At 15th stakeholders award night: Customs celebrates partners' outstanding performance.

The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, presided the event in the presence of the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod Nuvaga. A cross section of regional administrative authorities, business leaders, logistics operators, and key partners involved in import and export activities in the country also attended the event. 

The officials said the event served as a platform to recognise the contributions of companies and institutions, including media houses, whose compliance, performance and partnership have strengthened the Customs system and enhanced national revenue mobilisation.

Minister Motaze hails Customs-Private sector collaboration

In his keynote address, Minister Louis Paul Motaze hailed the gains of Customs and the private sector working relationships. He described the stakeholders’ evening as a vital forum that reinforces dialogue and trust between government and economic operators.

The minister emphasised that since independence, Cameroon’s development strategy has relied heavily on cooperation between the State and the private sector.

“This partnership has fostered a climate of trust and facilitated the implementation of economic reforms that have strengthened our business environment,” he stated.

Motaze underscored the resilience of Cameroon’s economy despite global challenges such as inflation, rising interest rates, and disruptions in international supply chains, political upheavals, amongst others. 

He said in difficult periods, the businesses did not fall into the prey of political irresponsible actors who attempted to paralyse the economy through boycotts.  

According to him, customs revenue mobilisation reached exceptional levels in 2025, exceeding government targets. He disclosed that customs services mobilised 1,155.6 billion FCFA in 2025, surpassing the target of 1,136 billion FCFA and achieving a performance rate of 101.7 percent. This, he added, is due to the reliable compliance of business owners.

“This exceptional performance would not have been possible without the commitment of compliant economic operators, transporters, logistics companies, and financial institutions,” he said, expressing government’s gratitude to stakeholders.

Customs DG highlights reforms, modernization

Speaking earlier, Customs Director General, Edwin Fongod Nuvaga, stressed that the partnership between customs and businesses has evolved significantly since 2009, when the services shifted from a confrontational approach to a collaborative model.

He cited key reforms that have improved transparency and efficiency, including; electronic payment of duties and taxes, simplified customs procedures, enhanced publication of regulations and report establishment of consultation forums and technical commissions

He also announced progress in implementing the Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, programme, which will officially enter into force in 2026. The programme, he said, will grant certified operators several advantages, including reduced physical inspections, faster clearance procedures, and international recognition.

He said it represents the highest level of trust between customs and compliant economic operators. 

Fongod further noted that customs training initiatives launched in 2024 had already trained over 350 young Cameroonians in logistics and international trade, with more than 75 percent securing employment.

Private sector commends leadership

Speaking on behalf of private sector partners, the President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon, EUROCHAM, Yanis Arnopoulos, commended the customs administration and Ministry of Finance for reforms and improved dialogue. 

He particularly praised government responsiveness in resolving recent operational disruptions affecting external trade.

Arnopoulos stated that the resilience of the economy depends on stable regulations, predictable procedures and constructive dialogue. He reaffirmed private sector commitment to compliance, transparency and cooperation with customs authorities.

Major partners awarded 

Several companies and institutions were honoured for their outstanding contributions in customs compliance, export performance, logistics efficiency, and revenue mobilisation. 

They were recognised in categories ranging from largest contributors to customs revenue amongst which the first prize was handed to Société Anonyme des Boissons du Cameroun, SABC, with over 208.6 billion FCFA in duties and taxes paid.

Other distinguished contributors included major industrial and commercial operators such as Cameroon Oil-related industrial operator, Cameroon United Forest, Cameroon Forestal Company Cameroon, Carrefour Logistique, NICE Transit, CDD Transit, amongst others. 

Again, more longstanding partners were honoured for sustained collaboration in Cameroon’s international trade and logistics chain. Institutional and strategic partnership were given to the Chambers of commerce, customs facilitation partners and logistics companies.

The highlight of the award night was the recognition of three media partners. The Guardian Post received special recognition for its professional coverage of customs activities, with over 139 published reports in 2025 and 16 since the year 2026 began. The second prize for media effective coverage was handed to State-run media organ, Cameroon Tribune, and the third prize to private economic newspaper, Bougna.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3713 of Tuesday February 24, 2026