Includes historical data for Cameroon’s Gross Domestic Product growth, debt-to-GDP ratio and more, as well as information on trade, banking and financial sector leadership.
Strategic Location And Political Stability Produce Economic Benefits
A lower-middle-income country with a population of about 30 million, Cameroon is the largest economy in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Its competitive advantage is underpinned by the French-English bilingualism of its citizens, the relative stability of its political institutions, and a diversified economy. Furthermore, its strategic location on the Atlantic coast serves as a gateway to landlocked countries in the Central African region.
Cameroon’s current National Development Strategy (NDS30) aims to boost public-private partnerships and spur job growth. The country offers immense investment potential in infrastructure, agriculture, banking and digital technologies, alongside its status as a major producer of crude oil, natural gas, cobalt, iron ore, gold and diamonds.
However, Cameroon faces several challenges. The entrepreneurial environment is hampered by inefficient and opaque bureaucratic processes and inadequate infrastructure. High inequality and extreme poverty rates further complicate development efforts. Additionally, the primarily English-speaking northwest and southwest regions have become the battleground for clashes between government forces and guerrilla insurgents vying for independence.
Macroeconomy & Sovereign Data
Type of Government | Presidential republic |
---|---|
Capital | Yaounde |
Sovereign Ratings |
S&P: B– Moody’s: Caa1 Fitch: B |
Total Population | 29.3 million |
Median Age | 17.8 |
Adult Per Capita Income (PPP) | 8,899.27 |
Total GDP (2023) | 53.2 billion |
Cameroon GDP & Economic Overview
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Cameroon
Banking & Finance
Trade & Investment
Total Exports | USD 9.6 billion (2023) |
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Leading Exports |
Crude Petroleum Natural Gas Cocoa Beans Lumber Gold Bananas |
Total Imports | USD 8.0 billion (2022) |
Leading Imports |
Crude Petroleum Scrap Vessels Rice Special Purpose Ships Packaged Medicines |
Source: | World Integrated Trade Solution |
Cameroon Leading Companies
Afriland First Bank | Financials |
---|---|
National Financial Credit Bank | Financials |
Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production |
Eneo Cameroon | Utilities |
Camtel | Telecommunication Services |
Sabc | Consumer Staples, Beverages |
Camair Co | Airlines |
Major Trade Partners — Import
China | 18% |
---|---|
France | 8% |
Nigeria | 6% |
Netherlands | 5% |
Thailand | 4% |
Source: World Integrated Trade Solution
Major Trade Partners — Export
China | 25% |
---|---|
Italy | 14% |
Netherlands | 10% |
France | 7% |
Spain | 6% |
Source: World Integrated Trade Solution
Global Finance Rankings & Awards
Data Sources:
UN World Population Prospects
World Inequality Report
S&P Global Ratings
Moody’s
Fitch Ratings
IMF Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS)
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
CIA The World Factbook
World Bank’s World Integrated Trade Solution
Forbes Global 2000