Traditionally focused on political and security matters, the Directorate General of External Research, DGRE, is now expanding its scope to include economic threats, a transformation aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate and respond to emerging risks in today’s interconnected global economy.
In a move that signals a major shift in Cameroon’s national security strategy, the country’s DGRE has officially launched a new phase of operations centered around competitive intelligence. Traditionally focused on political and security matters, the DGRE is now expanding its scope to include economic threats, a transformation aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to anticipate and respond to emerging risks in today’s interconnected global economy.
The change was formally introduced through a high-level training programme held from June 30 to July 6, 2025, under the leadership of Dr Guy Gweth, President of the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI), known in French as CAVIE. This initiative, involving strategic collaboration between the DGRE, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), and the Cameroonian branch of ACCI, marks a turning point in how the country approaches economic security. Speaking at the opening of the week-long session, the Director General of the DGRE made a rare public statement: “As an intelligence service in the service of the State, the Directorate General of External Research must be at the forefront of this evolution.
Our traditional role of monitoring and anticipation must now fully integrate a competitive intelligence dimension focused on protecting our nation’s strategic interests.”The training addressed key areas of concern in the global economy, such as targeted disinformation campaigns, covert influence operations, cyber-espionage, unfair competition, and data theft, all of which pose serious risks to national stability. Participants were equipped with tools for strategic monitoring, intelligence production for policymakers, and the creation of a national doctrine for economic defense.
The Involvement of Dr Gweth, one of Africa’s most respected strategic consultants — was a significant boost to the program’s visibility and legitimacy. With over 15 years of experience in geostrategy, economic intelligence, and risk assessment, Dr Gweth has advised institutions ranging from the Ivorian presidency to major banks in Mauritius. Under his leadership, ACCI has trained more than 1,000 senior public and private executives across Africa. “This is about giving Cameroon the tools to defend itself not just militarily or politically, but economically,” said Dr Gweth during the training. “Competitive intelligence is no longer a luxury. It is a necess”ty for any state that wants to be sovereign and successful in today’s world.”
This initiative comes at a time when ACCI is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary on August 3, 2025, highlighting its ongoing influence in shaping strategic thinking across the continent. By investing in local expertise and aligning intelligence work with economic development goals, Cameroon is positioning itself as a regional leader in the emerging field of economic intelligence.The move also aims to redefine public perceptions of intelligence work, portraying it not as a clandestine endeavor but as a visible, vital part of national development and sovereignty.
