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Country reports: Africa and the Middle East
Table 10: Acceptability of corrupt practices in the private sector7 Rank / Practice
Index
1
Interference in awarding of public contracts in order to qualify
0.91
2
Seeking confidential information to win a public contract
0.88
3
Influencing a police investigation
0.88
4
Speeding up a service that is normally part of one’s work
0.86
5
Obtaining a position without the required qualifications
0.83
6
Facilitating/accelerating administrative procedures
0.80
7
Obtaining special favours
0.78
8
Changing the location of a project for one’s own benefit
0.65
Source: CRETES and TI, 2007.
private sector companies, representing 1 per cent of their turnover or about CFA4.5 billion (US$10.8 million). Corruption also has a negative impact on the competitiveness and level of development of these businesses, as well as on the various stakeholders who depend on them. Bribe money within each sector goes to a variety of recipients (see table 11). It is clear that, across sectors, the most prevalent form of corruption involves bribing the police. This is particularly the case in the industrial sector, commercial sector, goods and services, and financial and property services. Furthermore, across different sectors there is considerable variation in the numbers of respondents to the questionnaire. It is debatable whether this is indicative of levels of transparency in the sector, but it is interesting to note that stakeholders in certain industries, such as the extractive industries, systematically refused to answer questions related to corruption. Moreover, according to the survey, individuals resort to corrupt practices for a number of major reasons (see table 12). This list provides an indication of the challenges and issues that need
to be dealt with in Cameroon, according to the respondents.
Moving forward: lessons to be learnt This information provides an overall perspective on corruption in Cameroon in relation to the private sector’s interaction with the government. This is a starting point from which lessons can be learnt, particularly considering President Biya’s statement that Cameroon is facing inaction and inertia in its efforts against corruption. In relation to the issues raised by private sector stakeholders in table 12, the most important factors that encourage corruption are impunity and lack of sanctions, inertia and inaction on the part of the administration, the desire for personal enrichment, lack of transparency and low wages. The government has responded with various measures to deal with these challenges. In relation to impunity and lack of sanctions, an acceleration of legal proceedings has led to high-level government dignitaries being charged and imprisoned. The cases, dealt with under
7 A score of 0 indicates quite acceptable, 1 indicates not at all acceptable.