[ACCI-CAVIE] In a world where the lines between diplomacy, defence, and the economy are increasingly blurred, Cameroon’s Directorate General for External Research (DGRE) is undergoing a transformation. This institution, a pillar of national security, is embarking on a major strategic shift by resolutely opening up to the field of competitive intelligence. This transition, far from being a mere adjustment, is a strong assertion of Cameroon’s determination to protect its vital interests by relying on genuine local competitive intelligence.

To steer this crucial pivot, the Cameroonian state called upon a continental authority: Dr Guy Gweth, president of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI). His appointment as instructor and adviser to the DGRE reflects confidence in endogenous expertise to meet the challenges of economic warfare.

From Traditional Monitoring to Economic Warfare: A Proactive Agency

From 30 June to 4 July 2025, an intensive training session led by Dr Guy Gweth was held for 50 intelligence personnel, marking a decisive turning point for the intelligence community. Long recognised for its expertise in traditional political and security monitoring, the DGRE is expanding its operational scope to new forms of economic conflict. These include, among others, destabilisation through information, influence and counter-influence operations, unfair competition over strategic assets, theft of sensitive data, and regulatory encirclement.

At the opening of this special session, which brought together military, police, and civilian agents, the DGRE’s Director General stated: “The Directorate General for External Research, as a sovereign intelligence service, must position itself at the forefront of this evolution. Our traditional role of monitoring and anticipation must now fully integrate a dimension of competitive intelligence, focused on protecting the strategic interests of our nation.” This unequivocal statement signals the institution’s resolve not only to react but to anticipate and act on new arenas of confrontation.

Dr Gweth’s teachings enabled Cameroonian intelligence agents to decipher contemporary economic offensives, understand their concrete impacts in Africa and Cameroon, and acquire the necessary tools to respond effectively. Special emphasis was placed on developing a robust national doctrine, a clear strategy, a coherent public policy, and a national intelligence plan. Participants were also trained to implement comprehensive 360-degree monitoring, to operate a state-specific competitive intelligence system, and to produce high-value reports for decision-makers aligned with local realities and the demands of a strategic state.

African Expertise Serving Sovereignty and Competitiveness

Dr Guy Gweth’s selection is no accident. At the helm of the ACCI, he is a leading figure in African strategic thought. For over 15 years, he has advised governments, institutions, and major companies on critical issues of geostrategy, economic sovereignty, and due diligence. His collaboration with the DGRE is concrete proof of Cameroon’s commitment to leverage its own resources and regional skills to enhance its capacity for anticipation, influence, and economic protection. This alliance marks a genuine transformation.

This DGRE initiative comes at a key moment for the ACCI, which is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary on 03 August 2025. In one decade, the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence has trained over a thousand senior public and private executives across the continent and supported leading strategic institutions—from the Presidencies of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo to the Foreign Ministries of Tunisia and Benin, as well as major African financial and economic institutions.

By fostering close cooperation between the DGRE, the ACCI Cameroon, and MINEPAT, Yaoundé aims to establish itself as a regional power. Aware of economic power struggles, it is determined to rely on the most advanced indigenous expertise to face them by defending, attacking, and influencing. This demonstrates that African competitive intelligence is both possible and essential for the future of Africa and its people.

The Editorial Team