The book's seven parts

In 2009, the Cameroonian government set out an ambitious vision for the country's development through to 2035. After a period of sustained growth followed by an economic crisis, the country now seeks to establish itself on a path of sustainable development.

Its main goals are to eradicate poverty, to reach middle-income status and then join the ranks of newly industrialised nations, and ultimately to become an emerging economy. To that end, Yaoundé plans to accelerate economic growth, diversify economic activity, improve living conditions for the population, and strengthen governance.

The vision is built around four pillars: macroeconomics, the productive sector, social development and regional planning. Under the leadership of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, its success will depend on mobilising internal and external resources, implementing structural reforms, and forging a strong partnership between the public sector, the private sector and civil society.

In short, this first part immerses us in the spirit of Power 237, the momentum set in motion by Vision 2035, whose aim then and now is to make Cameroon an emerging economy by 2035. To get there, we will examine in turn the different facets of this Vision: from contextual analysis to implementation strategies, by way of financing challenges and the risks arising from the broader landscape.

The arrival of Power 237 on the scene rests on a deep-seated determination to transform the country and propel it into the ranks of Africa's most influential nations. This first part aims to provide a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that underpin such an aspiration to power.

But what exactly drives this ambition? What fuels such a profound transformation? These are the questions we will attempt to answer in this opening part of our white paper. We will explore the foundations of Vision 2035, retracing step by step the context in which it emerged, the objectives it pursues, the strategies deployed to achieve them, and the challenges and opportunities it faces.

Endowed with natural assets, demographic vitality and a rich cultural heritage, Cameroon can legitimately aspire to become one of Africa's undisputed leaders by 2050. This ambitious project, named Power 237, rests on a clear vision and on precise, unapologetic objectives.

To reach this ideal, the country must build on solid foundations and mobilise every source of national energy.

The question, then, is this: what are the essential pillars on which Cameroon could build its regional power? This second part sets out to explore the foundations of this unprecedented project. We will analyse in turn how collective intelligence, statistics, demography, the economy and the diaspora can help turn Cameroon into a major player on the international stage.

To begin with, we will examine the notion of collective intelligence and its implications for the power of a developing country such as Cameroon. We will then look at the crucial role of statistics in decision-making and in measuring progress. Demography, as a factor of power, will also be central to our analysis, as will the economy, the engine of any development. Finally, we will study the potential of the Cameroonian diaspora to strengthen the country's international reach.

Across these chapters, we will set out as clearly as possible to demonstrate that building a power rests on a multidimensional approach that integrates both internal and external factors. In other words, activating Power 237 will mean mobilising every resource the country has, human, economic and intellectual, and putting them at the service of this unprecedented national project.

Having explored the foundations of Power 237 and the challenges of putting it into practice, we now turn to the drivers that will enable Cameroon to realise its ambitions, should this strategy be adopted. Beyond natural resources, human capital and infrastructure, it is the more intangible, yet equally decisive, factors that will make the difference.

In this third part, we will look at the drivers of Cameroonian power, the elements that, though seemingly less tangible than economic resources or infrastructure, are nonetheless essential to building a strong, prosperous nation with international reach.

We will thus explore how the formalisation of the informal economy, the strengthening of patriotism and national integration, the consolidation of the rule of law and democracy, the sound management of bilingualism, and the role of religious and traditional organisations can each contribute to strengthening Cameroon's power.

In other words, we will focus on the social, cultural and political dynamics that underpin the development of the Cameroonian nation. For beyond economic factors, it is social cohesion, national unity and the ability to mobilise the energies of all citizens that will make the difference.

This third part aims to show that a nation's power cannot be reduced to the sum of its material wealth. It also rests on shared values, on a sense of belonging to a community, and on the ability to mobilise the energies of all citizens.

Having defined the foundations, the engines, the levers and the wings of Cameroonian power, we now come to a crucial stage: activating this exceptional strategy.

This section aims to show that realising the Power 237 vision requires a structured and pragmatic approach. It is not enough to have an ambitious vision; the country must also have the means and the tools to implement it.

For Power 237 is a roadmap, but its realisation demands a highly methodical and rigorous implementation. How do we move from ambitions to concrete actions? How do we mobilise the necessary resources? How do we measure progress and adapt to change? This part answers those questions by examining the tools and methods that will bring this strategy to life and track its evolution over time.

In this final part, we explore the mechanisms that will concretely turn Power 237 into a tangible, measurable reality: financing, a detailed action plan, monitoring and evaluation indicators, prospective scenarios, and an Observatory of Power to ensure permanent strategic watch.