By Boris Esono Nwenfor
YAOUNDE, Cameroon – With the civic space continuing to shrink across Central Africa, efforts to preserve democratic values and foster participatory governance have taken a significant step forward. Dr Denis Foretia, Co-Chair of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute, has initiated talks aimed at enhancing collaboration between Cameroonian civil society organizations (CSOs) and the United States Embassy in Yaoundé.
On Monday, July 7, Dr. Foretia led a three-man delegation to the U.S. Embassy where they were received in audience by His Excellency Christopher J. Lamora, U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon. The high-level discussions focused on building a sustainable partnership to support civic engagement, promote fundamental freedoms, and strengthen democratic institutions in Cameroon and the Central African region.
The meeting comes at a time when civil society in Cameroon is facing growing challenges, including administrative crackdowns, limited access to funding, and shrinking platforms for dialogue. These constraints, analysts say, are eroding transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation in governance.
Discussions centered on exploring possible avenues of collaboration aimed at strengthening the role of think tanks and amplifying the voice of civil society organizations in contributing effectively in the advent of participatory governance in Cameroon and Central Africa.
The hope is that this meeting between the two officials will be a transformative partnership that reinforces civil society as a pillar of democracy, especially amid growing concerns about political space and citizen rights.
About the Nkafu Policy Institute
The Nkafu Policy Institute is a nonpartisan, independent think tank of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Its mission is to provide independent, in-depth, and insightful policy recommendations that advance the Cameroonian economy and the economies of other sub-Saharan African countries. Nkafu works to advance public policies that help all Africans prosper in free, fair, and sustainable economies.
About the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation
The Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation was established to catalyze Africa’s economic transformation by focusing on social entrepreneurship, science and technology, innovation, public health, and progressive policies that create economic opportunities for all. The foundation works in partnership with local governments, policy makers, private enterprises, civil society organizations as well as development partners to expand the resources available to entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners in addition to improving individual livelihoods.
The Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and Board support. We receive donations from hundreds of individuals around the world, as well as institutional grants, project grants and gifts. The Foundation is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
