Ernst & Young (EY) has appointed Anselme Njiakin Patipewe to lead its operations in Cameroon and Chad. Patipewe, formerly the firm's Tax Partner for Cameroon, succeeds former Country Managing Partner Abdoulaye Mouchili, who has left the network. The move is a key part of EY's strategic plan to split its Francophone African operations into two independent networks, an announcement made in July 2025.
Choosing a leader from within the organization addresses two main needs: ensuring leadership continuity and stabilizing the firm during a pivotal time. "The choice fell on a leader who knows the local ecosystem perfectly and is able to ensure service continuity, maintain team momentum, and strengthen our position as a strategic partner," a source familiar with the decision said.
A member of the EY network for more than ten years, Patipewe is known for his expertise in tax and business law. These skills are considered crucial in an economic environment marked by constant fiscal and regulatory reforms. His deep knowledge of the Cameroonian and Chadian markets, combined with his proven leadership, was a key factor in the decision.
Patipewe's roadmap has three priorities: ensuring operational stability and excellence, guiding teams through a transition that EY presents as "full of opportunities," and strengthening relationships with local stakeholders. The stated goal is to ensure a smooth transition to a more agile organization better adapted to local realities.
This appointment also reflects a broader repositioning of the consulting sector in Central Africa. Following the withdrawal of PwC Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa (PwC AFSS) from ten countries in the region, the gradual disengagement of major international firms is creating a new competitive landscape. In this new environment, consulting firms must now meet higher expectations for local presence, responsiveness, and expertise.
For EY, the stake is clear: turn a forced reorganization into a strategic opportunity by relying on leaders with deep roots in the regional ecosystem. Whether this strategy will be enough to maintain the trust of major corporations and institutions that rely on these global firms for their tax, financial, and organizational choices remains to be seen.
Amina Malloum