Beyond remittances, Cameroon wants to tap its diaspora's expertise to support local development. The country is looking to leverage the experience of elected officials of Cameroonian origin serving in France to strengthen municipalities and improve decentralized governance.
From July 8 to 12, Cameroon hosted the first forum of Efracam (Elected Officials in France of Cameroonian Origin or Nationality), bringing together Franco-Cameroonian elected officials, local government leaders, and institutional partners in Yaoundé, Buea, Elig-Mfomo, Kribi, and Douala.
The five-day event was designed to turn ties between the diaspora and Cameroonian municipalities into concrete development projects. Held under the theme "The Contribution of Diaspora Elected Officials to Territorial Development," the forum reflects a broader shift in how the government views the role of the diaspora. Rather than focusing solely on the financial transfers that have long supported households and local economies, authorities are now looking to leverage the professional experience and institutional knowledge acquired by Cameroonian officials serving in French local governments.
Organizers highlighted expertise in public service management, urban planning, environmental transition, territorial attractiveness, and access to international financing as areas where diaspora officials could support municipalities across Cameroon.
The objective is to move beyond symbolic exchanges by jointly developing projects in infrastructure, urban planning, access to basic services, environmental management, training, and local economic development.
Organizers also hope to establish lasting partnerships between Cameroonian municipalities and French local governments represented by elected officials of Cameroonian origin, creating long-term channels for sharing expertise and strengthening institutional capacity.
Supporting decentralization
The initiative comes as decentralization takes on a growing role in Cameroon's public policy agenda. As more responsibilities are transferred to decentralized local authorities, municipalities are expected to play a greater role in implementing development policies. That transition, however, has also exposed significant needs in technical expertise, financing, and governance.
To help address those challenges, the forum aims to establish a permanent network linking diaspora elected officials with Cameroonian local governments, facilitating knowledge transfer, the exchange of best practices, and access to technical and financial partners.
United Councils and Cities of Cameroon (CVUC), a partner in the initiative, says decentralized cooperation has become an important tool for mobilizing additional resources, attracting investment, and strengthening the capacity of local governments.
Through the forum, the organization hopes to encourage innovative partnerships between Cameroonian municipalities and French local authorities while promoting the exchange of skills, expertise, and innovation. The next challenge will be turning those ambitions into tangible projects.
Franco-Cameroonian elected officials bring experience with European funding mechanisms, local government management, and institutional networks that could help municipalities develop and finance major projects.
For Cameroon's local governments, the initiative offers the prospect of a more operational partnership with the diaspora—one built not only on ties to the country of origin, but also on the expertise, professional skills, and international networks its members have developed abroad.
P.N.N