The efficiency of a modern port is no longer measured solely by the quality of its infrastructure. It also depends on the speed of inspections, the smooth flow of procedures, and the ability of institutions to prevent operational bottlenecks.
In Cameroon, the role played by SGS in cargo scanning operations and in issuing the CIVIC certificate raises an important strategic question: can a single operator be entrusted with such critical responsibilities without creating a systemic risk for the national economy?
The facts suggest that any interruption or slowdown in these operations has far-reaching consequences. Vehicles remain stranded at the ports, industrial equipment fails to reach project sites, investments are delayed, and logistics costs rise significantly.
Beyond the financial losses incurred by businesses, Cameroon’s credibility as a regional logistics hub is also at stake. Investors value predictability, efficiency, and legal certainty above all else. Lengthy or disrupted procedures weaken that confidence and may redirect trade flows toward competing African ports.
This situation has reignited the debate over the governance of strategic port functions. Several options deserve careful consideration: strengthening public oversight, accelerating the digitalization of procedures, introducing independent evaluation mechanisms, developing business continuity solutions, and encouraging regulated competition where appropriate.
The objective is not to question the role of private operators, but rather to ensure that the continuity of economic activity never depends on a single link in the logistics chain.
At a time when the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is being implemented, logistics efficiency has become a decisive competitive advantage. Countries that can minimize import delays will attract more investment, expand their external trade, and strengthen their regional standing.
Cameroon possesses significant port assets. To unlock their full potential, the country must make the resilience of its logistics chain a national priority. Economic sovereignty is not built solely on natural resources; it also depends on a nation’s ability to guarantee the uninterrupted movement of trade and to inspire confidence among its economic partners.
