Post-election crisis: GeCAM reports over 254 billion FCFA losses.

This is according to results of findings made through a comprehensive survey conducted by the Union of Cameroon Enterprises, known by its French acronym, GeCAM. 

Announcing the launch of the study in a press release dated November 10, 2025, GeCAM President, Célestin Tawamba, said the aim was to objectively assess the impact of the post-election unrest on Cameroon’s economic fabric. 

This, he added, was in line with GeCAM’s mandate to protect the private sector and its stakeholders.

It should be recalled that, barely weeks after Cameroonians went to the October 12 poll, the country had plunged into a social crisis of dreaded intensity, marked by rising insecurity, “ghost town” operations, disrupted logistics and paralysed commercial activity.

GeCAM opined that the unrests significantly tarnished Cameroon’s image on the international stage, weakening investor confidence and trade flows.

According to GeCAM, the crisis unfolded in three distinct phases; that is rising tensions from October 12 to 25; an intensification of unrest between October 26 and 30; and a severe disruption of economic activity from November 3 to 5, with lingering effects.

The assessment focused specifically on the critical period between October 26 and November 5, 2025.

To quantify the damage, GeCAM went on and conducted a quantitative survey from November 6 to December 2, 2025, covering 289 companies, both members and non-members of the organisation. 

These firms, it has been said, represent a combined annual turnover of 4,825 billion FCFA, underscoring the economic weight of the sample.

The survey, it has been said, was complemented by qualitative interviews with 11 professional organisations, providing deeper sectoral insights. 

Notably, 78% of respondents were based in Douala, the epicentre of the crisis and a city that accounts for nearly 67% of national turnover.

In terms of structure, the sample comprised 56% Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, SMEs; 28% micro-enterprises and 16% large enterprises, operating across production, 26%, trade 27% and services 47%.

The preliminary results of the study were presented on December 22, 2025, during a working session held at GeCAM’s headquarters in Douala. 

The session had in attendance close to 100 economic actors, including business leaders, institutional representatives, financiers and technical partners. 

The meeting was chaired by Protais Ayangma Amang, Vice-President of GeCAM, and formed part of a validation and consultation process ahead of the report’s official publication 

Gross damages on already fragile economy 

GeCAM reiterated that even before the crisis erupted, Cameroon’s private sector was under strain. 

The survey revealed that 65% of businesses were already in a vulnerable or intermediate situation, while 58% faced pre-existing difficulties linked to rising input costs, limited access to foreign exchange and unreliable electricity supply.

The post-election unrest therefore acted as a powerful shock on an already fragile economic base. The most striking finding is the scale of revenue contraction. 

On average, the report noted, businesses recorded a 33.5% drop in turnover, translating into 202.2 billion FCFA in direct losses, equivalent to about 0.6% of Cameroon’s GDP in 2025.

Of this amount, 160.5 billion FCFA was lost in Douala alone, confirming the city’s central role in national economic activity and its exposure during the crisis.

Beyond lost revenue, 24 companies, about 8%, reported material damage, including theft, destruction and fires. 

Based on available declarations, these losses are estimated at 9.156 billion FCFA, with the trade and distribution sector particularly affected.

State finances not exempted, fall in taxes

The slowdown in business activity had immediate consequences for public finances. GeCAM estimates an instant tax fall of 43.3 billion FCFA, driven mainly by reduced Value Added Tax, VAT, collections and lower corporate income tax payments.

Put together, losses borne by companies amounted to 211.4 billion FCFA and the State 43.3 billion FCFA, bringing the total economic cost of the crisis to 254.6 billion FCFA.

However, the impact of the crisis varied significantly across sectors with the most affected being hotels and restaurants with 53.4%; construction with 44.6% and industry and energy with 39.8%.

This is so because, these sectors were revealed to have been exposed to movement restrictions, insecurity, supply disruptions and the collapse of demand.

Impact on logistics, inflationary pressure

Going by the findings, unrest severely disrupted supply chains nationwide. According to the survey, 86% of agricultural businesses and 74% of industrial firms reported major logistical blockages. 

The disruptions, it said, fueled inflationary pressures, with companies reporting an average inflation rate of 20.1%, rising at 32.5% in the agricultural sector. 

In addition, 75% of businesses experienced total shutdowns of activity during the height of the crisis.

This had a spillover effect on cash flow, as liquidity constraints emerged as a critical threat to business survival. 

The study found that: 44% of businesses could no longer meet tax obligations; 45% struggled to pay social security contributions; 40% defaulted on bank repayments.

Alarmingly, 30% of firms were unable to meet all three obligations simultaneously, raising serious concerns about the continuity of formal economic activity.

On the social aspect, the crisis is said to have led 17.3% of businesses reducing their workforce. Aside the employee redundancy, 56% of companies are said to have reported a deterioration in internal social climate and management conditions. 

Overall, 81% of business leaders described the business environment as "fragile, critical or very worrying". 

Amongst these, 39% expressed pessimism or psychological distress. But this is not the same with the hospitality sector as the figure strikingly rose to 50% in the hotel and restaurant sector.

GeCAM’s call for urgent action

In light of what it describes as “an exceptionally severe crisis for the private sector,” GeCAM has identified priority recovery levers, based on feedback from businesses and validation workshops. 

The group is advocating for an emergency fiscal measure, with 72% targeted tax relief, a moratorium on audits and deferred deadlines to ease cash-flow pressure.

GeCAM also reported financial support mechanisms of 51% in grants and credit lines, with special focus on micro-enterprises. 

Moreover, on infrastructure rehabilitation and security, which encured 46% and 45%, reparations of such damaged facilities will strengthen security in economic zones.

The organisation said logistical appeasement measures should be implemented with temporary suspension of road checks on major corridors to restore trade flows.

GeCAM has said the conclusions of the study will be shared constructively with public authorities.

The organisation has reiterated its commitment to dialogue and collaboration with institutional partners, stressing the need for swift, coordinated action to restore economic and social stability.

The report has warned that failure to act decisively could lead to long-term damage. GeCAM has argued that the crisis could also serve as a turning point or an opportunity to implement structural reforms that strengthen resilience, competitiveness and investor confidence in Cameroon’s economy.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3667 of Thursday January 08, 2026