The Role of Multinational Corporations in Community Development Initiatives in Cameroon

Abstract

Inadequate provision of infrastructural and social facilities by governments for citizens' use calls for intervention of corporate organizations and individuals to contribute/provide for other people via social obligation. By virtue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), many communities and individuals have been developed to dependable levels. Through it, the general wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities, growth and development are encouraged and promoted while stimulating innovative business. Government multiple taxes, business unfriendly policies, unions' agitations, and scamming by some ill-intentioned citizens are impediments to efficient CSR by multinational companies in Cameroon. Though the rate of participation by business entities in being socially responsible is not encouraging, this chapter singles out a few MNCs that have distinguished themselves by sharing their enormous profits with the communities in which they operate. This chapter uses case studies of three Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs), that is, MTN, Guinness Cameroun SA, and British American Tobacco to ascertain that corporate social responsibility by MNCs has helped to ameliorate living conditions of local communities.