RISK AND RESILIENCE: CAMEROON’S PERSPECTIVE

The Roundtable on London Financial Centres, hosted by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) at Guildhall on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, brought together financial experts, business leaders and senior government officials to examine how Commonwealth countries can strengthen resilience amid growing geopolitical, economic, environmental and technological risks.

Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of CWEIC, highlighted the challenging global environment, while stressing that it also presents opportunities for greater Commonwealth cooperation, investment and economic ties.

The Lady Mayor of London, Alderman Dame Susan Langley DBE, emphasised the importance of countries working together, highlighting finance as a driver of opportunity and calling for greater collaboration and the sharing of expertise.

The discussions underscored that resilience requires strong institutions, diversified economies and supply chains, food and energy security, climate finance, common standards and effective partnerships.

For Cameroon, the Director General of the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) underlined the importance of climate finance for sustainable infrastructure and local development. The Minister to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Mr. Paul Tasong, highlighted the country’s experience managing the effects of COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war and internal security challenges. He stressed the the government’s focus on import substitution, domestic production and food security, while emphasising peace and stability as foundations for development.

H.E. Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, highlighted the value of Commonwealth partnerships in opening markets, attracting investment and building business relationships. He also stressed the importance of international standards, citing FEICOM’s ISO certification as an example of institutional credibility.

Overall, Cameroon’s message was clear: build domestic resilience while leveraging Commonwealth partnerships, finance, standards and investment to create sustainable growth and withstand future.