About Cameroon

Cameroon, a lower middle-income country with a population exceeding 27.2 million (2021), presents a promising landscape for international trade and investment. located along the Atlantic Ocean, Cameroon shares its borders with the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. Cameroon is bilingual, with English and French as official languages. The nation is endowed with abundant human and natural resources, including a youthful and dynamic population, substantial reserves of oil and gas, various mineral deposits, prized timber species, and a diverse array of agricultural products such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, maize, and cassava. These resources offer significant opportunities for businesses spanning multiple sectors. Cameroon’s strategic geographic location within the Central African region grants it access to neighboring markets, rendering it an appealing hub for trade and investment endeavors.

Geographic location and size

Cameroon is situated in Central Africa, bordered by Nigeria to the west and northwest, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. It covers an area of approximately 475,442 square kilometers (183,569 square miles), making it the 53rd largest country in the world .

Population

As of 2021, Cameroon’s population has surpassed 27.2 million people, predominantly youthful, with a substantial portion under the age of 25.The population of Cameroon is characterized by a rich diversity of ethnic groups grouped into four main cultural areas: the Sudanese-Sahelian region, the Grass fields, the coastal zone, and the Fang-Beti zone. The country boasts a multitude of languages spoken across its territory

Regions

Cameroon is divided into 10 regions: Adamawa, Centre, East, Far North, Littoral, North, Northwest, South, Southwest, and West. Each region has its own unique cultural, geographical, and economic characteristics.

Infrastructure

Cameroon’s infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, airports, and seaports. Major cities such as Douala and Yaoundé are well-connected by road and rail, serving as key transportation hubs. The country also has several international airports, including Douala International Airport and Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport, facilitating both domestic and international travel. Seaports such as the Port of Douala play a crucial role in facilitating maritime trade.

Economy

Cameroon’s economy is diverse, with key sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, services and hydrocarbons. Agriculture remains a significant contributor to the economy, employing a large portion of the population and producing crops such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, maize, and cassava. The country also has substantial mineral resources, including oil, gas, bauxite, iron ore, and gold. The services sector, particularly telecommunications and banking, has experienced significant growth in recent years.

AGRICULTURE

Cameroon has over 7.2 million hectares of arable lands and a climate favorable to a wide variety of crops. Cultivable land represents 26% (1.8 million hectares) of arable land. Agriculture is the mainstay of Cameroon’s economy, engaging an estimated 70% of the economically active population and accounting for an estimated 17% to the country’s GDP. It is mainly carried out by cooperatives and family farms. They produce tubers (cassava, cocoyam, potatoes, potatoes), cereals (corn, peanuts, sorghum, etc.), market garden products, and fruits. Alongside these, a second category of players is made up of agro-industries (subsidiaries of large international groups in particular) which are very often specialized in the production of products intended for export (banana, pepper, rubber, oil palm, cotton, cocoa, etc.). Despite its strong potential, Cameroonian agriculture remains poorly mechanized. In addition, security conditions, as well as climatic conditions, have negatively impacted production volumes over the last few years. There is a significant deficit in production with respect to demand. Despite its significant potential, agriculture in Cameroon encounters numerous challenges, which ultimately hinder the country’s ability to adequately meet its growing food requirements. However, opportunities exist in the supply of vegetable seeds, in support of local seed production. The opportunities for UK companies in this sector include.

1. equipment supply

1. education and training

1. food processing and manufacturing

1. haulage, storage, and waste recycling

1. poultry and fish farming

1. commercial mechanised farm

TOURISM

Leisure tourism is developing very slowly around memorial stays and massive seasonal returns of dual nationals and the Cameroonian diaspora. However, the country’s potential is remarkable and remains underexploited due to the lack of site development and the absence of access infrastructure. (beaches in the Englishspeaking regions and wildlife parks located in the far north of the country in particular).

% GDP	3%
Number of tourism agencies	250
Number of leisure establishment	300
Number of Sites	120
Number of tourism	800,000
Number of hotels	1003
Tourism Infrastructures	18152 rooms 446 apartments 494 restaurants

1. In the Centre region, the National museum in downtown Yaoundé; and the Ottomo forest reserve in Ngoumou

1. In the East region the Dja natural reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; pygmy camps.

1. In the northern region, the hippopotamuses of the River Bénoué; the National Park of Mozogo Gokoro in Kozathe National Park of Waza in the Far-north covering a surface area of about 170 000 ha ; the Mount Rhumsiki.

1. In the littoral region the Mount Manengouba ; Lake Ossa ; Lake male of Manengouba ; Ekom Nkam waterfalls (80 m) and its equatorial forest where traditional ceremonies are performed.

1. In the North-West region Mount Oku, Lake Oku

1. In the West region, the Sultanate of Foumban, the Dschang Climate Centre; the Mami Wata waterfalls in Dschang; the Moakeu waterfalls, near Bafang ; the Mifi waterfalls ; and the Baba waterfalls in Bangoulap, the TAGIDOR in Bangou

1. In the South, the, sea town of Kribi and its beaches, the river Lobé where, where a trip can be taken in a traditional pirogue and whose luxuriant banks are home to Pygmies; the waterfall of Lobé river.

BANKS

Area	Quantity
Number of Banks	19
Density of Banking	13 branches / 100,000 inhabitants
Number of branches	350
Number of ATM	805
Number of accounts	2.8 million

HEALTH

The Cameroonian health system is structured around a public healthcare offering which represents 77% of reception and hospitalization capacities, with around 2,700 health structures, including 2,475 first contact establishments. In addition to the ordinary health facilities found in most towns and cities, Cameroon has three (3) General Hospitals in Yaoundé, Douala and Garoua. Referral Hospitals, one (1) in each of the other regions, whose technical facilities offer a wide range of services to users

Transport

RoadWays	Sea ways	Air ways	Rail ways
90% of domestic passengers	4 sea ports	1.06 international passengers	1.7 million tones of goods
5825km f target roads		35.8 thousand flights	1.2 million of passengers
0.02 vehicles per inhabitants		51% international flights	33 railway stations

RETAIL

The Cameroonian Government has put in place measures to promote 'made in Cameroon' products through showrooms and business store units. Moreover, local products are available in various commercial establishments, mostly provision stores in 2020, ACTIS (UK private equity firm) invested $100 million to develop the Douala Grand Mall (DGM), currently the largest retail space in Central Africa. The infrastructure, which has an occupancy rate of 63% in mid-2022, accommodates major brand stores, cinemas, restaurants, etc.