Foreign Direct Investment Protective Measures in Cameroon: What Prospects for Implementation

Abstract

Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role in the development of many countries around the world in terms of growth of the economy. Thus, Cameroon as a developing country seeking to alleviate poverty and improve its economic growth with its rich natural resources, has put in place series of investment laws and policies in the past years to attract and regulate the flow of FDI. Surprisingly, despites the number of times these investment codes have been revised and implemented; the country is yet to record a remarkable FDI flow. Cameroon still wallows in misery as potential investors shy away from investing in Cameroon because of the poor institutionalization of its investment policies. This paper examines the protective measures enshrined in legal instruments governing investments in Cameroon and their extent of implementation by competent regulatory agencies as they serve as barometer in measuring investment climate in the Country. This paper also attempts to reveal some of the problems and their possible solutions hindering the flow of FDI in Cameroon after a vivid analysis of the concept of FDI in a global perspective. To achieve these, we applied doctrinal approach in assembling data consonant to the research, and we conclude with some recommendations which are hoped to contribute in attracting FDI flow and guarantee investment security in Cameroon.