Oil Revenue Management: Cameroon’s Experience

Abstract Cameroon’s growth performance and development outcomes have not hit the level expected from its oil wealth and abundant resources endowments. This chapter first reviews the theory and practice of oil revenue management in the context of developing countries. It then highlights many political economy factors to explain why Cameroon has not harnessed its natural resources, especially oil, for sustained growth and shared prosperity. The chapter underscores that if Cameroon has ever suffered or is suffering from any ‘curse’, it should be referred to as ‘institutional curse’. Most importantly, the chapter asserts that accountability to the people of Cameroon, not donors, is momentous to transparency and good governance.