From 26 to 28 November 2025, the Cameroon Debt Recovery Corporation (DRC) took part in the 12th General Assembly of the Inter-Agency Network for Asset Recovery in West Africa (ARINWA), held in Dakar, Senegal.
Represented by Mr Yannick Valentin ZOBO, Acting Regional Director in Douala, the DRC responded to the invitation from Mr Mor NDIAYE, President of ARINWA and Director General of the National Office for the Recovery of Criminal Assets in Senegal.
This event, chaired by the Senegalese Ministry of Justice, brought together 47 representatives from Member States, regional networks and international organisations such as UNODC, GIZ and the SecFin Africa programme.
A clear objective for DRC: structuring its international deployment
With a billfold comprising numerous debtors whose assets are found abroad, the DRC’s international expansion is no longer an option, but an operational and strategic imperative.
DRC’s participation in this strategic meeting therefore serves a major objective: to position itself within regional and international asset recovery networks in order to improve the traceability, location and recovery of assets belonging to convicted debtors located outside Cameroon.
ARINWA’s presence at this General Assembly is part of the dynamic initiated by DRC: strengthening cooperation, anticipating the establishment of the forthcoming ARINCA network for Central Africa, and preparing for the allocation of broader powers in the management of seized, frozen or confiscated criminal assets.
Highlights: cooperation, innovations and international standards
The General Assembly proceedings were rich in discussion and learning. Among the points discussed :
- ARINWA’s annual activity report ;
- presentation of Member States’ innovations in terms of confiscation, online sales, unsealing, and allocation of assets ;
- the growing importance of informal cooperation in accelerating the flow of sensitive information ;
- the best practices set out in the FATF Asset Recovery Guide published on 4 November 2025, in particular equivalent confiscation, rapid protective measures and improved financial investigations ;
- presentations by guest networks (CARIN, ARINSA, ARINCA, MENA-ARIN, RRAG), highlighting the diversity and maturity of international asset recovery mechanisms.
The discussions also highlighted the central role of inter-agency networks in countering the cross-border movement of criminal products and improving coordination between national authorities.
The added value of the DRC’s participation
The DRC’s participation in this 12th General Assembly brings several immediate and strategic benefits.
1. Enhanced regional recognition and integration
DRC has formally expressed its intention to join ARINWA as an observer. This request, which was favorably received, and paves the way for its integration into the international information exchange networks.
2. Better access to cross-border information
Membership in inter-agency networks would give DRC faster access to financial, asset and judicial data on debtors located abroad — that is a major challenge to for its effectiveness.
3. Active preparation for the forthcoming Central African network (ARINCA)
DRC is called upon to play a key role in establishing ARINCA, ensuring compliance with international standards and better regional coordination.
4. Support for national legislative reform
The work highlighted the need for the DRC to obtain exclusive jurisdiction over the management of seized, confiscated or frozen assets, as well as the adoption of modern mechanisms (confiscation without conviction, by equivalence, before judgment).
5. Acces to operational innovation
DRC has benefit from other the experiences of other countries :
- online sale of confiscated assets ;
- systematic removal of seals ;
- national coordination platforms.