The new MINMAP circular N°000014/C/MINMAP/CAB of July 23, 2025, is a major step forward for national SMEs. It aims to facilitate their access to public contracts by offering more flexible guarantee options than the traditional bank bond.

Alternative Guarantees to the Classic Bond

The circular recognizes that national SMEs with national capital and managers can replace the bid bond, final bond, or performance bond with other forms of guarantees. These alternatives, if expressly provided for in the tender documents, include:

• The certified cheque: A cheque issued by the SME whose amount is blocked by the bank for the duration of its validity.
• The banker's draft: A cheque issued directly by the bank at the request of the SME, thereby guaranteeing payment.
• The legal mortgage: The allocation of a company's real estate as security for its obligations.
• The surety from an approved banking or financial institution: The bank or financial institution acts as a surety for the company.
• The personal and joint and several suretyship: A company director pledges their personal assets to guarantee the performance of the contract.

Simplified Deposit and Conservation Procedure

The deposit procedure for these alternative guarantees is simplified. For a cheque, for example, it is made out to the CDEC, and a copy is attached to the bidder's offer, accompanied by the consignment receipt issued by the CDEC. The CDEC is then responsible for the conservation of the original documents.

These provisions are designed to ease the financial and administrative constraints that often weigh on SMEs, thereby encouraging their active participation in the public procurement system in Cameroon. This is excellent news for the development of local businesses.