Franchising Trends in Cameroon
Interview with Jude Muluh from MULUH & PARTNERS, Cameroon.
How did you get started as a franchise consultant?
Muluh & Partners is a full service law firm and doubles as intellectual property before the African Intellectual Property Organisation known by its French acronym OAPI. We are a bilingual and bijural law firm where our practice is designed on the English Common Law and the French Civil Law which operates pari passu our municipal laws.
What sort of customers do you have? Who are your clients?
We have clients who are into computer & telecommunications, electronics, dairy products, beverages, restaurants, clothes and footwear, cosmetics etc. Unfortunately, we cannot divulge the identity of our customer’s reasons being that we are bound by a confidentiality agreement with the latter to the effect of non disclosure. Nonetheless we can furnish you with information pertaining to our clientele against developments with the passage of time.
What are the current trends on the franchising market in your country?
Franchising in Cameroon is a virgin terrain which is highly delved into by both local and foreign companies. Cameroon being the gateway into the sub region and member of OAPI has given the latitude to both local and foreign companies to secure their trademarks (service & products) as well as commercial names from any infringement by third parties. Moreover, the Cameroon government has put in place some incentives to wit; Tax exoneration, free trade zone , free transfer of proceeds, national investment support scheme, custom excise benefits in a bid to improve on its GDP.
How many companies in your country offer franchise?
Unfortunately we do not have a central system from which we can have access to the specific numbers.
Which are the best franchises by growth, branch and demand? What makes them different?
As earlier enumerated, the concept of franchising is still at its early stage which most company are still struggling to take advantage of. Nonetheless, electronics/computer products and accessories are gaining more steam as days go by. There is also a predominance of clothes, footwear and cosmetics.
What’s the average start-up investment in money and time for a franchise?
The start-up investment money for a franchise will depend on the nature and type of product to be franchised.
Which branches experience a lack of franchise?
But for the industries mentioned above, other industries are still not noticed.
What’s the profile of people who choose to buy a franchise?
Economic Operators
What should a franchisor know before coming to your country? Any specific requirements, legal restrictions?
It is an emerging economy where citizens are agog with modern communication, super high way and other facilities which have been established thanks to technology. We would be able to give proper legal advice to the franchisor based on the specific nature or product he wishes to franchise.
