This article is part of a series examining the influence of Power 237, a book published in January 2025, on the policy platforms of the twelve candidates who ran in the 12 October 2025 presidential election. Drawing on the analytical framework developed by the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI) — the hard, soft and smart power triptych — this impartial analysis explores the extent to which the national power strategy outlined by Dr Guy Gweth for the 2025–2050 horizon has shaped each candidate’s agenda. In alphabetical order, this instalment focuses on Hiram Samuel Iyodi, candidate of the Front des Démocrates Camerounais (FDC), and his programme structured around fifteen strategic pillars.
Strategic Alignment: Renewal and Citizen Governance
Hiram Samuel Iyodi’s programme places strong emphasis on national renewal, social justice, and institutional transparency. He proposes simplified and transparent governance, reducing the number of ministries to twenty and creating an independent anti-corruption authority. These measures resonate with Chapter XIII of Power 237, which stresses that the consolidation of the rule of law and effective institutions is a key driver of national power. His approach explicitly combines the three dimensions of strategic power: hard power (institutional reform, anti-corruption), soft power (social cohesion, historical reconciliation), and smart power (digitalisation, citizen platforms, and technology hubs).
Convergence of Economic Pillars
Hiram Samuel Iyodi’s economic ambition is rooted in sovereignty and the valorisation of local resources. His programme bans the export of raw materials, promotes SME-led industrialisation, and supports family and cooperative farming through mechanisation, irrigation, and access to improved seeds. These proposals align with the key pillars identified in Power 237: mobilisation of internal resources, stimulation of technological innovation, and promotion of sustainable economic growth. The protection of local industries and the creation of strategic food reserves reflect a vision of integrated economic security and national resilience.
Human Capital and National Cohesion
On the social and human front, Hiram Samuel Iyodi focuses on reducing inequalities, ensuring social justice, and achieving territorial equity. His measures include universal birth grants, special status for teachers and doctors, and the demilitarisation of the Anglophone regions. Power 237 underlines that human capital and citizen mobilisation are essential levers for strengthening national power. The focus on historical reconciliation, inclusive dialogue, and civic participation corresponds to the principles of social cohesion and moral capital developed in the book.
Innovation and Digital Transformation
The programme places digital technology at the heart of national transformation, with plans to create technology hubs in university towns, establish a citizen platform to monitor public projects, and reform national connectivity. This orientation reflects the integration of smart power concepts, where technology and citizen participation become instruments of national strength and accountability.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis shows that Hiram Samuel Iyodi’s programme presents a strong convergence with the ideas advanced in Power 237. From institutional renewal to economic sovereignty, through social cohesion and digital innovation, his project embodies a multidimensional strategic vision. The book’s imprint is evident in his definition of a strong, inclusive, and sustainable national power for Cameroon.
The Editorial Team
