Cameroon’s financial losses linked to corruption rose 54% to CFAF 6.27 billion in 2025, from CFAF 4.06 billion a year earlier, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC). The figures were disclosed in the commission’s 15th annual anti-corruption report, presented in Yaounde on October 8, 2026. The report also recorded CFAF 5.82 billion in assets recovered through efforts to combat corruption.

The losses increased by CFAF 2.21 billion, reaching CFAF 6,271,017,456. The total includes losses established through CONAC investigations and decisions issued by the Budgetary and Financial Disciplinary Board and the Special Criminal Court. Investigations conducted by CONAC alone identified losses estimated at CFAF 1.72 billion.

Separately, asset recovery operations conducted by the Special Criminal Court and the Cameroon Debt Recovery Corporation generated CFAF 5.82 billion during the year. The recovered funds and reported losses do not necessarily relate to the same cases and cannot be directly offset against each other.

Public Contracts and Financial Activities Among Affected Sectors

The report identified public procurement, finance, trade, land administration, public service management, energy and transport among the sectors receiving corruption complaints. Other affected areas included education, public health, forestry, wildlife, water resources, territorial administration and sports.

CONAC investigated suspected irregularities involving public contracts, schools, hospitals and local councils, as well as the sale of kerosene and the management of public investment funds.

Financial fraud accounted for 169 of the 294 cases examined, involving financial flows exceeding CFAF 761 billion. The report also identified links between illicit financial flows, environmental crime, illegal wildlife trade and gold trafficking.

Fewer Complaints, More Public Officials Sanctioned

CONAC received 8,036 corruption complaints in 2025, down from 10,520 in 2024, a decline of 23.61%. Commission Chairman Dieudonné Massi Gams attributed the decrease partly to the introduction of reporting hotlines within public administrations, allowing complaints to be handled directly by the institutions concerned.

The commission conducted 22 rapid intervention operations, two anti-corruption clinics and 11 in-depth investigations during the year.

The rapid interventions covered 44 cases, with suspects in 17 cases referred to judicial authorities. Anti-corruption clinics conducted in the Adamawa and Littoral regions also resulted in 23 people being caught in alleged acts of corruption.

Meanwhile, the number of public officials sanctioned for corruption and breaches of professional ethics increased from 116 in 2024 to 537 in 2025, more than quadrupling in one year. The National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) also received 1,764 suspicious transaction reports in 2025, compared with 1,608 in 2024, an increase of approximately 9.7%.

CONAC Calls for Stronger Anti-Corruption Laws

Speaking at the report’s presentation, Massi Gams identified the legal framework as a major obstacle to combating corruption. He argued that stronger legislation was needed to support the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

“The main problem that we have now to outline is the problem of the law for the fight against corruption. That is the main problem that we are facing. I think that if we reach that target, then the fight against corruption can succeed in our country,” Massi Gams said.

The commission recommended stronger anti-corruption legislation, increased institutional funding, asset declarations by designated senior public officials and further digitalization of administrative procedures.

CONAC also announced plans to develop a National Programme on Integrity Education to promote ethical values from an early age.

Source: Business in Cameroon