The Cameroon-Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) cooperation and socio-economic developments in the Adamawa Region, 1999-2022

Abstract

This study examines the socio-economic contributions of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) in the Adamawa Region. It focuses on Cameroon’s adhesion to the IsDBG and the background to the Adamawa Region, the IsDBG’s development projects in the region, notwithstanding their socio-economic impact. Also, it further outlines some of the challenges faced in this cooperation and proposes some solutions. Looking at the methodology used, we opted for the qualitative and interdisciplinary methods in order to smoothly assess both the primary and secondary sources. For primary data, we carefully made use of archives and oral sources. For the secondary sources, it was necessary to use intellectual works: books, articles, theses, dissertations and magazines that gave general and specific information on our study. The study reveals that the IsDBG is a financial institution of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (O.I.C.), where Cameroon belong among 57 other member countries. After examining the background of the Adamawa Region, we realised that the Region faced socio-economic problems, reason why IsDBG activities were extended to the region. The bank financed many socio-economic development projects from 1999 to 2022 and these projects significantly enhanced the socio-economic development of the area. However, these projects faced some challenges related to institutional and structural issues. It was in this light that we proposed some solutions to both the bank and the Cameroon government so as to achieve the objectives for which the cooperation was established.