On 5 November 2026, the headquarters of the OHADA Permanent Secretariat hosted Law Day, organised by the Think Do Tank The Okwelians, in partnership with the Embassy of France in Cameroon.
Held under the theme “Securing Investment : How Can Legal Certainty Become a Driver of Territorial Attractiveness ?”, the event brought together stakeholders from the legal and economic sectors to reflect on the contribution of the law to the development and competitiveness of territories.
In his opening address, the OHADA Permanent Secretary, H.E. Professor Mayatta Ndiaye MBAYE, expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in the initiative, which placed the law at the heart of discussions as a strategic asset for economic growth.
Also associated with the event, the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Mr Achille BASSILEKIN III, recalled that business development requires an environment that provides guarantees of legal certainty. Having commended OHADA’s role in strengthening the institutional and legal framework for business, he expressed the hope that the discussions would help identify the conditions necessary for a more business-friendly legal environment, particularly in view of the proposed framework governing the status of the entreprenant in Cameroon.
Speaking on behalf of the Ambassador of France to Cameroon, Ms Muriel Piquet-Viaux thanked OHADA for hosting the event and commended the commitment of its organisers. Launched in 2023, Law Day is part of a diplomatic initiative aimed at reaffirming the place of law in international relations, she explained. She then called for a paradigm shift in the way legal rules are perceived, so that they would no longer be regarded merely as administrative constraints, but rather as strategic assets — “the foremost infrastructure for economic growth”. She subsequently officially opened the 2026 edition of Law Day in Cameroon, calling on stakeholders to pool their expertise and make the law a driver of territorial attractiveness.
Taking the floor thereafter, Mr Jean de Dieu MOMO, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, expressed the Cameroonian Government’s appreciation to the Embassy of France for its commitment to promoting the rule of law and commended OHADA’s contribution to the continuous improvement of the business climate. Reviewing the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Justice, he highlighted, in particular, efforts to strengthen the capacity of justice sector professionals, including judges, court registrars, lawyers and notaries.
Reiterating the importance of legal certainty, he stressed that “in an environment of international competition, States no longer compete solely on the basis of their natural resources or tax incentives, but increasingly, and above all, on the quality of their legal environment”. He concluded that legal certainty is not merely a requirement of the rule of law; it is also a factor of production, a source of economic confidence and a competitive advantage for States.
Law Day 2026 thus provided an inclusive forum for dialogue among those involved in shaping the law, legal practitioners, experts and the various stakeholders affected by and subject to its application. The discussions initiated on this occasion are intended to culminate in recommendations aimed at making the law a driver of competitiveness and territorial attractiveness.
