Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze speaking to the press
By Brian Mboh
The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze has saluted the Customs department’s engagement in securing Cameroon’s economy.
The finance boss made the declaration, on Wednesday, January 19, 2026, in Bafoussam, as part of activities marking the 73rd International Customs Day.
This was in the presence of administrative, municipal, elite, traditional and religious authorities. And the population of the West Region.
Celebrated every January 26, the 2026 edition unfolded, under the theme: “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment”.
Speaking during the ceremony Minister Louis Paul Motaze said customs administration protects the society in the health domain, by preventing counterfeit pharmaceutical products, food stuffs unsafe for consumption, endangered cosmetics and toxic products from entering the country.
He said customs, fight against the circulation of toxic chemicals, importation of ozone depleting products and illegal trade in protected species of Cameroon’s fauna and flora.
He said the customs plays a key role in protecting the economy against unacceptable practices, such as smuggling and counterfeit. The customs department also collaborate with other security forces in combatting ammunition trafficking, and participates in the fight against money laundering and terrorist finance. He said, the customs defend the interest of domestic products, preserving the integrity of economic goods.
MINFI boss calls for more vigilance
Louis Paul Motaze acknowledged the efforts of customs officers, during the 2025 post electoral period, in some parts of the country.
He was satisfied with the improvement of the situation, as without the situation, the customs will be unable to meet its target of 1,200 billion FCFA for 2016, in the over 8,000 billion FCFA state budget.
The Minister told them to stay focused, calling on the population to be collaborative, with the customs services. By systematically reporting cases of smuggling and trafficking of contra-band goods by calling the toll-free number 8044.
Custom officers at match past
Customs DG uses event to call for more commitment from staff
On his part, the Director General of Customs, used the event to call for more commitment from his staff. He said the event’s theme is a call for officers to live up to expectations of citizens and intensify the fight against all threats.
He praised the records of the West Customs Sector, headed by Sadou Oumarou.
He added that, the sector has since 2020, recorded impressive revenue collection performance from 49.1 million FCFA in 2020 to 913.8 million FCFA in 2025.
Fongod Edwin hailed consistency and regularity, commitment and resilience of customs officers, which could be seen in the fight against fraud and counterfeiting, faced with the increase in organised criminal network.
