As part of the Power 237 initiative, led by Dr. Guy Gweth, Cameroon is positioning itself as an emerging leader in Africa between 2025 and 2050. A cornerstone of this ambition lies in the involvement of high-potential individuals from various sectors who will contribute to the achievement of this strategic objective. Among these personalities, Lionel Bassega, GFTrade Specialist at Global Financial Integrity (GFI), represents a major asset in the field of combating illicit financial flows and promoting economic transparency.
Lionel Bassega’s impressive career
Lionel Bassega has built his expertise in financial integrity and trade risk management within Global Financial Integrity, a renowned international think tank based in Washington, DC. Since 2020, he has advised governments, financial institutions, and customs services on best practices to combat trade misinvoicing, a major issue in developing economies. As the person responsible for implementing GFI’s exclusive GFTrade tool, he works to improve transparency and reduce risks related to trade fraud in customs services worldwide.
Before joining GFI, Mr. Bassega accumulated valuable experience in the public sector and the oil and gas industry in Cameroon, notably as a risk analyst and product owner for Alpha Oil between 2010 and 2015. This journey led him to hold leading positions in financial risk management, economic regulation, and governance strategies, key skills in the context of Power 237.
Lionel Bassega is also a respected academic, having taught at North Carolina State University. He holds several advanced degrees: a master’s in international affairs from North Carolina State University (2019), a master’s in business administration (MBA) in oil and gas management from the University of Coventry (2016), an MBA in business management from Kadir Has University in Istanbul (2016), and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Siantou University in Yaoundé (2013). These qualifications strengthen his expertise in financial management and economic governance, crucial skills to support the vision of Power 237.
His potential role in Power 237 and supporting Dr. Guy Gweth
Lionel Bassega’s role in the Power 237 initiative could be fundamental. As an expert in financial transparency and the fight against trade fraud, he could guide Cameroon in optimizing its tax policies, trade exchanges, and the management of transnational financial flows. His expertise in risk analysis and the implementation of trade misinvoicing monitoring tools would enable the country to strengthen its financial institutions and ensure better market regulation.
Dr. Guy Gweth, president of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI), has identified the need for an integrated approach combining hard power, soft power, and smart power to position Cameroon as a key player on the continent. In this context, Mr. Bassega, with his technical know-how and practical experience, could represent a strategic resource for the implementation of the smart power aspects of the Power 237 initiative. His contribution would help strengthen the country’s economic resilience, improve the transparency of its financial system, and position Cameroon as a model in terms of economic management and the fight against harmful financial practices.
With profiles like Lionel Bassega, Power 237 would undoubtedly be on the path to success in its quest to make Cameroon a reference power in Africa.
The editorial team
