Franck Hertz, son of First Lady Chantal Biya, discreetly moves within Cameroonian power circles, raising questions about his potential role in the succession of Paul Biya. Although he does not hold any official position as advisor, minister, or diplomat, his presence alongside the president during official trips, such as the one to Moscow in July 2023, and his influence in major state contracts fuel speculation.
Born in 1987 from a relationship between Chantal Pulchérie Vigouroux and Louis Hertz, a Franco-Cameroonian businessman, Franck Hertz grew up in a wealthy family in Yaoundé. After an MBA in logistics obtained in Paris, and experiences at TotalEnergies and SNH, he founded in 2011 H.LOG, an international logistics company of which he is still the chairman of the board. His company has secured major public contracts, notably for the 2022 AFCON and the Nachtigal dam. In May 2025, he joined the boards of directors of Tradex Equatorial Guinea and Tradex DRC.
His name is associated with large-scale projects such as the 2022 AFCON, the Nachtigal dam, and the Kribi and Douala ports. In 2022, a burglary at his home in Bastos revealed the extent of his wealth, with nearly 8 billion FCFA stolen, leading to an investigation by the Presidential Security Directorate.
In power circles in Yaoundé, Franck Hertz is seen as "the eyes and ears of the First Lady". With persistent rumors of a constitutional reform and a possible vice-presidency, his discreet but influential profile is positioned in the debate on the potential succession of Paul Biya, alongside other contenders such as Franck Biya, son of the Head of State. Paul Biya, 93 years old and in power since 1982, was re-elected for an eighth term in October 2025, but the question of his succession remains a central topic in Cameroon.
