Tar72 cameroon by The Africa Report

SOUTH AFRICA End of rainbow diplomacy

The Nigerians are coming

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How Africa can establish and defend its brands against global competitors

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SOUTH AFRICA End of rainbow diplomacy

CONTENTS

The Nigerians are coming

w w w.t he af ricarep or t.com

N ° 72 • JU LY 2015

How Africa can establish and defend its brands against global competitors

Fight for your opyright

THE AFRICA REPORT # 72 - JULY 2015

GROUPE JEUNE AFRIQUE INTERNATIONAL EDITION

Algeria 550 DA • Angola 600 Kwanza • Austria 4.90 € • Belgium 4.90 € • Canada 6.95 CAN$ • Denmark 60 DK • Ethiopia 75 Birr • France 4.90 € Germany 4.90 € • Ghana 7 GH¢ • Italy 4.90 € • Kenya 410 shillings • Liberia $LD 300 • Morocco 50 DH • Netherlands 4.90 € • Nigeria 600 naira Norway 60 NK • Portugal 4.90 € • Sierra Leone LE 12,000 • South Africa 35 rand (tax incl.) • Spain 4.90 € • Switzerland 9.90 FS • Tanzania 9,000 shillings Tunisia 8 DT • Uganda 9,000 shillings • UK £ 4.50 • United States US$ 6.95 • Zambia 30 ZMW • Zimbabwe US$ 4 • CFA Countries 3,500 FCFA

BUSINESS

4 EDITORIAL Justice must cut both ways

64 NIGERIA Dangote’s smooth landing With a new government in power, the business magnate is betting on his huge refinery and agriculture projects taking off

6 LETTERS 8 THE QUESTION

BRIEFING 10 SIGNPOSTS

68 SOUTH KOREA-AFRICA Samsung leads the charge

16 INTERNATIONAL 18 PEOPLE 20 CALENDAR

70 INTERVIEW Vivian Imerman, Vasari Global chairman 72 AfDB New leadership, same direction

FRONTLINE 22 BRAND AFRICA Fight for your ©opyright Bootleg goods keep Africa’s informal economies afloat but governments must do more to protect traditional knowledge

73 HANNIBAL LOGISTICS DOSSIER

POLITICS 28 NIGERIA Knight in northern armour Nasir El-Rufai, the new governor of Kaduna, is the self-styled “rescuer” of northern Nigeria hoping to kickstart the economy

32 SOUTH AFRICA Contradictions hurt foreign policy

ART & LIFE 82 AFROFUTURISM Seeing parallel worlds A new wave of African creatives are remoulding the past and present into fantastic futures

37 ETHIOPIA Generational freeze 38 TANZANIA The race is on 38 ANGOLA Vengeful sentence 43 GHANA Changing of the guard 44 ANANSI

COUNTRY FOCUS 47 CAMEROON Hopes on hold Cameroon’s youthful population means President Paul Biya must manage a delicate handover to the next generation •

N ° 72

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78 EGYPT A new canal for a new economy 80 EAST AFRICA Rail to the rescue Governments are betting big that new railways will boost competitiveness with Asia

34 KENYA What does Kenya want?

THE AFRICA REPORT

74 Transnet transformed The South African state-owned transport company shunts forward with its plans for a regional infrastructure strategy

J U LY 2 015

86 BRIEFS The Venice Biennale 88 LIFESTYLE Reggae artist Bebe Cool and Getting inked in Cairo 89 TRAVEL Snorkelling in Mozambique 90 DAY IN THE LIFE Sidi Diokh, Senegalese traditional wrestling referee

This issue carries a loose insert for selected countries

EDITORIAL

THE AFRICA REPORT A Groupe Jeune Afrique publication

BY PATRICK SMITH

57-BIS, RUE D’AUTEUIL – 75016 PARIS – FRANCE TEL: (33) 1 44 30 19 60 – FAX: (33) 1 44 30 19 30 www.theafricareport.com

Justice must cut both ways

ike Groucho Marx, South Africa does not want to belong to a club that will accept it as a member. This time, the club in question is the International Criminal Court (ICC). What could be the final showdown over South Africa’s membership of the ICC was prompted by the fiasco of the arrival of Sudan’s indicted President Omar al-Bashir at the African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg on 13 June and his forced departure on 15 June. South Africa, with the moral strength from its struggle against apartheid, was a key signatory of the ICC’s Rome Statutes. The governing African National Congress now says the ICC is “no longer useful for the purposes for which it was intended – being a court of last resort for the prosecution of crimes against humanity.” The ICC’s charges against Bashir are based on the deaths of more than 300,000 people in the Darfur region a decade ago. The latest United Nations (UN) reports say at least 78,000 people have been forcibly displaced in Darfur this year and there are unverified reports of 130,000 more chased from their homes by the government’s Rapid Support Forces and state-backed militias. The current fate of Darfur shows the same short attention span that has stymied the development of the ICC. The court’s international backers have to show that justice must cut both ways: if the US was to ratify the Rome Statutes, it would add pressure on Russia and China to follow suit, making it far less of an Africa-centric affair. ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, as a top Gambian lawyer trained in Nigeria, is sensitive to the charge that the ICC is pursuing

CHA I R M A N A ND F O UND E R BÉCHIR BEN YAHMED P UB L I S HE R DANIELLE BEN YAHMED publisher@theafricareport.com E X E CUT I VE P UB L I S HE R JÉRÔME MILLAN

selective justice against Africa. She has also made the point that the UN Security Council, which authorised the ICC investigation and prosecution, should take much more serious action if it wants the court to press its charges against President Bashir. The Security Council, which could not agree on a resolution to refer Syria to the ICC this year, should back a French proposal that no council member should use its veto The fate when considering crimes against humanof Darfur ity. It should also suphighlights port the ICC’s implethe short mentation of witness protection programmes attention and effective and span that technologically savvy investigations. As a has stymied senior UN official tells the ICC The Africa Report: “If Loretta Lynch and the FBI can work out who laundered the money at FIFA, the ICC should be able to prove who ordered the killings of hundreds of thousands of people in Africa.” Another development for the court that could win it wider credibility is the membership of Palestine this year, which could trigger investigations into allegations of war crimes carried out by both Israel and Hamas. There have also been a slew of proposals for hybrid courts – in Central African Republic, South Sudan, Guatemala and Kosovo – combining the knowledge of national judiciaries with the guarantees of international jurists. These could help the ICC to win back support. For the sake of the hundreds of thousands of victims of atrocities, let’s hope it succeeds. ●

M A R K E T I NG & D E VE L O P M E NT ALISON KINGSLEY-HALL E D I T O R I N CHI E F PATRICK SMITH M A NA G I NG E D I T O R NICHOLAS NORBROOK editorial@theafricareport.com A S S I S TA NT E D I T O R CHARLIE HAMILTON A S S O CI AT E E D I T O R MARSHALL VAN VALEN E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA NT OHENEBA AMA NTI OSEI R E G I O NA L E D I T O R S PARSELELO KANTAI (EAST AFRICA) CRYSTAL ORDERSON (SOUTHERN AFRICA) TOLU OGUNLESI (NIGERIA) BILLIE ADWOA MCTERNAN (GHANA) S UB - E D I T O R S ALISON CULLIFORD ERIN CONROY P R O O F R E A D I NG KATHLEEN GRAY A RT D I R E CT O R MARC TRENSON DESIGN VALÉRIE OLIVIER CHRISTOPHE CHAUVIN P R O D UCT I O N PHILIPPE MARTIN CHRISTIAN KASONGO R E S E A R CH SYLVIE FOURNIER P HO T O G R A P HY CLAIRE VATTEBLED O NL I NE PRINCE OFORI-ATTA SALES SANDRA DROUET SOLÈNE DEFRANCQ Tel: (33) 1 44 30 18 07 – Fax: (33) 1 45 20 09 67 sales@theafricareport.com CONTACT FOR SUBSCRIPTION: Webscribe Ltd Unit 8 The Old Silk Mill Brook Street, Tring Hertfordshire HP23 5EF United Kingdom Tel: + 44 (0) 1442 820580 Fax: + 44 (0) 1442 827912 Email: subs@webscribe.co.uk 1 year subscription (10 issues): All destinations: €39 - $60 - £35 TO ORDER ONLINE: www.theafricareportstore.com D I F CO M INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AND COMMUNICATION AGENCY 57-BIS, RUE D’AUTEUIL 75016 PARIS - FRANCE Tel: (33) 1 44 30 19-60 – Fax: (33) 1 44 30 18 34 advertising@theafricareport.com A D VE RT I S I NG D I R E CT O R NATHALIE GUILLERY WITH JEANNY CHABON R E G I O NA L M A NA G E R S FADOUA YAQOBI LILIA BENACEUR ELODIE BOUSSONNIERE US R E P R E S E NTAT I VE AZIZA ALBOU a.albou@groupeja.com

editorial@theafricareport.com THE AFRICA REPORT

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PRINTER: SIEP 77 - FRANCE N° DE COMMISSION PARITAIRE : 0715 I 86885 Dépôt légal à parution / ISSN 1950-4810 THE AFRICA REPORT is published by GROUPE JEUNE AFRIQUE

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LETTERS For all your comments, suggestions and queries, please write to: The Editor, The Africa Report, 57bis Rue d’Auteuil - Paris 75016 - France. or editorial@theafricareport.com

GHANA’S NPP MUST DEAL WITH THE TAG OF ‘AKANISM’

MINING Dealing in the downturn

NIGERIA What can Buhari do for Africa?

SOUTH AFRICA The DA’s Maimane comes out fighting

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N ° 71 • J U N E 2 0 15

ana Akufo-Addo and the NPP [New Patriotic Party] are right to compare the result of the Nigerian elections to what they could have when Ghana heads to the polls in 2016 [‘Ghana is bankrupt and back in the hands of the IMF’, TAR71 Nana Akufo-Addo June 2015]. But the NPP have their work cut out “Ghana for them with regard to claims by their opponents is bankrupt” that they are too reliant on the Akan vote. They need to accept that the problem does really exist and it’s not just a propaganda weapon, so that they can focus their efforts on correcting this unfortunate image and stand a good chance in 2016. Dealing with the tag of ‘Akanism’ should be one of their main objectives as a party seeking power in a highly ethnicized country like Ghana. That said, I wish Nana and the NPP well in their endeavours to win power and bring about the change Ghana desperately needs. Lawrence Adu-Gyamfi, via email EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

The leader of the opposition says the government has brought the country to its knees, and offers his own economic remedies

GROUPE JEUNE AFRIQUE

GHANA EDITION

THE RIGHT WAY TO TACKLE AFRICA’S DRUG PROBLEM Some years back, I riled South African media by stating that South Africa had lost the war on drugs. Today, after reading Farai Sevenzo’s article [‘Addiction in Africa’, TAR70 May 2015], I am sad to say that Africa has lost the war. The real question is what can be done? As the head of The Anti Drug Alliance of South Africa I find many are shocked when I start talking about legalisation and decriminalisation. Africa’s stance of fighting the problem with a big stick has not worked and will never work. We need to look at laws that treat drugs as a health problem,

not a criminal problem. Using outdated methodologies for treatment is also pointless. It is time Africa realised that drugs are not going away, and that dealing with abuse and addiction is the way forward, not fighting a tsunami of drugs entering our continent.

them will require multiple measures in African and non-African countries alike, to usher in a fiscal revolution that will provide not just sufficiency of resources, but enable resources to be spent on addressing inequality. Progress on these areas can be made in 2015, as the Financing for Development Conference and Sustainable Development Goals negotiations enable new, global commitments to implement policies such as public country-by-country reporting, public registers of the real owners of companies, equality in international tax policy development, and transparent, accountable budgeting. Joseph Stead, Senior Economic Justice Adviser, Christian Aid, via email

SAFETY WILL BRING BACK EGYPT’S TOURISTS

I was very interested by your article ‘Waiting for the big spenders’ [TAR69 Apr 2015] about Egypt’s failing tourism industry. As someone who spent a Quintin van Kerken considerable time in Egypt, and worked CEO, The Anti Drug Alliance, via email very hard to bring tourists back after the revolution, I can say that the real problem with the tourism industry is safety. The tourist board’s focus 2015: A CHANCE TO END should not be on specific segments ILLICIT FINANCIAL FLOWS (the Gulf Arabs or the Chinese), As you outline in ‘Cash, oil & blood’ but on creating a lasting, safe image [TAR69 Apr 2015], the processes that for Egypt the world over. Only then will enable illicit financial flows from Africa the big spenders come back. Mona Ibrahim, via email are many and global in nature. Tackling

HOW TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE AFRICA REPORT On sale at your usual outlet. If you experience problems obtaining your copy, please contact your local distributor, as shown below. GHANA: TM HUDU ENTERPRISE, T. M. Hudu, +233 (0)209 007 620, +233 (0)247 584 290, tmhuduenterprise@gmail.com – KENYA: NATION MEDIA GROUP, Antony Mutunga,+254 (0)72 15 19734, amutunga@ke.nationmedia.com – NIGERIA: NEWSSTAND AGENCIES LTD, Solomon Otinwa, +234 (0)709 8123 459, newsstand2008@gmail. com – SIERRA LEONE: RAI GERB ENTERPRISES, Mohammad Gerber, +232 (0)336 72 469, raigerbenterprise@gmail.com – SOUTHERN AFRICA: RNA DISTRIBUTION, Butch Courtney, +27 (0)11 602 9800, butchc@mad.co.za • SUBSCRIPTIONS: RAMSAY MEDIA, Karin Mulder, +27 860 100 204, subs@ramsaymedia.co.za – TANZANIA: MWANANCHI COMMUNICATIONS, Emmanuel J Lyimo, +255 716 500 500, elyimo@tz.nationmedia.com – UGANDA: MONITOR PUBLICATIONS LTD, Stephen Eselu, +256 (0)702 178 198, seselu@ug.nationmedia.com – UNITED KINGDOM: COMAG, Mark Swan, +44 (0)1895 433791, Mark.Swan@comag.co.uk – UNITED STATES & CANADA: LMPI, Sylvain Fournier, +1 514 355 5610, lmpi@lmpi.com – ZAMBIA: BOOKWORLD LTD, Shivani Patel, +260 (0)211 230 606, bookworld@realtime.zm – ZIMBABWE: MUNN For other regions go to www.theafricareport.com MARKETING (PVT) LTD, Nick Ncube, +263 (0)4 662755, nickncube@munnmarketing.co.zw

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX CMA CGM p 2; LIQUID TELECOM p 5; ICB 2015 p 7; DSTV AFRICA MAGIC p 9; REP. OF GUINEA p 12-13; ADEXEN p 21; APPSTECH p 21; GLOBAL MEDIA ALLIANCE p 36; REP. OF COTE D’IVOIRE p 39-42; BIOPHARMA p 45; BIOPHARMA p 46; NANA BOUBA GROUP p 50-51; BGFI BANK CAMEROON p 53; TRADEX SA p 55; SOGETRA p 57; SMARTRACK AFRICA p 59; CDC p 62-63; C2I EASYHALLS p 63; BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA p 77; DDP OUTDOOR p 77; ECOWAS p 79; EKO HOTELS p 81; CNN p 91; NECOTRANS p 92 – MIX TELEMATICS: LOOSE INSERT

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briefing

CALENDAR

CAINE PRIZE FOR AFRICAN WRITING 6 July OxFORD | UK The shortlisted five this year include a past winner, Nigerian Segun Afolabi (1); and two previously shortlisted writers, Namwali Serpell (2) from Zambia and Nigerian Elnathan John (3). South African newcomers F T Kola (4) and Masande Ntshanga (5) are the other contenders for

AFRICA PORTS & HARBOURS SHOW 2015 30 June – 1 July JOHANNESBURG | SOUTH AFRICA terrapinn.com

AFRICAN EDUWEEK 1-2 July

AFRICA WRITES 3-5 July LONDON | UK A book fair, performance poetry, an evening with acclaimed Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri and a Caine Prize debate are some of the highlights of this annual event at the British Library. africawrites.org

JOHANNESBURG | SOUTH AFRICA A brand new platform, E-Tech Africa, will be introduced at SABC Education’s usually well-attended show. educationweek.co.za

AGN ASSEMBLY 1-3 July ARUSHA | TANZANIA The African Grantmakers Network (AGN) raises the profile of African philanthropy. africangrantmakersnetwork.org

NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2-12 July GRAHAMSTOWN | SOUTH AFRICA Performance and visual arts festival at the university city of Grahamstown. nationalartsfestival.co.za

the £10,000 prize money, which last year went to Kenyan writer Okwiri Oduor. Award-winning South African author Zoë Wicomb and her team of judges will announce the winning short story at a dinner in the Weston Library in Oxford, and with only two of the authors on the shortlist based on the continent the debate about what constitutes “African” writing is sure to be hot conversation. www.caineprize.com

POWER-GEN AFRICA & DISTRIBUTECH 15-17 July

AFRIKAKTIV FESTIVAL 23-26 July

CAPE TOWN | SOUTH AFRICA The race to keep up with demand for electricity creates opportunities all along the value chain. powergenafrica.com M

TÜBINGEN | GERMANY The annual cultural and arts event focuses on Cameroon this year. afrikafestival.net

NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY 18 July GLOBAL mandeladay.com

4-26 July THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM & FRANCE For the first time ever, an African-registered team, South African MTNQhubeka, will compete in the cycling event after winning one of the five wildcard invites to the 2015 race. letour.fr

LAND FORCES AFRICA 6-7 July PRETORIA | SOUTH AFRICA landforcesafrica.com

ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 18-26 July ZANZIBAR | TANZANIA An inspiring programme of feature and documentary films strong on human rights themes begins with the award-winning tribute to Dr King, Selma. ziff.or.tz

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT (GES) 25-26 July NAIROBI | KENYA Launched in 2009 by President Barack Obama, the summit’s 6th edition will be held in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time with more than 1,200 attendees, including Obama himself, expected to participate. ges2015.org

FILDA 21-26 July

SOUTH AFRICAN BOOK FAIR 31 July – 2 August

LUANDA | ANGOLA Multi-sector trade show. fil-angola.co.ao

CAPE TOWN | SOUTH AFRICA southafricanbookfair.co.za the africa report

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COUNTRY FOCUS Cameroon

How will President Paul Biya manage the handover to the next generation?

Hopes on hold The majority of Cameroon’s population is under 18, and many of them feel that the deck is stacked against them. As the over-70s continue to monopolise politics and business the young are increasingly expressing their frustrations. The Africa Report listened to what they have to say

By Reinnier Kazé in Yaoundé

THE AFRICA REPORT

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nCameroon,youngpeoplestruggleto realise their dreams in a country that theysayisrackedwithcorruptionand poor governance. The economy does not create enough employment to provide work for all who earn diplomas, forcing many to take up informal jobs to get by. Older people control almost all powerful posts in politics and business, further strengthening the frustration felt by young people. About 10 years ago, 30-year-old Annick dreamed of becoming a political analyst and one day the first female

COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

URBAN POPULATION (% of total)

53%1

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH

55.12

president of the country. Today, she says that she has lost all such hope: “Cameroon destroys our dreams.” It is a feeling shared by many of her peers. Cameroon has an estimated population of 20 million, and people under the age of 18 make up more than half of that number. More than 40% of the population also lives in poverty, and less than a third of people have access to water and electricity. Young people face two major difficulties: access to education and access to employment. Thierry Batoum, the president of the Association de Défense des Droits des Etudiants du Cameroun, the country’s largest student group, says: “Young people are desperate, inactive, marginalised and excluded. They are also in the grip of poverty, unemployment and a lack of opportunities.”

INFANT MORTALITY (per 1,000 births)

72.82

SELLING CANDY

200 km

CHAD

Garoua

NIGERIA

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

CAMEROON Douala YAOUNDÉ

Gulf of Guinea EQUATORIAL GUINEA

GABON

CONGO

SOURCES: WORLD BANK 20131, AFRICAN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 20142, UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT 2014 REPORT3, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS CAMEROON 20144

CAMEROON IN NUMBERS POPULATION

22.25 million1

AID FLOWS

$596 million2

FDI, INFLOWS (current US$)

$572 million3

GDP (current US$)

$29.57 billion1

GDP GROWTH (annual %)

5.6%1

AGRICULTURE, VALUE ADDED (% of GDP) 22.9%1 INFLATION, CONSUMER PRICES (annual %) 1.94 INTERNET USERS (per 100 people)

6.41

MOBILE CELLULAR SUBSCRIPTIONS (per 100 people)

701

OIL EXPORTS/IMPORTS (2007-2016, percent of GDP) 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Oil exports

Oil imports

2007 08 09 10

11 12

Net Oil exports

13 14 15 16

SOURCE: IMF COUNTRY REPORT, JULY 2014

GDP PER SECTOR (2013, percent) Government

17.5%

Primary Sector

21.4%

Secondary Sector (excl. oil)

20.2%

Tertiary sector (non-government)

37.5%

Oil

3.5%

While most parents understand the necessity of sending their children to school at a young age, in many cases they are unable to pay for them to finish their studies. Abrenam Kemaleu, and dirty lecture theatre. Libraries are 21, studied physics at the University of Yaoundé I until October 2014. He had to under-resourced and laboratories are stop because his ailing mother could no severely lacking supplies. At times, unialong afford the cost of his studies. He versity housing can suffer from monthstill goes back to campus but now it is to long water cuts. sell candy, biscuits and chocolate. “It’s Student leader Batoum explains the frustrating to see my former classmates difficult conditions that students live in class in the lecture halls,” he explains. in: “We often receive complaints about He now has just 15,000 CFA francs ($25) sexual assaults on women and even on in working capital. Besides getting by, he men. Students are left to themselves. says that he hopes “to put a bit of money They do not have any special benefits to the side to start classes again later on”. and do not get discounts, like our elders There are no real measures in place did, on transport or buying academic to help students like Abrenam. Until materials. They do not get any help in the 1993 education reforms university terms of healthcare.” was free and the government awarded Cameroonian economist Thomas scholarships to bright students so that Babissakana says: “The teaching conthey could study abroad at no cost. The tent does not match the demands of government has since abanproductive sectors of the ecodoned many scholarships, and nomy. It is a system that does students must now pay fees not target real development.” at university. Many parents Those who do graduate of55.12% cannot afford the 50,000 CFA ten have difficulty finding jobs. Employers complain about the francs a year in tuition fees, 53.44% lack of qualified candidates on top of what students need for housing, utilities, transport and at the same time, there and study materials. are many more job-seekers 2013 2014 This year, Cameroon’s eight than openings. state universities are teaching Agriculture (see page 56) is Pass rate more than 300,000 students in a major employer, and telefor the an austere and troubling envircom companies and breweries baccalauréat onment. At the University of have created many jobs reSOURCE: OFFICE Yaoundé I, 1,000-2,000 students cently. Small enterprises conDU BACCALAUREAT are crammed into a cramped tribute a lot of employment, DU CAMEROUN THE AFRICA REPORT

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CAMEROON | COUNTRY FOCUS

abroad – either legally or as an undocumented migrant. An official from the employment ministry who requested anonymity explains: “We understand the worries of the youth. There are a multitude of projects and government programmes to help young people find work, but these initiatives have a tendency to overlap and leave the impression that the government is doing nothing for them.”

RENAUD VAN DER MEEREN/EDITONSDUJAGUAR

NO ROOM AT THE TOP

but Babissakana explains that banks are reluctant to lend to small companies, and the microfinance interest rates are often very high. The government has been talking about setting up a bank focused on agriculture since 2011, but the institution is not yet operational. There are no reliable or up-to-date statistics on employment. In 2009, the Institut National de la Statistique (INS) estimated that there were 582,000 employees. Of that total, the state provided 196,000 and the private sector 386,000. And yet the INS said that there were 10 million people working at the time, pointing to the significance of the informal sector and the self-employed. STAGNANT PRIVATE SECTOR

According to Babissakana, the government deliberately obfuscates employment figures in order to deflect criticism. He argues that the unemployment rate is “more than 20%” and says that “you would expect companies in the private sector to create jobs, but the business environment is not very attractive.” He points the finger at government: “Corruption is the primary factor that slows the development of private companies.” He adds that difficult access to finance is another handicap. Annick, who dreamed of a career in politics, studied economics in Cameroon THE AFRICA REPORT

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Universities are crowded and under-funded, but even with a degree job prospects are few

Cameroonians in their 30s have known only one national president: Paul Biya, 82, who has been in power since 1982. In addition to the presidency, the senate, the national assembly, the civil service, parastatals, the army and the universities are run by people of an elder generation. The same goes for opposition political parties too. In 2013, student Denis Atangana tried to shake things up when a new party, the Mouvement pour la Renaissance du Cameroun, fielded him as its candidate in local elections in his home town of Monatélé. The official results gave him 41% of the vote, which was a major show of support, but Atangana claims his victory was “stolen” and that local members of the ruling Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC) bribed and intimidated the electorate to get the result they wanted. “Senior citizens have confiscated the political scene,” he says. “I dreamed of being mayor by 25 but the RDPC annihilated this dream.” Despite their frustrations, young people have thought long and hard about how Cameroon could change for the better. Atangana says the government should reform the constitution to re-

but has been unable to get even an internship or a work experience placement in the past six years. “I once applied for a professional work placement, but the person in charge of recruitment asked for sexual favours. I refused and I did not get the placement,” she explains. In the private sector, jobs can be precarious and badly paid. Few employees receive social security benefits. Idrissou Dang, 39, is covered by the Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale through his job with an international private security company, but his monthly salary of 50,000 CFA francs Many Cameroonians work is hardly enough to make in the informal sector, unable ends meet. His second job to use their education as a gardener allows him to make an additional 35,000 duce the voting age from 20 to 18. EcoCFA. “I have five kids, with two of them nomics graduate Annick says what the in secondary school, and my wife and country needs is a total reorganisation sister-in-law to care for. I cannot see how I can save in order to buy some of societal values and practices. Security guard Dang calls for the government land one day.” to control prices on basic foodstuffs. So With a lack of jobs, many Cameroonmuch is riding on the time when a new ians – with or without diplomas – work generation of Cameroonians are finally in the informal sector. In most cases, they do not use the skills they gained in given the opportunity to tackle basic university and only manage to scrape problems like the scarcity of electricity and ensure that those who follow will do a living. Other young people have just better than those who came before. ● one dream in mind: making a go of it

ADVERTORIAL

High-quality products and an efficient distribution network dedicated to serving consumers.

ince 1984, Nana Bouba Group has developed its business in line with three core values: quality, availability and proximity. These values serve both its customers and the environment. The company’s deployment and integration strategy is designed to respond to the challenges of the 21st century and the global economy. • DEPLOYMENT in several sectors and in various product lines to maximize value creation and mitigate risks. • INTEGRATION and complimentarily to optimize supply chains, production and distribution channels. • Partnerships and alliances with major worldrenowned industrial groups will enable the Group to pursue its development whilst enriching its technical and managerial skills in order to to face the challenges of globalization. OPERATING COMPANIES

Agro-pastoral - CAMBEEF - GREENFIL SA Distribution - SOACAM SA

Industry - AZUR SA - NABCO SA - SAGRI SA - IBI SA

THE INDUSTRIAL DIVISION

Real Estate and Construction - SCI KRINA - BERNI SA

2004: set-up of the glycerol-water treatment plant with capacity of 1,200 tons, both to respond to environmental issues and to provide “made in Cameroon” glycerine to the domestic market. 2006 revenue: $ 12 million. 2007: set-up of a 100-ton-per-day capacity oil mill, operational in August 2008. Revenue doubles. 2009: production capacity rises to 60,000 tons per year thanks to a second soap factory. Support from the SOACAM network and the development of exports (which today represent 30% of business) have earned AZUR SA recognition as the laundry soap leader in Cameroon and Chad, and a prominent player in Congo and Gabon. Challenges for 2015: secure supplies of palm oil to ensure activity in compliance with international environmental standards. AZUR SA in brief: 2013 revenue: $100 million Headcount: more than 560 employees Activity: 80,000 tonnes of processed fats

IBI SA 2014: exclusively dedicated to export, IBI SA soap manufacturing unit has been founded to respond to growth in demand and changing consumption habits. Objectives:

AZUR SA

2015: Construction of the plant, creation of the palm grove

2001: start-up of the manufacture of laundry soap (AZUR), refined palm oil (oil Azur Gold) and glycerine.

2016: production capacity of 80,000 tons/year, destined for CEMAC and other countries.

GREENFIL SA

Founded in 1984, SOACAM SA is the historic flagship of the Group and is specialized in the distribution of consumer products such as rice, soap, refined oil, sugar, flour, tomato, pasta, etc. Leader in Cameroon thanks to its network of retail outlets and warehouses across national territory, SOACAM SA also supplies neighboring countries from its sites in border cities.

SOACAM SOACAM distributes products manufactured by the NBG Group, but also other products. The reach of its network combined with its logistical efficiency gives SOACAM SA a strategic position within the mass distribution circuit in Cameroon.This position has led several Cameroonian and international manufacturers to establish exclusive distribution partnerships with SOACAM. SOACAM in brief: 2013 revenue: $150 million (wholesale and retail) • N°1 rice importer in Cameroon with more than 200,000 tons

AGRICULTURE

SAGRI SA Established in 2011 with a high-tech plant based in Bonaberi, SAGRI SA produces doubleconcentrate tomato paste known in Cameroon under the brand Neima. Objectives: produce double-concentrate tomato paste from fresh tomatoes.

NABCO SA In its modern plant located in southwestern Cameroon, NABCO SA launches the production of mineral water and soft drinks in 2011. 2014: entry into the Cameroonian soft drink market (orange, grapefruit, apple, pomegranate, pineapple and fruit cocktail) under the brand Vigo. 2015: other flavours and mineral water. SAGRI and NABCO in brief: Investments of over $12 million Sales target: $21 million

CAMBEEF Located in the heart of the Adamawa region, the ideal location for breeding in Central Africa, the 15,000-head cattle ranch is a cultural success. It also represents a potential source of raw materials for the production of milk and meat to supply the entire sub-region. Objectives: set-up of a dairy plant, a slaughterhouse, a butchery and a tannery.

SOACAM building Marché Congo 3rd floor - PO BOX 3031 - Douala Cameroon

Founded in 2013, the palm grove company is in advanced negotiations for plots in the Ocean (South region) and Nkam (Littoral) regions. The challenge is to secure supplies while ensuring the ecoresponsible provenance of the palm oil (‘planting without uprooting’). Objectives: planting 500 hectares in 2016 and then 1,000 ha/ year until 2030. Investment of over $120 millions with net borrowing of 50%. PROJECTS Since 2009, NBG has cultivated a few hundreds hectares of corn in Wassande (Adamawa) in order to gain experience before launching major projects. SAGRI SA: creation of fresh tomato crops. SUPPORT ACTIVITIES BUILDING AND PUBLIC WORKS •The vision of BERNI SA: become the benchmark builder for property developers in the public and private sectors in the sub-region. • Since 2012, its main purpose has been the development of infrastructure through the construction of buildings, dirt roads and urban roads... • Various civil engineering works, the construction of two plants, classrooms and villas have already positioned BERNI SA as a key player. REAL ESTATE •The real estate company Krina manages the Group’s property assets. • It has over twenty land titles belonging to the Group: bare land and buildings located across the territory of Cameroon. •The real estate portfolio held by SCI Krina is estimated at more than $10 million. •These land titles are free from any commitment and thus constitute genuine financial leverage for the group. NANA BOUBA GROUP : A KEY PLAYER WITH ITS SIGHTS SET ON THE FUTURE • Consolidated revenue: more than $300 million. •Total workforce: about 1,500 employees. • NBG offers its products and services across the entire CEMAC territory. • NBG has developed its vertical integration strategy to ensure sustainability in securing raw materials. • NBG has strengthened existing operational units to respond effectively to market demands (building human resources, increasing production capacity...). • NBG is proud of its performance and employees, but also of its contribution to the improvement of household living conditions by providing access to a diverse range of quality products. • By contributing to food security and enhancement of the territory, NBG’s approach is humanistic and responsible. • NBG is committed to the interests of all stakeholders: consumers, employees, shareholders... • NBG is now focusing on international market players in order to promote the transfer of the skills and knowhow • required for the Group’s optimization and sustainability. ■

Phone Fax: (00237) 233 42 17 16 informations@nanaboubagroup.com www.nanaboubagroup.com

Limited company with Boardof Directors and share capitalof 10 500 000 000 FCFA Trade register number rc/dla/2009/b/1250

DIFCOM/FC - Photos : DR

THE DISTRIBUTION DIVISION

COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

PEOPLE TO WATCH

Hip hop, war and politics While there are few changes in Cameroon’s entrenched power and military structure, rappers are using their fame to highlight the country’s problems

s director of the civil cabinet, Martin Belinga Eboutou (1) is the man to see for anyone wishing to gain access to President Paul Biya. The importance of the 75-year-old diplomat’s role in ensuring that presidential decisions are respected was underlined in February 2014, when he arrived in person at the defence ministry to secure the release of Franco-Cameroonian businessman Michel Thierry Atangana – a financial expert who spent 17 years in solitary confinement on trumped-up charges – who was still being held in prison, despite a decree for his release. Louis-Paul Motazé, secretary general in the office of prime minister Philémon Yang, is a key architect of the government’s economic programmes. Motazé previously served as finance minister and coordinated the crafting of the Cameroun Vision 2035 strategy and the Document de Stratégie pour la Croissance et l’Emploi, which includes plans to create tens of thousands of jobs in the formal sector per year until 2020. Motazé went from the finance ministry to the prime minister’s office in 2011, but he did not see the move as a demotion because he continues to oversee plans for major infrastructure projects.

Mahop. They would ultimately like to ring in generational change in the SDF, but Fru Ndi and his allies continue to use party rules to stifle rivals and avoid talk about the succession. At least in the fields of hip hop and rap a new generation of stars is in the ascendant. Rapper Stanley Enow (3) raised Cameroon’s profile when he won the MTV Africa Music Award for the best newcomer in 2014. The former radio host released a collaboration with Ghanaian star Sarkodie in late 2014 and launched the country’s most expensive music video – for his song King Kong – in April. He plans to complete his new album by the middle of this year.

The Islamist rebels of the Boko Haram militia destabilised wider swathes of West and Central Africa this year after venturingbeyondtheirbaseinnorthernNigeria. Several senior officials are now leading Cameroon’s fightback. Rear Admiral Joseph Fouda (2) is a special adviser to the presidency who handles sensitive issues related to security. The government is also Jovi says the local rap scene relying on the intelligence is moving towards authenticity services for its counterand political engagement terrorism strategy. Léopold Maxime Eko Eko has led the Direction Générale de la Recherche Ndukong Godlove Nfor – aka Jovi – Extérieure since 2010 and is focusing says the local scene is veering away from the bling of global rap towards authenon using drones and other newer surticity and political engagement. “A forveillance tools to deal with internal and eigner can never translate what people external threats to stability. are experiencing here,” he says. “When in DEPUTIES WAIT THEIR TURN a video the water runs brown, everyone While oppositionists decry President understands the message.” Jovi, who reBiya’s refusal to hand over power after 32 leasedhis new album Mboko God in May, years in office, Social Democratic Front regularly collaborates with stars from the (SDF) chairman John Fru Ndi faces the US and Europe and recorded Pitié with same criticism. Fru Ndi, 73, took up the Congolese legend Tabu Ley Rochereau chairmanship of the opposition party in in 2012. He runs his own label, New Bell 1992, and it has recently been performing Music, and raps in English, French, local poorly at the ballot box. He is flanked by languages and slang about everyday life threevice-presidents intheir 40s –Joshua in Cameroon. ● Georges Dougueli and Osih, Grégoire Birwé and Scholastique Mathieu Olivier in Yaoundé

EVAN SCHNEIDER/UN

VICTOR ZEBAZE

WWW.237HIPHOP.COM

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COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

VICTORIA OIL AND GAS

Victoria Oil & Gas completed its pipelines to Bassa and Logbaba power plants in March 2015

to 57m barrels, or about 150,000 per day, by next year. Cameroon’s gas production is steadily growing from a low base, led by Victoria Oil & Gas, which is supplying gas for electricity to companies in Douala, Cameroon’s economic hub. In June, the company said that it is likely to exceed its 2015 production target of 10.4m cubic feet per day thanks to new industrial clients and its supply agreements to the Logbaba and Bassa power plants. KRIBI PORT CRITICAL

The 216MW Kribi power plant, which was commissioned in 2013, is waiting on new gas supplies to reach an expanOIL AND GAS ded capacity of 330MW. Earlier this year, the SNH and French company Perenco agreed plans to supply gas to the Kribi plant. Perenco also has grander designs for Kribi and received approval in late 2014 to set up a floating liquefied natural gas plant in partnership with GDF-Suez. Plans are afoot for a new oil refinery and a floating The project is due for completion in 2017 and will have the capacity to pronatural gas plant, but operators still worry about low duce 1.2m tonnes per year. SNH director oil prices and conflict in Cameroon’s northern regions general Aldophe Moudiki told reporters in June: “The resources are higher than the needs identified for all of the ongoespite the downturn in oil prices Logone-Birni basins. Since February, the ing gas projects. In fact, the envisaged that began late last year, a numSNH has been promoting six exploration floating unit can be put in place without ber of oil and gas projects are blocs in the Rio del Rey, Douala/Kribiany influence on the supply of gas to moving ahead in Cameroon. Oil producCampo and Mamfe basins. the Kribi thermal power station and the tion has slowly marked a turnaround, but Perenco, Bowleven, ExxonMobil Douala-based industries, or on the pronew gas projects hold the most promise and Victoria Oil & Gas are among the duction of chemical fertilisers in Limbe to revitalise the industry. key players in the country’s oil and gas and liquefied natural gas at Mboro.” On 2 June, the Société Nationale des Hyindustry. While weak oil prices have The threat posed by instability in drocarbures (SNH) announced that daily slowed exploration globally, some work oil production had reached 100,000 baris continuing in Cameroon. In June, Nigeria and the Central African Rerels per day (bpd) earlier this year for the Scotland-based public has pu t first time since 2002. On the back of that, minnow Bowleven some oil explorthe government announced that it had began drilling ation ventures on hired Russian firm RusGazEngineering its first explorahold. Ongoing atCameroon’s output to undertake a feasibility study for a new tion well on its (in bpd) in 2014 made tacks in northern Cameroon from the refinery near the port under construction Bomono permit in it the 52nd largest Boko Haram Islamat Kribi (see page 58). The government the onshore area of petroleum producer ist militia have disexpects the oil and gas sector to generate the Douala Basin. in the world couraged exploraabout 45% of the country’s foreign exTo cope with the tion efforts in the Waza National Park, change and 22% of government revenue new oil price environment, Bowleven especially following the abduction of this year, but Cameroon’s resources make sold a stake in its Etinde permit in 10 Chinese road construction workers it a minor producer in Africa. March for $250m. in the area in May 2014. Despite the Cameroonnowhasanestimated200m “Against a challenging market backdeployment of troops to police the barrels of oil reserves. The offshore Rio drop our strengthened balance sheet area, investors including China’s Yan del Rey Basin, located close to the borfollowing the transaction puts us in a der with Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, strong position,” chief executive Kevin Chang are reluctant to resume survey Hart told reporters. The SNH predicts operations at the Zina-Makary block, is home to 89% per cent of the deposits. The remaining 11% is spread across that new fields will bring annual oil where it found oil in 2011. ● Ntaryike Divine Jr in Douala the Douala, Kribi-Campo, Mamfe and production from 27.5m barrels in 2014

New wells, new gas and rising production

81,000

SOURCE: EIA

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ADVERTORIAL

Tradex: a companion for individuals, a partner for industry Tradex, which distributes petroleum products and has become a powerful force in Cameroon, is pursuing its regional development and sector diversication. One of the ambitious company’s medium-term goals is to increase its services to industry and boost its participation in major infrastructure projects. radex, which was founded in 1999 with the Société nationale des hydrocarbures (SNH) as its majority shareholder, is pursuing its development to become a major player in the key links of Africa’s oil industry. The company focused on sales before starting to diversify and branch out into supply and bunkering operations (maritime and aviation) in 2002. It entered the distribution market in 2006. Tradex has gone beyond Cameroon’s borders, becoming a key player in the sale of petroleum products in the ECOWAS zone.

any investment in Africa, especially in the ECOWAS sub-region and the WAEMU zone.

A key partner for infrastructure projects

In April 2012, Tradex became the fuel supplier for Camair Co, Cameroon’s national airline, joining the small circle of companies approved for aviation. A month earlier, it won a contract to supply fuel products and lubricants to CWE, a Chinese company building the Lom-Pangar hydroelectric dam. Since then, Tradex has continued An increasingly dense to increase its presence with distribution network companies and on strategic building sites. Since 2014, it Pursuing its expansion policy has supplied petroleum prodin the past two years, Tradex TRADEX BASTOS IN YAOUNDÉ. ucts and lubricants to the China now has 54 service stations Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) in Cameroon, up from 32 in December 2011. Six new for its building projects: the Kumba/Mamfe road and ones were built in 2014, allowing the company to a stretch of the Yaoundé-Nsimalen urban motorway. boost its market share to approximately 22% compared to 14% two years earlier. This makes Tradex An ally of manufacturers service stations more successful than their competitors, including those of multinational oil companies. Tradex is the exclusive supplier for many other strategic building sites, including the Kribi deepwater A higher prole in Africa port, the Memve’ele and Mekin dams, numerous road In 2014, Tradex launched its distribution network in projects, the Mobilong diamond mine project and Chad, where it has been active through a local subthe second bridge over the River Wouri. It is also a sidiary since 2004, with two service stations. Since trusted partner for the biggest companies operating 2006, the company has also had approximately 20 in Cameroon, active in such strategic areas as power service stations in the Central African Republic, to generation, hydrocarbon exploration and production, which it exports petroleum products. Always on the merchant marine, construction, public works, mining lookout for new opportunities, Tradex is open to and agro-industry.

Tradex BP 1468- Douala, Cameroun Tel.: (237) 233 43 63 75 / 233 43 63 76 Fax: (237) 233 43 63 80 E-mail: tradex@tradexsa.com

www.tradexsa.com

DIFCOM/DF - PHOTO : DR.

COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

AGRICULTURE

Waiting on the green revolution In two decades Cameroon has gone from being largely self-sufficient to a large-scale importer of basic foodstuffs. A new initiative aims to change that

n January, the government launched of 125km of rural roads. The government one of its most ambitious projects to targets300cooperativesandanestimated support small-scale farmers. Backed 120,000 people with the programme. by the World Bank, the Projet d’InvestisseIt is difficult to measure the impact of ment et de Développement des Marchés the government’s previous initiatives beAgricoles (PIDMA) includes 50bn CFA cause it has not undertaken any studies. francs ($85.9m) to help cooperatives. However, in Cameroon’s 10 regions many farmers express disappointSmallholder farmers, the ment with the pace of imbackbone of the industry, provements. Simon Fandio, say that other programmes are not reaching their intena farmer and president of ded targets. the board of a cooperative The government considers in the West Region, says: “I it essential to produce a farmdo not feel the impact of this ing revolution. According to so-called second-generation Fruit and vegetable estimates by the Association agricultural policy. It exists exports totalled Citoyenne de Défense des more in the media than it 9% of Cameroon’s Intérêts Collectifs (ACDIC), does on the ground.” He export revenues Cameroon’s largest farming adds: “No smallholders bein 2013 organisation, 67% of the popnefit from that project.” SOURCE: HARVARD UNIVERSITY ulation is employed in agriAnother producer in the culture and 97% per cent of active farms West Region, David Kamdjeu, explains: are 1ha or smaller. Agriculture accounts “Getting access to subsidies is not easy. for about 35% of gross domestic product, We apply to get finance, but when all and only one third of arable land is under is done, the money does not come.” cultivation. Progress in boosting output is He argues that the government needs slow, and the tools that most farmers use to refocus its priorities. “Isn’t it more – hoes and machetes – are rudimentary. important to review the system of agTo kickstart the change, President Paul Bananas are the fifth-largest Biya announced a new drive dubbed export earner in Cameroon, but “second-generation agriculture” in 2011. many of its workers go hungry The main tenets of the programme are training farmers, improving seed stocks, increasing mechanisation and strengthening finance and access to markets. The agricultureministryhassetupequipment clusters – administrative units that manage machines that farmers can hire to improve their performance. The ministry is working on some 40 other projects.

$403m

ricultural finance? For me, it is more pertinent than giving seeds.” Former ACDIC president Bernard Njonga argues that “all officials are fighting to manage projects” so that they can make money. In February, the authorities arrested Paul Sikapin, a former director of a maize subsidy project, and others for fraud. The ACDIC provoked a major scandal in 2008 when it revealed that officials were stealing money from that subsidy scheme. “We estimate that the ministry manages an average of 220bn CFA francs for extra-budgetary projects each year. It is a real catastrophe because the impact [of the money] is insignificant,” Njonga commented. Cameroon was once largely selfsufficient in food production but now importslargeamountsofbasicfoodstuffs. In 2011, President Biya complained: “We spent 500bn CFA francs importing flour, rice and fish in 2009. That is seven times more than in 1994. We must absolutely free ourselves from that dependency.” Little has changed since then, and the country imported 809,000tn of rice in 2013. Projects like PIDMA could be important steps forward if they improve finance and bring smallholders into the agribusiness chain. ● Reinnier Kazé in Yaoundé

FARMERS’ LOANS

To develop PIDMA, it has signed agreements with agricultural cooperatives, a bank, two brewing companies and a dairy operation. The ministry is acting as an intermediary, and thanks to these agreements the bank will extend loans to farmers’ groups that produce maize, cassava and sorghum. The producers will then sell their goods to the contracting buyers and part of the proceeds will go to the reimbursement of the loans. PIDMA also includes plans for the rehabilitation

JEAN-PIERRE KEPSEU

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ADVERTORIAL

SOGETRA

Infrastructure builder in Cameroon Telecommunications

Renewable energy

Civil engineering works

• Turnkey construction of relays • Soil studies • Earth-moving and road-building work • Civil engineering work • Pylon installation • Installation of BTS • Installation of energy equipment

• System dimensioning • Feasibility and environmental studies • Shade and orientation analysis • Autonomous systems (residential & commercial) • Mixed systems (solar, thermal, batteries, etc.)

• Construction of service stations • Buildings and public works • Assembly of metal structures

Site audits • Pylons • Civil engineering works • BTS and energy SITE MAINTENANCE • Pylons • Civil engineering works • BTS and energy

Installation • Solar panels • Power inverters • Charging/discharging controllers • Batteries • Panel supports and accessories • Maintenance control boxes • Inverters and controllers • Safety features

Design • Feasibility studies • Structural calculation • Geotechnical tests

Construction • Frames and foundations • Buildings • Lubrication bays • Fuel tanks in BA

Management and control systems • Installation of automation systems • Electrical engineering

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DIFCOM/DF - PHOTOS : DR

Our accumulated experience of over 50 years and our holistic approach to the market allow us to follow your projects from start to finish, from the preliminary study to the turnkey completion of your infrastructure. Our goal is to offer flawless ser vice within agreed-upon deadlines and budgets thanks to advanced training of our staff and the constantly calling into question of our skills and knowledge. Our clients are our priority and our reason for being. Our basic values and passion for work well done make SOGETRA an indispensable partner for telecom, renewable energy and civil engineering infrastructure projects.

COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

Kribi’s future port could create 10,000 jobs

ABEL AIMÉ MENOBA FOR JA

PORTS

Counting on Kribi A new port in southern Cameroon is set to alleviate the chronic congestion and delays at the country’s main port and to pave the way for new industrial projects

elays in imports and exports caused by inefficiencies at Cameroon’s Douala port have hurt the economy, but the new port under construction at Kribi could quicken the pace of trade and boost the country’s performance. Government planners want Kribi to become a hub for imports into the Gulf of Guinea. “According to our projections, the country will benefit from an additional 1.5% in economic growth each year once the complex is totally operational,” explains a source working on the project who requested anonymity. Kribi, a small seaside town in the south, is home to one of Central Africa’s largest construction projects. The Kribi port includes several associated projects, including an industrial zone and minerals-processing area. China Harbour Engineering Company began the first phase of construction in 2011, and the first containers arrived at the port in 2014. Other projects will use Kribi port’s infrastructure. The Société Camerounaise des Dépôts Pétroliers and Canadian firm Blaze Energy plan to build an oil storage station. Meanwhile, French company GDF-Suez and Cameroon’s Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures are working on plans for a liquefied natural gas plant. Australia’s Sundance Resources is in talks to build an iron-processing plant for the ore it will mine at the de-

posits at Mbalam and Nabeba, which are located near the border between Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Since 2009 Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto has planned to build an alumina refinery at Kribi with a capacity to produce 1.2m tonnes per year at an estimated cost of $9bn. But that may not happen, as the company announced its plans to withdraw from its other aluminium project in Cameroon last year.

Douala and contribute to its growth,” says an official on the committee overseeing the construction of Kribi port. The official says that Kribi’s competitiveness will be based on its prices: “We will impose lower charges for the future terminal operators, which will certainly have repercussions on prices at Douala.” Studies show that a 10% reduction in prices at Kribi will lead to a 7% drop in costs at Douala. In late April, media reports said that government officials COMPANIES MOVE IN had shortlisted companies ICTSI and More than 30 companies in the metals, APM Terminals to manage Kribi’s conpetrochemicals, cement, agro-industrial tainer terminal, and a final decision and logistics sectors have already reshould be announced soon. quested land for projects in Kribi. An estimated 95% of Cameroon’s Those projects will need electricity. exports transit through Douala – “one Globeleq, which had the backing of the of the most disastrous port sites in the World Bank, inaugurated world,” in the words of a a 216MW gas-fired power shipping company emplant near Kribi in 2013. ployee. The port’s probThe government is worklems include chronic coning on the creation of a gestion, the choking of special economic zone, Power plant opened the access channels with which is already attract- in Kribi in 2013 sand and the lack of moding interest from Chinese SOURCE: WORLD BANK ern equipment capable of operators. Promoters says dealing with the high level that all of the projects combined could of traffic. Goods spend an average of 22 create 10,000 jobs. Currently, the popdays at the port facilities, which World ulation of Kribi is estimated at upwards Bank reports say is five times longer than of 50,000 people. at South Africa’s port of Durban. For The government says the additional Cameroon’s importers and exporters, port is needed because of the poor perfull-scale operations at Kribi’s container formance of Douala port. “Kribi is going terminal cannot start soon enough. ● to fix all of the congestion problems at Omer Mbadi in Douala

216 mw

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COUNTRY FOCUS | CAMEROON

OPINION

Jean-Pierre Bekolo Filmmaker

Culture of indifference

ftertheinterminablerowsandfightingin Cameroonian football, people are now tearing each other apart over culture. President Paul Biya has given each of these two sectors a particular role, a role used since the colonial period. Football is a tool of alienation, so it must be promoted. Culture is a tool of emancipation, so it must be controlled. But if these two fields are in turmoil, could it be that Biya’s 33-year-old reign is dragging on South Africa’s and the country is developing a case of MTN and what philosopher Bernard Stiegler calls ‘generalised incapacity’? France’s Stiegler argues that ultra-liberalised Orange have economies lead to the discrediting of become the politics, the weakening of the state and the loss of people’s ability to think real investors and act. We all experience this lack of in culture ability to improve our situation – like when a Nigerian professor asked me why Cameroonian intellectuals are unable to get rid of Biya or when the German president asked us why things are not working in Africa. Many people, especially young ones, function without reference to the state. But what are their chances of success on their own? How are people like young artists getting by in a city like Yaoundé, where the mayor is more interested in creating boutiques than cultural institutions? How can you be an artist who is not just struggling to get by? These artists all know that the culture minister is a position reserved for members of former national assembly president Salomon Tandeng Muna’s family. Ama Tutu Muna is not there for them. She tells anyone that will listen that she played on the lap of the Queen of England and calls the president of the republic ‘Daddy’. What these uncared-for young artists in Yaoundé and Douala think does not bother anyone. Cameroon can have its cultural celebrations without its artists. The culture minister succeeded in reopening a national museum in January with photos and objects from the presidential family, leaving our traditional dancers outside at the entrance to welcome the guests who were going to attend a ballet performance and listen to an American singer! What

explainstheabsenceofbrilliantCamerooniancurators like Simon Njami, Koyo Kouoh and Christine Eyene? Today, all of these young people who sing, dance, play and create have accepted the sad idea that they have to make it without the government, which remains as inscrutable as ever. For example, in May prime minister Philémon Yang annulled culture minister Muna’s creation of her own company to protect artists’ copyright, gather royalties and do business with mobile telephone companies. The infighting in government shows that there is money to be made in spite of the government’s much-hyped Opération Epervier anti-corruption campaign, which has put several former ministers in prison. South African telecom MTN and France’s Orange have become the real investors in culture – despite the banners at every public event that announce that it was organised under the ‘distinguished patronage’ of the culture minister or the president of the republic, without whom nothing is possible. There are astonishing talents in this generation, like the young rapper Jovi, who is working hard to set up his own networks. His hits Mets l’Argent à Terre (Put the Money on the Ground) and Et P8 Koi (And Then What) now play on a loop in everyone’s heads. Jovi is one of the generation who ignore Biya’s power elite and create their own ‘alternative’ Cameroon. Nonetheless, in Yaoundé there are dozens of clubs where you can see young people demonstrate their talent. Senegalese star Youssou N’Dour even went there to recruit two people who are now on a world tour with the star. As the government does not have a cultural policy and there is no professional status for artists, the hat or basket on the ground in front of each band is a reminder that musicians remain poor and dependent on donations from the country’s petty bureaucrats in the audience. Young people have to depend on their ingenuity as the old artists have dug in for an endless fight over royalties. Even the rapidly multiplying TV stations ignore young artists. Most channels are filled with debates where people talk day and night, as it helps them to get a bit of money from the country’s politicians. Musicians have to pay to get on TV, and often it is not the best ones who are seen. And school bands, which THE AFRICA REPORT

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werethetraininggroundsformanyoftheCameroonian artistswhogainedaglobalfollowing,havedisappeared. Nightclubs that sell beer for 700 CFA francs have become the employers of some of these young talents. Such is the case of Maison Mère in the neighbourhood of Mini-Ferme. This area – where the rapper Valsero of Lettre au Président fame grew up – has a bad reputation as a home to prostitution. But something phenomenal is happening here in Yaoundé. Some 20 young male and female dancers aged between 19 and 25 launch their careers as professionals. They strut on the stage lip-synching, with the sole goal of putting on a dance performance for those in the audience – usually traders and taxi drivers – who want to relax after a long day. Up there, the dancers move to the rhythms of the latest Coupé Décalé, Nigerian tunes and, of course, local Bikutsi sounds. Their organisation, costumes and choreography are admirable. How much are they paid? Between 25,000 and 50,000 CFA francs ($43-$86) per month for working from 8pm to 4 or 6am six days per week. One of them said to me: “I have already found a good job here, what am I going to look for somewhere else?” With a system that cannot be called democratic heading to elections in three years and with a likely THE AFRICA REPORT

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candidate who will be 85 years old, these artists continue to suffer. They have brought so much joy to generations and find themselves in a miserable situation. Meanwhile footballers – most of them living abroad – fail to help the national team qualify for tournaments but are still pampered. It is necessary to ask how this ‘generalised incapacity’, which leaves Cameroonians passive, will affect artists. Will they die? Will they go abroad? If we keep along this path, Musicians Cameroonian culture is condemned have to pay to death, like football, which only lives through tournaments like the European to get on TV, Champions League. and often Why should liberal economies desit’s not the troy their cultural strengths? Bernard Stiegler would say that this common best ones ‘I-don’t-care’ attitude comes from buywho are seen ing too many foreign commodities. That makes us consumers instead of producers. There could be more producers if people refused to watch Beyoncé or Shakira thrust their pelvises, making money off African dance styles à l’américaine. If the destruction of cultural ability is a phenomenon of globalisation, then Biya and Cameroon are ahead of the curve. ●

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TENDER NOTICE OPEN INTERNATIONAL INVITATION TO TENDER No. OO9/CDC/GBM/T.B/15 FOR MANUAL EXCAVATION IN THE CDC GROUP BANANA DEPARTMENT OF 27/5/15 Tel.: 233332251, Fax: 23333 26 80 FINANCED BY THE CDC 2015 BUDGET AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AS PER BAM 2016 PROGRAMME 1. SUBJECT OF THE INVITATION TO TENDER: The General Manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation launches an Open International Invitation to Tender No. 009/CDC/GBM/T.B/15 of 27/5/15 for Manual Excavation in the CDC Group Banana Department. 2. NATURE OF WORKS: The works comprise the following Lots: Lot One: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 1 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Two: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 1 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Three: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 1 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Four: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 2 Farm, CDC Tiko

5. PARTICIPATION: This International Invitation to Tender is open to Enterprises that have proven experience and ability in the execution of such works. 6. FINANCING: The works which form the subject of this invitation to tender shall be Financed by the CDC 2015 Budget and the European Union as per BAM 2016 Programme 7. CONSULTATION OF TENDER FILE: Interested Bidders can consult the tender documents on the CDC website at www.cdc-cameroon.com, or at the General Manager's Office (Room 208), CDC Head Office during working hours (7.30 a.m to 4 p.m) Mondays to Fridays as from 27/5/15 8. ACQUISITION OF TENDER FILE:

Lot Five: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 2 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Six: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 2 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Seven: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Mafanja 2 Farm, CDC Tiko Lot Eight: Manual Excavation of Tertiary drains in Esuke Farm, CDC Tiko 3. DURATION OF EXECUTION: The maximum period provided for the execution of the works is fixed at eight (8) weeks for lots one (1) to eight (8). 4. ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR THE WORKS:

Bidders can collect complete tender documents from the General Manager's office (Room 208) during working hours (7.30 am to 4pm) Mondays to Fridays as from 27/0/5/15 upon the payment of a nonrefundable sum of 83,847 Euros (55,000 FCFA) for the Tender to ARMP Special Account No 335 98800001-89 with BICEC Cameroon. 9. PLACE, DATE AND TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF OFFERST Complete offers written in either English or French and in Seven (7) copies (One Original and Six Copies) sealed in an envelope shall be deposited at the General Manager's Office on or before the 31/7/15 at 11.00 a.m local time. The sealed envelope should carry the inscription: OPEN INTERNATIONAL INVITATION TO TENDER NO. 009/CDC/GBM/T.B/15 FOR MANUAL EXCAVATION WORKS IN THE CDC GROUP BANANA DEPARTMENT OF 27/5/15 “To be opened only during the bid-opening session”

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10. ADMISSIBILITY OF OFFERS: Bidders shall provide Bid Bonds a follows:-

13. MAIN QUALIFICATION CRITERIAI The criteria relating to the qualification of a bidder are as follows:

issued by a Financial Institution authorised to issue Bid Bonds for Public Contracts as per the list in Doc. 11. The Bid Bonds shall have a validity period of 120 days from the date the bids are opened. Bidders who fail to provide bid bonds shall result to the elimination of the offers. 11. PLACE, DATE AND TIME FOR OPENING OF BIDS: The Bid Opening session shall take place at the CDC Staff Club BotaLimbe, Cameroon on the 31/7/15 at 12.00 noon local time in the presence of the Bidders or their duly mandated representatives. Only one representative per bidder shall be allowed to attend the bid opening session. 12. MAIN ELIMINATION CRITERIA: Bids shall be rejected when; - They lack proper Administrative documents. - They do not have complete Technical / Financial offers. - They do not conform with the Technical specifications - They have falsified documents

since 2001

NOTA BENE - The non-respect of at least 6 out of 7 of the above criteria shall result to the elimination of the offer. 14. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF LOTS WHICH A BIDDER CAN WIN: Bidders are allowed to Tender for more than one lot but can win only one lot. 15. CONFLICTS OF LAWS: In case of conflicts between the EU rules and local legislation, the EU rules shall take precedence over the local legislation. 16. VALIDITY OF OFFERS: Bidders shall remain committed to their offers for a period of NINETY (90) Days from the date of bid opening. 17. COMPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For further complementary information, Bidders should contact the Engineering Service Manager, Group Banana in writing, CDC Tiko, P.O BOX.282 Tiko, Telephone No: 233 35 11 06, 233 35 11 78, Fax: 233 35 11 64; Mobile: 699 68 16 97; E-mail:jacobmbondey@yahoo.com.

ProJustice USAID Partner

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Development of Case Management Information System for the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, and Civil Liberties of Côte d’Ivoire

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The Justice Sector Support Program, also known as ProJustice, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Tetra Tech DPK (Tt DPK), solicits proposals to develop a Case Management Information System (CMIS) for the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, and Civil Liberties (MOJHR). The CMIS will track and manage criminal and civil cases for the courts, prosecutors’ offices, and the MOJHR. ProJustice Description: ProJustice, is a five year USAID-funded project designed to strengthen judicial administration, increase accountability, and improve access to justice for the people of Côte d’Ivoire. ProJustice works with the MOJHR, the National Judicial Training Institute, target courts, prosecutors’ offices, and civil society organizations. As part of the project, ProJustice has helped develop an information technology (IT) master plan that defines the MOJHR’s long-term vision for modernizing the justice sector’s IT infrastructure. The plan aims to (1) upgrade the IT hardware and (2) develop a CMIS. The CMIS, supported by the IT hardware upgrades, will be a case management system for the courts, prosecutors’ offices, and the MOJHR. The CMIS will allow the MOJHR to create, track, and manage criminal and civil cases; to generate administrative documents such as summons, warrants, birth certificates, and death certificates; and to improve the reporting capacity of the courts, prosecutors’ offices, and the MOJHR. With this tender, ProJustice intends to procure services consisting of development of a prototype automated CMIS and implementation of a pilot program to test and validate the CMIS at two courts and at the MOJHR. Requests for Proposals (RFP) Documents: Any organizations interested in submitting a proposal for the CMIS may request in person the RFP documents at the ProJustice office at II Plateaux Vallon, 06 BP 1301 Abidjan 06, Côte d’Ivoire or by emailing Procurement@projustice-ci.com Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for selection, a proposal must be: • Timely received from the offeror • Properly signed by the offeror • Complete with all required sections including corporate credentials, management proposal, technical proposal, and financial/cost proposal. Timetable and Deadline: Two copies of the completed proposals shall be delivered to: PROJUSTICE, Attn: Procurement, II Plateaux Vallon, 06 BP 1301 Abidjan 06, Côte d’Ivoire. Proposals shall include all required documentation in order to be considered and shall be submitted by hand delivery or courier before 16:00 local time on August 17, 2015.

DAY IN THE LIFE EXTRAORDINARY STORIES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE

ANTOINE TEMPÉ FOR TAR

The umpire's stake A traditional wrestling referee in Palmarin, Senegal, Sidi Diokh lost two friends in an illegal crossing to Spain, but he still dreams of finding a way to a better life

efore I became a traditional wrestling referee, in 2012, I was a wrestler myself. I started when I was eight years old, on the beach. I used to dream about being the next big wrestler, the king of the arena. I did it professionally until I was 26 but didn’t win many fights. If you go one year without winning your family doesn’t eat, so I decided to give it up. I love the music and atmosphere of the wrestling competitions, but sometimes we do have problems with the wrestlers, who can be undisciplined. If they fall and you give the other the victory they can hit you. But I love it when the wrestlers dance and when they fight well and don’t cause trouble. Wrestling is our culture here in Palmarin. All the children you see here in the street wrestle, that is our sport. My family are not happy that I am a referee. There are a lot of people who say that referees are bad people [and] talk about me behind my back. But I say that it’s what I do to earn money for my family and I have to keep doing it. I would have loved to have had an education. I’ve been trying to earn money for such a long time, and there are kids in the village who have had an

education and now, five years after leaving school, they have managed to build a house. In 2010, I had saved 300,000 CFA francs ($511) and I decided to go illegally to the Canary Islands in a fishing boat. I told my mother I was leaving and she said I had to wait, that it is God who decides and if He says I can go, then I can go. I said OK, and stayed. After I decided not to go in the boat, two of my friends left and after 15 days we heard they had died at sea. It broke my heart. They went without having had children, without a wife, and now they have left nothing behind. Before they went, I told them that they should not go, that it wouldn’t work. They said, “Oh it’s nothing, we can go.”

A dream deferred I have three friends illegally working in Spain and Germany now. They say it’s very good there, and they have sent money to their mothers and built houses in the village too. But there are also people who say that life is too hard in Spain. At night sometimes I dream I am walking on the beach and I find monkfish washed up and sell them for a lot of money. Before my friends died going to Spain, I used to dream about that too, but once I dreamed that the police caught us and beat us really hard. I am happy I didn’t go to Spain, that I stayed here to work. I would never do it now, it’s not safe. The money I saved has all gone now. But if I had gone to Spain, I would not have my family, and [they] make me very happy. I want to stay here until God gives me a little something so that I can get my papers together, go to the airport, and go over there to work. ● Interview by Rose Skelton THE AFRICA REPORT

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