A Concrete Alliance to Eradicate Corruption

SODECAO Takes a Firm Stand Against Corruption, Hand-in-Hand with NACC.

As part of a major governance overhaul, the Cocoa Development Corporation (SODECAO) has reached a critical milestone in its fight against corruption. From September 22-23, 2025, members of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) took part in a capacity-building workshop, demonstrating the company's firm commitment to restoring trust and complying with international integrity and ethical standards.

Held in the locality of Mfou, the workshop marks a tangible step in operationalizing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022-2026 within parastatal entities. It aligns directly with the government's objectives to foster popular and institutional buy-in, aiming to create a "critical mass of positive actors" ready to say "no to corruption."

An Opening Ceremony Steeped in Commitment

The first day commenced with a solemn ceremony, punctuated by the national anthem—a symbol anchoring this struggle in republican values. Successive addresses by the Chairman of SODECAO's anti-corruption unit and a representative of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) underscored the importance and urgency of this synergistic effort.

An intensive curriculum geared towards equipping the guardians of integrity

The curriculum delivered by NACC experts was designed to provide participants with a holistic understanding of the scourge. Day one focused on fundamentals: the definitions, root causes, manifestations, and consequences of corruption, followed by a situational analysis of the fight in Cameroon. Participants were also familiarized with the legal framework, key stakeholders, the nuances of ethical dilemmas, and secure whistle-blowing procedures.

The second day, however, unveiled operational tools. CONAC experts presented the strategic roadmap of the NACS 2022-2026 and concrete mechanisms like PRECIS (Prevention, Education, Condition, and Sanction), a specialized preventive tool. A crucial module on preparing and conducting internal investigations completed this toolkit, fully equipping the unit for its future missions.

From Theory to Practice: Crafting a Concrete Action Plan

The workshop's evaluation adopted a resolutely practical approach. Following the sessions, NACC facilitators tasked the participants with a concrete mission: to formulate operational proposals for drafting the 2025-2026 action plan. This participatory methodology ensures the design of an action plan that is both tailored to SODECAO's specific realities and fully owned by its personnel. During the closing ceremony, participants praised the high quality of the discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the training's key takeaways.

A New Era for SODECAO

The organization of this joint workshop by SODECAO and NACC sends a powerful signal. It materializes SODECAO's commitment to the standards of good governance and transparency championed by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya. By empowering its anti-corruption unit, SODECAO is moving beyond mere compliance; it is embarking on a decisive transformation of its organizational culture.

Pour les participants, cet atelier marque un tournant décisif. Désormais acteurs aguerris de l’intégrité, ils regagnent leurs postes équipés de méthodologies éprouvées, comme l’outil PRECIS, et d’une compréhension claire des procédures. Ce changement de cap est bénéfique pour l’entreprise à plus d’un titre : il se traduira par une optimisation des ressources, une gestion renforcée des risques, une amélioration de l’efficacité opérationnelle et, surtout, une consolidation de sa réputation auprès des partenaires nationaux et internationaux.

The ball is now in the court of SODECAO's Anti-Corruption Unit. The quality and rigour demonstrated in implementing the 2025-2026 action plan, which will be reviewed during the next meeting with NACC, will be the true barometer of this initiative's success

Article by NJK