Gov’t, AfDB assess projects progress in Cameroon.

This was when the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Alamine Ousmane Mey, granted audience to Leandre Bassole, the new Director General for Central Africa of the AfDB Group, who doubles as Cameroon’s Country Representative of the bank. 

The minister told journalists that after his guest had presented his letters of credence to the Minister of External Relations on Wednesday, August 27, it was time to settle down to work, reason why the diplomat sought audience for them to begin work in earnest by taking a look at the state of ongoing projects being executed in the country by the AfDB Group.

Minister Alamine described the AfDB as the frontline multi-lateral financial institution that is deeply involved in the sponsoring of development projects all over the continent.

Apart from reviewing the State of execution of projects, the minister said they also used the meeting to evaluate the level of cooperation between the two parties, especially as the Presidency of the AfDB Group changes hands from Nigerian born Dr Akinwunmi Ayodeji Adessina to Mauritania born Dr Sidi Ould Tah, with effect from 1st September, 2025 for a five-year term.

Minister Alamine stressed the need for AfDB projects to be in line with government aspirations as enshrined in the National Development Strategy, NDS 30.

The incoming Country Representative and Director General for Central Africa of the AfDB Group, had during the meeting, pledged the commitment of the institution to offer holistic support to all development-oriented projects being executed in Cameroon.

Minister Alamine expressed confidence in the new official´s ability to deliver, as he went further to unveil both the rich academic attainments of the officer and envious professional career he had trailed so far.

“Leandre Bassole is a renowned economist, who obtained his doctorate degree in development economics from the Clermont Auvergne University in France. He is also a holder of many other certificates including one obtained online from the Harvard Business school”, Minister Alamine disclosed.

Apart from academic achievements, Minister Alamine also delved into the professional life of the new AfDB boss in the country and sub region. Here, he specified that the Burkinabe had accumulated not less than 19 years of working experience, having been recruited into the World Bank Group after graduation.

He then joined the AfDB Group in 2009 as a senior microeconomist. He worked in no fewer than seven African nations, including Cape Verde, Comoro Islands, Mali, Burundi, Madagascar, Senegal and Rwanda.

Before his present appointment, Bassole was Assistant Director General for East Africa, of the AfDB Group.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3554 of Thursday September 04, 2025