[ACCI-CAVIE] Cameroon is stepping decisively into the arena of economic warfare, adopting an asymmetric approach—but with the clear intention of roaring like a lion. This bold ambition is embodied by the transformation of the Directorate General of External Research (DGRE), now equipped with competitive intelligence tools under the guidance and internationally recognised expertise of Dr Guy Gweth.

From 30 June to 4 July 2025, an intensive training session led by the President of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI) was delivered to 50 intelligence officers and senior staff, and has—according to DG Jean Pierre Ghoumo—literally transformed the DGRE. This initiative, driven from the highest level of government, represents a break with traditional paradigms. The objective: to endow Cameroon with strategic foresight, informational penetration, and the ability to neutralise economic threats—threats from which no nation is exempt.

The DGRE Expands Its Operational Mandate to Economic Conflict Zones

Historically confined to political and security monitoring, the DGRE is now extending its operational scope to the field of economic conflict. This invisible terrain is the battleground for subversive information campaigns, predation of strategic assets, industrial espionage, market manipulation, and regulatory encirclement. These destabilising tactics are now squarely within Cameroon’s strategic radar.

At the opening of this “strategic” session, the DG set out the institution’s new doctrine:

“As a sovereign intelligence agency, the DGRE must position itself at the forefront of this evolution. Our mission of monitoring and anticipation must now fully integrate a competitive intelligence dimension—solely dedicated to safeguarding the vital interests of our nation.”

This unequivocal statement signals a turning point: Cameroon’s national security now includes the economic domain.

The tailor-made training enabled DGRE operatives to master economic investigation techniques, identify strategic targets, and map potential attack vectors both within Cameroon and beyond. The development of a national doctrine of competitive intelligence—underpinned by a coherent strategy and an actionable implementation plan—formed the backbone of the programme. Special emphasis was placed on the production of high-value deliverables for use by the nation’s top decision-makers.

J.P. Ghoumo: “Dr Gweth is one of Cameroon’s most reliable assets […] a prophet in his own land.”

The appointment of Dr Guy Gweth, President of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI), as the technical lead for this strategic upgrade is far from coincidental. He embodies high-level African expertise in a field where such competencies remain both rare and highly sought-after. Head of the Doing Business in Africa programme at CentraleSupélec since 2012, and a leading voice in the continent’s strategic thinking, Dr Gweth has advised governments and institutions operating in Africa for over a decade on matters of due diligence, economic diplomacy, geoeconomics, counter-influence, and strategic intelligence.

His selection by the DGRE is a powerful signal of trust in homegrown expertise — one that can stand alongside the best international practices. Professor Christian Abolo Mbita, representative of the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), hailed him as “one of the pioneers of the discipline in Africa, with global reach.” The Director General of the DGRE himself underscored that Dr Guy Gweth is “one of Cameroon’s safest bets […] a prophet in his own land,” emphasising the critical importance of his expertise — and that of the ACCI — to the creation and success of the forthcoming National Centre for Competitive and Strategic Intelligence (CNIES).

Defending Its Interests, Protecting Its Economic Ecosystem, and Making Its Voice Heard

This initiative, carried out in close collaboration with ACCI — which is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a leading actor in information sovereignty — positions Cameroon as a proactive player in the global competition. The country no longer intends to passively endure asymmetric power struggles; it now aims to introduce its own dynamics.

By equipping its DGRE with the tools of competitive intelligence and relying on an expert such as Dr Guy Gweth, Cameroon sends a clear warning: it now has the sensors to detect threats, the analytical capacity to decode them, and the operational tools to neutralise them. This is a firm expression of political will to fiercely defend its interests, protect its economic ecosystem, and make its voice heard on the international stage — proving that with the right strategy and skills, even a player seen as asymmetric can roar like a lion in the geoeconomic arena.

The Editorial Team