Does your business really belong to you alone?

Credits / source: Original filming and editing: the teams identified by their logos in the closing credits, including Starlight. Editorial direction and creation of the GKtv edition, motion design, illustrations and additional postproduction: Agence MALIKA / Malika Studio.

Dr Gabriel Koueni discusses succession, generational transition and continuity in African family businesses.

Hello. Today, our series on the continuity of family businesses explores an important question: the founder’s matrimonial property regime, a key issue in business succession. When discussing succession, we must return to the beginning. Very often, the business began with a couple. At first, the founder and his wife had very little. They built it together, and shared ownership of their assets seemed natural. But 30 or 40 years later, the business has grown, assets have accumulated and the children have grown up. They have received an education. One question then becomes essential: under which matrimonial property regime is the founder married? Because the business does not always belong solely to the father. Some assets may also legally involve both spouses. I am assessing the situation from a succession perspective. Lawyers, notaries and qualified professionals can explain the implications of each individual situation. But as a researcher, I draw one simple lesson: succession does not begin at death. It must be prepared well beforehand. Understanding your matrimonial regime, organising your assets and clarifying everyone’s rights already helps protect the future of the business. A matrimonial property regime can be an invisible contract. But when the time comes to hand over, it can become decisive.