Cameroon policies and project opportunities appeal and frustrate in equal measure

Cameroon can be a frustrating place to do business. Industry players complain of political appointments to key posts – privatised utility AES Sonel’s new deputy managing director Jean-Jacques Ledru is a presidential appointee – and a slow pace of negotiations. Anger at rising fuel and food costs spilled over into riots last month in which 17 people were killed, and President Paul Biya’s plans to amend the constitution to allow him to seek another seven-year term of office have dismayed many Cameroonians hoping for change.