through projects and opportunities.”
The law also introduces measures that support job creation and community development. Persons with disabilities benefit from customs duty exemptions on tricycles, while materials for vocational training enjoy reduced costs to encourage youth employment.
In terms of business opportunities, operators who follow the proper channels can access several incentives.
These include tax relief on medical equipment imports for 24 months, a 30% reduction on dietary supplements, and customs duty exemptions for water and electricity extension projects, as well as renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, and biomass.
Additionally, businesses operating in this economic disaster zone can benefit from special tax advantages if they create at least ten direct jobs and use local raw materials. However, these incentives apply mainly to new investments and profits derived from them.
Existing companies are not left out. Those seeking to renew their equipment can benefit from up to 30% of investment costs, capped at 100 million FCFA over three financial years, provided their plans are validated by tax authorities. Failure to comply with approved investment plans may lead to the loss of all benefits and exposure to penalties.
Epie Jerome
Speaking on customs innovations, Epie Jerome stressed the need to rethink import habits and promote local production:
“We must encourage what we can produce locally and reduce what we import unnecessarily.”
He illustrated this with simple examples:
“We import toothpicks made from bamboo, yet we have bamboo here. We import rice, yet we produce rice in Ndop.”
He further advised business operators to always seek guidance
“There are many advantages in the finance law and investment code, but business operators must seek information to benefit from them.”
Cross section of participants
On support for start-ups, he noted:
“New businesses producing local goods can benefit from up to three years of tax exemption.”
He concluded with a strong call to action
“Business operators should be informed, be compliant, and leverage opportunities.”
The engagement also served as a platform for dialogue, allowing business operators to express concerns, particularly regarding customs procedures, and receive clarifications from authorities.
Overall, the session highlighted that while the North West Region continues to face economic difficulties, there are clear opportunities for recovery and growth. With better understanding, compliance, and strategic investment, businesses in the region can begin to rebuild and thrive once again.
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