Cameroon

Republic of Cameroon

French, English Central African CFA (XAF) Mixed: French civil law, English common law
AU, ECCAS, CEMAC, AfCFTA, Commonwealth, WTO
Cameroon is Central Africa's largest economy and the region's most diversified, often called "Africa in miniature" for its geographic, cultural, and economic diversity. The economy spans oil production, agriculture (cocoa, coffee, bananas, cotton), forestry, and a growing services sector.

The country is the economic anchor of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and benefits from both Francophone and Anglophone business cultures. The deep-water port of Douala serves as the primary trade gateway for landlocked Chad and Central African Republic.

Challenges include Anglophone-region instability, Boko Haram-related security concerns in the Far North, aging infrastructure, and governance issues. The government's National Development Strategy 2020-2030 targets industrialization and structural transformation.

Snapshot

Population~29.9 MWorld Bank WDI
GDP (current USD)$60.6 BIMF WEO
GDP per Capita$1,660IMF WEO
GDP Growth4.20%IMF WEO
Inflation (y/y)~5.30%Central Bank / IMF
Policy Rate (BEAC TIAO rate)5.00%Central Bank
Unemployment3.60%ILO / National Stats
Internet Use~36.00%World Bank WDI
Electrification~65.00%World Bank WDI
CPI Score (Rank)26.0/100 (#142)Transparency Intl
HDI (Rank)0.587 (#151)UNDP HDR
MarketDouala Stock Exchange (DSX)

Focus Sectors

Oil & Gas
Agriculture (cocoa
coffee
banana)
Timber
Mining
Telecoms
Agro-processing
Construction
Transport
Financial Services
Manufacturing

Regulations & Taxes

Corporate Income Tax33% (including surcharges)
VAT / Sales Tax19.25% standard
Data Notes: Population, GDP, and GDP per capita are latest IMF WEO / World Bank estimates. Inflation is year-over-year. Trade data from UN Comtrade/OEC (2023). Tax rates from PwC/KPMG country guides. CPI from Transparency International. HDI from UNDP Human Development Report.
Narrative last updated: April 8, 2026.