Cameroon is stepping up its strategy to mobilize its diaspora, with the government positioning itself to turn the savings of Cameroonians abroad into structural investment for the country’s development.
On September 18 and 19, 2026, the forum « Ensemble Back Home » will be held in Paris, with a clear objective: to convert the estimated 650 billion CFA francs in annual remittances sent home by Cameroonians living abroad into investments capable of driving national development. The event is organized by the Réseau Ensemble network and is expected to bring together diplomats, government ministers and members of the diaspora around themes such as diaspora bonds, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
Ahead of the forum, the government has already taken concrete steps to engage its diaspora. On August 3, Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze met with the head of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss how migration policies can help strengthen the links between diaspora capital, business creation and job generation.
The Senate has also welcomed the growing engagement of the diaspora, with its First Vice-President publicly commending its contribution.
Organizers describe the Paris forum as more than a symbolic gathering. Beyond speeches, they say it aims to be a concrete initiative to transform what they call the « dormant capital » of the diaspora into durable economic, social and cultural levers for the country. The presence of Ambassador Magnus Ekoumou and several expected government ministers underscores the importance the Cameroonian authorities are placing on the event.
The initiative reflects a broader trend across the continent, as African governments increasingly look to their diasporas — and the capital, skills and networks they hold as a resource to be actively mobilized rather than simply a source of remittances.