Recent findings from Afrobarometer reveal troubling realities: over half of Cameroonians admit to paying bribes to avoid police trouble, while nearly half have bribed officials for identity documents and 37% for medical care.

In a candid interview, renowned Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona, now living abroad, minced no words about the state of corruption in his homeland, targeting the younger generation with unflinching honesty.

“Cameroon’s youth are steeped in corruption. They’ve been raised in it. They expect handouts, and except for rare exceptions, they’ve embraced this mindset. I don’t see Cameroon escaping this cycle.”

“The truth is, young people know the police aren’t there for safety—they’re there to extract. A bribe of 500 francs is expected before they even lift a finger.”

Social media erupted with mixed responses. Some echoed Bona’s frustration: “There is a corrupt youth, but there’s also a majority who suffer from corruption’s grip.”

“Yes, shortcuts exist. Yes, blameworthy actions happen. But condemning an entire generation for its missteps won’t build a nation.”

Cameroon’s global ranking fuels concerns

Transparency International’s latest report, released in February, places Cameroon at 142nd out of 182 countries—highlighting systemic corruption as a national crisis.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Conac) admitted in its 2024 report that billions in CFA francs vanish annually from state coffers, perpetuated by individuals in positions of power.

An anonymous civil servant shared, “Many young people no longer recognize what’s wrong. Corruption feeds them.”

Yet voices of dissent argue that painting all youth with the same brush is unfair. “A significant portion of this generation is resilient, driven, and dignified—making the country proud.”

“If every young person were corrupt, Cameroon would be paralyzed.”

Youth: victims or accomplices of corruption?

Maître Akere Muna, founder of Transparency International Cameroon and international anti-corruption consultant, offers a nuanced perspective: Cameroonian youth are both victims and silent collaborators in a corrupt system.

“Corruption in Cameroon is systemic. Blaming the youth ignores the root cause: they don’t control anything. They survive by adapting. Their future is at stake, yet they’re forced to play along.”

“For decades, Cameroon’s culture rewarded connections over competence. Tribalism and nepotism dictated progress. Young people learned quickly—if you’re lazy, you go nowhere.”

Muna advocates for educational reforms that reward hard work and penalize complacency. Conac urges citizens to report corruption through its hotline, 1517, emphasizing collective action as the path forward.