BUSINESS MANAGEMENT : Camwater breathes a wind of recovery under the leadership of Blaise Moussa

(LVDE) – Over the past three years, the new Managing Director has worked tirelessly to turn around a struggling company. Through bold reforms and proactive management, Dr. Blaise Moussa has gradually restored trust, improved access to drinking water, and transformed the company’s operational landscape.

September 30, 2025, marked the third anniversary of Dr. Blaise Moussa’s appointment as Managing Director of Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (Camwater). When he took office, the company was in crisis—financially unstable, with demotivated staff and abandoned projects. Moussa inherited what seemed to be an insurmountable challenge. Yet, three years later, his record is promising and points toward a brighter future.

A former Secretary-General of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), Blaise Moussa was appointed to head Camwater during an extraordinary board meeting. Despite his relatively young age, he accepted the difficult task of leading a company plagued by recurring staff unrest and allegations of financial mismanagement. Public discontent over Camwater’s inability to deliver potable water was threatening to spiral into a full-blown social crisis. At the time of his arrival, water supply coverage stood at barely 42% in urban and peri-urban areas — an unacceptable situation for a public utility.

Blaise Moussa’s first move was to listen to his staff, fostering dialogue and rebuilding morale. He also traded the suit and tie for field visits, personally inspecting facilities to understand the real causes of water shortages. This hands-on approach helped uncover fraud and inefficiencies in water management, both internally and among external service providers. He modernized the revenue management system, significantly reducing the risk of embezzlement.

The financial results speak for themselves. During the December 2024 Board of Directors meeting, the external auditor’s report for the 2023 fiscal year showed a loss of 5.36 billion CFA francs, a notable improvement from the previous year—even though Moussa had managed operations only during the final quarter. The implementation of the Five-Year Priority Investment Program (PPQI 2023–2027) and the Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2026–2030) received high praise during the 56th ordinary board session in September 2025.

The absence of labor unrest among staff also reflects the positive atmosphere established under Moussa’s leadership. His innovative initiative to create WhatsApp forums for real-time customer feedback has strengthened engagement and responsiveness. In just three years, potable water network coverage has risen to around 70%, reaching 82% in urban areas and 52% in rural zones. This progress stems from extensive infrastructure repairs, network extensions, and the construction of new boreholes.

Ongoing projects such as the National Drinking Water Supply Program (PAEP) across Cameroon’s ten regions, and the PAEPYS project in Yaoundé, have further improved access to clean water. At the same time, anti-fraud measures and better working conditions—such as the provision of new vehicles for technical teams—have boosted operational efficiency.

Dr. Blaise Moussa’s efforts have earned recognition from the Platform of Consumer Associations for the Protection of Cameroon’s Socio-Economic Interests (PAIES), which commended the positive impact of his reforms on the population. Several other projects are underway to sustain Camwater’s improvement in line with the goals set by President Paul Biya.

In summary, Blaise Moussa’s tenure at the helm of Camwater stands as a remarkable example of proactive leadership in a challenging environment. His approach—anchored in listening, innovation, and transparency—has successfully revived a struggling public utility while addressing citizens’ essential need for drinking water. Though challenges remain, the initial results are encouraging and signal a promising future for Camwater.

Esther Grace