Regularly praised by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Cameroon’s national oil company affirmed its commitment to fighting corruption in the hydrocarbons sector during a working session with the civil society organization Transparency International Cameroon.
Despite weak engagement from various stakeholders in Cameroon’s hydrocarbon value chain, which led the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( EITI ) to suspend Cameroon in 2024, the National Hydrocarbons Corporation ( SNH ) states its determination to strengthen transparency in the sector. This will be achieved by continuing the regular publication of data on oil and gas projects and activities in Cameroon and by combating corruption.
This is the commitment presented on February 26 in Yaoundé by the advisor No. 2 and head of the legal division of SNH, Nathalie Moudiki who represented the managing director of the public company at a working session with the president of the civil society organization Transparency International Cameroon, Njoh Manga Bell
The two institutions, which collaborate within the Cameroon National EITI Committee, agreed to “consolidate a constructive partnership and consider prospects for increased collaboration in favor of ever more transparent and responsible management of extractive resources” , SNH indicated in the communication made on this activity.
SNH’s commitment to transparency has been tested over the past two years by corruption cases, such as the Glencore affair in which executives of the Swiss commodities trader were prosecuted by British courts for illicit payments to government officials in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. The trial is scheduled for October 2027.
In Cameroon, where civil society actors have asked the SNH to publish the names of officials who allegedly received bribes for oil sales, the SNH has opted to file a complaint with the Special Criminal Court (TCS) of Yaoundé on November 6, 2023 to identify and prosecute any Cameroonian accomplices in these alleged acts.
The opening of an investigation in Cameroon has not been officially announced to date. However, SNH reiterated that it was awaiting the start of investigations by the Cameroonian justice system following its complaint.
In doing so, the Company aims to meet the growing expectations of international partners for transparency in extractive industries, as well as those of Cameroonian citizens.
