By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Léandre Bassolé has officially assumed the role of Director General of the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) Regional Office for Development, Integration, and Business Delivery for Central Africa.
On August 27, 2025, Bassolé presented his letters of introduction to Oumarou Chinmoun, Secretary General of the Cameroonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who represented Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Their discussions underscored the Bank’s strategic importance in the development of both Cameroon and the broader sub-region.
“We understand that you are here as a son, a brother, and a friend,” Chinmoun stated. “I must express how pleased our government is that the Bank has chosen our country to host its sub-regional headquarters.”
He further emphasized the importance of the AfDB’s support: “At the sub-regional level, we welcome your assistance in implementing economic and financial programs. Given the challenges posed by the global financial crisis, the African Development Bank’s support adds value in strengthening our countries’ resilience against various shocks.”
The following day, August 28, Bassolé received an official welcome from Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, who also serves as the Governor of the Bank for Cameroon. Their discussions focused on the status of cooperation, progress on existing projects, and future commitments in support of the National Development Strategy 2030.
“I greatly appreciate the quality of our cooperative relationship with the Bank Group,” Mey remarked. “We currently have 24 active projects in priority development sectors, focusing on integrated initiatives that will significantly impact the economy and the quality of life for our citizens.”
Bassolé reiterated the Bank’s commitment to enhancing its operational presence, accelerating project implementation, and increasing the impact of initiatives in the seven countries covered by the regional office: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DRC, and Chad.
“The African Development Bank’s strategy is to launch all our regional operations from Cameroon and establish Yaoundé as a center of excellence,” he stated. “Our commitments in the country now total approximately $2.2 billion, with nearly 50 percent allocated to transport, followed by energy and agriculture.”
He concluded, “We will work closely to develop projects and programs that align with the aspirations of the Cameroonian authorities and sustainably improve the living conditions of the population.”
As of June 30, 2025, the African Development Bank Group’s portfolio in Cameroon comprised 24 projects valued at $2.2 billion. Across the Central Africa region, it encompasses 130 operations, including around 40 regional and multinational projects, totaling over $5 billion.
