At CENPA workshop in Ebolowa: IPA urges journalists to market Cameroon’s investment potential.

He was speaking during a workshop organized by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA, in Ebolowa, on April 9. 

The workshop was under the theme: “Consolidating National Unity: The Role of the Media”.

Participants included newspaper publishers, journalists and communication stakeholders. For goal was to examine how the press can contribute to peacebuilding, curb hate speech and support national development.

In his presentation, Ondo’oto outlined the IPA’s mandate, its recent legislative overhaul, and the specific role media practitioners can play in marketing Cameroon’s investment potential to the world. 

He linked responsible journalism to national stability and economic growth, highlighting the role of media practitioners in promoting unity, particularly in the North West and South West Regions.

“The real national dialogue is the work you are doing every day to stabilise the country,” Ondo’oto stated. He added that the media’s efforts contribute to a gradual return to peace and social balance in affected regions.

Ondo'oto traced the agency’s origin to a presidential decree signed on September 1, 2005, which formally established the IPA. 

He added that it was not until January 22, 2010, that the agency went operational, when a second presidential decree appointed its first board of directors and management team.

The IPA, he said, subsequently relocated its headquarters from Douala to Yaounde. He explained that investment procedures were previously lengthy, with approval processes taking up to five months due to multiple administrative reviews across ministries.

IPA: A one-stop shop

According to Ondo'oto, recent reforms have significantly reduced these delays. He said an ordinance signed on July 18, 2025 transformed the IPA into a one-stop shop, bringing together key administrations including tax and customs authorities to streamline investor services.

“Today, the longest processing time is about 20 days, and we are moving towards 10 days,” the IPA official noted.

He added that the reform also expands the agency’s scope to include both private and public sector investments, allowing state-owned enterprises to benefit from the same incentives previously reserved for private investors.

Ondo'oto said under the revised framework, investors benefit from extensive incentives, including tax and customs exemptions during a five-year installation phase, followed by a five-year operational phase with continued support. He also mentioned assistance in land acquisition through government channels.

“During the installation phase, investors pay no taxes or customs duties,” the IPA official said.

He further explained that the IPA also supports investors for up to 15 years, ensuring projects deliver on employment targets and contribute to import substitution, a key policy priority aimed at reducing reliance on foreign goods.

According to the IPA official, conventions are no longer tied to a company but to individual projects. 

He said a single enterprise may now hold as many conventions as it has distinct projects spanning agro-industry, construction, hospitality or any qualifying sector.

Ondo'oto’s presentation was part of broader discussions at the workshop on how media professionals can align reporting with national cohesion goals while also promoting the country’s economic potential to both local and international investors.

At the event, participants were trained on a range of topics including a presentation by Bouddih Adams titled: “The Media Can Make or Mar”, while Yerima Kini Nsom took participants through mainstreaming national integration in news reporting. 

CENPA President, Ngah Christian, on his part, handled the topic of managing the media in crisis periods.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3761 of Wednesday April 15, 2026