Business Corruption

Public procurement is singled out by the US Department of State 2010 as a sector with a high level of potential corruption. Indeed, a large number of companies queried by Transparency International 2007 (in French) admit to having paid bribes when participating in competitive bidding. Companies are highly recommended to use a public procurement due diligence tool in order to avoid the costs and mitigate the risk of corruption involving procurement in Cameroon.

Political Corruption

According to Global Integrity 2008, conflict of interest regulations are not consistently enforced and officials are able to award contracts to family members and associates.

For more information on public procurement, see 'Public Anti-Corruption Initiatives' in the Initiatives section.

Frequency

World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011:
- Business leaders give the diversion of public funds to companies, individuals, or groups due to corruption a score of 2.3 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'very common' and 7 'never occurs').

- Business leaders give the favouritism of government officials towards well-connected companies and individuals when deciding upon policies and contracts a score of 2.8 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'always show favouritism' and 7 'never show favouritism').

The World Bank & IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2009:
- Over 58.7% of companies expect to give gifts in order to secure a government contract.

- The value of a gift expected to secure government contracts amounts to 6% of the contract value. Transparency International: Enquête nationale auprés des entreprises sur la corruption au Cameroun - 2007 (in French): - 49% of the companies that participated in competitive bidding resorted to paying bribes.