Gabriel Koueni in Cameroon Business Today

Prepare succession before a crisis

The front-page feature explores what happens to family businesses when their founder dies. On page 17, Dr Gabriel Koueni shares insights from his research in Cameroon.

The interview distinguishes current business success from the ability to operate without the founder. Concentrated decision-making, insufficient succession planning and confusion between an heir and a successor can undermine continuity. The impact extends beyond the family to jobs, skills and business partners.

Through GOPLAN, Dr Koueni proposes clarifying responsibilities, preparing skills and the handover, and anticipating risks. He highlights the value of involving several advisory professions and refers to the gathering of founders, successors and stakeholders held on 14 October in Douala.

Editorial summary of the interview. Only the front page and the interview section of page 17 are shown; the advertisement has been cropped out. The full newspaper is not distributed. Original documents are in French; the quotation is translated.