By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon Minister of the Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the new UNDP Resident Representative in Cameroon, Mathieu Ciowela, have assessed the current situation and charted a new path for future programs.
This outcome follows the audience granted to Mathieu Ciowela by Minister Ousmane Mey on July 29 in Yaoundé. Speaking after an hour-long closed-door session, the new UNDP representative lauded the “fruitful discussions” and stressed the strong relationship between Cameroon and UNDP.
“First, I paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency to introduce myself as the new Resident Representative of UNDP in Cameroon and also to take the opportunity to learn more from him on the priorities and challenges that Cameroon is facing,” Ciowela stated. He added that the meeting was also an opportunity “to appreciate the progress already made in the implementation of the current UNDP program in the country.”
Ciowela outlined the UNDP’s program in Cameroon, which is structured around three key pillars: sustainable economic growth (transformative and inclusive), inclusive governance and peace consolidation, and environment, climate change, and disaster risk management. With the current UNDP program, initiated four years ago, set to conclude next year, Ciowela highlighted the importance of discussing the upcoming program.
“We also acknowledged the collaboration between the Government of Cameroon and the UNDP and, above all, the confidence the Government of Cameroon has shown in the UNDP by including it in the implementation of a major program: the Presidential Plan for Reconstruction and Development in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions,” he affirmed. “This program builds better, but also offers hope and prospects for a brighter future.”
Regarding his mandate in Cameroon, Ciowela expressed his optimism, citing the “excellent cooperation” already in place as a solid foundation. “I will ensure that the ongoing program progresses, reaches its goals, and achieves all expected results,” he stated. “Secondly, I will strengthen the cooperation between the Government of Cameroon and the UNDP.”
He continued, “I am already satisfied with what has been done so far, and I would also like to work with the Minister to reinforce this cooperation. Furthermore, it’s really about ensuring that the support services the UNDP offers are of better quality.”
Mathieu Ciowela, from Democratic Republic of Congo, succeeding Opia Mensah Kumah in Cameroon. Ciowela brings extensive experience to the role, with a distinguished career marked by robust field expertise, strong administrative capabilities, and a proven record as a development strategist. He has made significant contributions in every country where he has served.
Since joining UNDP in 1990, Ciowela has risen through the ranks, holding key strategic positions across West and Central Africa, as well as at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa in New York. Most recently, he served as UNDP Resident Representative in Burundi (2022–2024) and in Burkina Faso (2019–2022).
