Three years after its operationalization, the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDEC) claims to have centralized more than 151 billion CFA francs (over 260 million USD) in resources. These figures, which confirm the growing importance of this institution in the Cameroonian financial landscape, were revealed by the Director General (DG), Richard Evina Obam. They illustrate the expansion of CDEC’s activities.
During the period under review, as reported by the Director General on July 7, 2026, “more than 22,000 operations had been processed, including more than 17,000 deposits covering judicial, administrative, bail, sequestration, and unclaimed assets funds.” These activities fall within the framework of CDEC’s primary missions, namely securing and preserving funds. Since its launch in 2023, the institution has thus disbursed more than 20 billion CFA francs (nearly 35 million USD) to beneficiaries, demonstrating its role as a trusted third party in the management of regulated resources.
At the same time, CDEC is gradually developing its role as an institutional investor. The institution indicates that it has engaged in a prudent policy of valorizing its resources, with over 56 billion CFA francs (approximately 96 million USD) invested in financial securities.
A significant portion of these investments, exceeding 40 billion CFA francs (almost 69 million USD), is directed towards Treasury bills and government bonds. This strategy aims to generate income while preserving the security of entrusted funds.
For Richard Evina Obam, this evolution reflects a broader ambition. “By establishing CDEC, the State has chosen to equip itself with a public instrument capable of contributing, alongside other actors in the financial system, to the mobilization of long-term resources, their security, and their orientation towards development financing,” he affirms.
This direction is part of a strategy to diversify the sources of financing for the Cameroonian economy. It also takes shape through the Diaspora and Development project (DIASDEV), the conclusions of which have just been presented.
This program aims to create a regulated savings mechanism for Cameroonians in the diaspora as well as residents. The goal is to better channel a portion of migrants’ transfers, estimated at nearly 652 billion CFA francs (around 1.2 billion USD) in 2024, towards productive investments.
For the DG of CDEC, the challenge goes beyond the creation of a new financial product. “It thus constitutes an important step in diversifying our economic model and gradually strengthening our role as an institutional investor,” emphasizes Richard Evina Obam.
The results presented on July 7, 2026 confirm the progressive transformation of CDEC. The institution is no longer limited to the preservation of regulated funds. It now asserts its role in mobilizing long-term savings, securing resources, and financing the economy.
As its portfolio expands, CDEC could become a major player in long-term financing in Cameroon. Its ability to combine security, profitability, and support for public policies will be crucial in establishing its place within the national financial system.
