Continuity starts with preparation
What happens to a business when its founder dies or decides to hand over? In this interview, Dr Gabriel Koueni discusses the fragility of organisations whose decisions, relationships and knowledge depend on a single person. Starting a business and preparing its continuity are different challenges.
Succession involves more than transferring assets. It also concerns the company’s history, values, skills and responsibilities. The next generation needs preparation, and children do not necessarily have to take over management: other paths to continuity are possible.
GOPLAN brings together governance to clarify roles and rules, planning to prepare succession, and anticipation to identify risks. Dr Koueni describes it as a contribution to be tested in practice and adapted to African family businesses.
Internal governance alone cannot overcome every obstacle. Legal security, access to finance and a predictable business environment also matter. Founders, families, advisers and institutions each have a part to play.
The Douala gatherings of 8 and 14 October 2026 are a starting point. The interview outlines gradual support combining diagnosis, expert networks and practical tools to turn awareness into concrete preparation for continuity.
Editorial summary of the interview published by Le Jour. The original newspaper pages below are in French. The quotation is translated from French.
The original publication
Source : Le Jour, n° 4750, 27 octobre 2026, p. 8.