Country exposure · CM
Cameroon
Africa · Yaounde · presidential republic
What Cameroon means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$287M
U.S. imports, 2025
+16.3%
change in one year
$169M
U.S. exports, 2025
32M
Population
$51.3B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that Cameroon makes
America bought $287M in goods from Cameroon in 2025 — up 16.3% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Bakery products
$154M53.6%
Crude oil
$69M24.1%
Lumber
lumber for homebuilding
$23M8%
Tobacco, waxes, etc.
$15M5.2%
Plywood and veneers
$14M4.9%
Natural rubber
natural rubber for tires
$4M1.3%
U.s. goods returned, and reimports
$3M0.9%
Minimum value shipments
$793K0.3%
Fruits, frozen juices
fruit and frozen juices
$500K0.2%
Industrial supplies, other
$451K0.2%
2026 so far (through April): $176M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to Cameroon
$169M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Plastic materials
$20Mplastics for packaging and goods
Tobacco, manufactured
$15MCivilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts
$12MPassenger cars, new and used
$10Mnew and used cars
Petroleum products, other
$9MCommercial vessels, other
$7MSports apparel and gear
$6Mcamping gear and outdoor apparel
Drilling & oilfield equipment
$5MTrucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles
$5Mtrucks, buses, SUVs
Where you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward Cameroon
Cameroon was assigned 11% in April 2025, raised to 15% in August, disrupting its main U.S. exports — cocoa paste, sawn timber, and natural rubber — and cutting export revenues even as volumes rose (oil, also a major export, is exempt under the energy carve-out). A November 2025 order exempting certain agricultural products the U.S. cannot produce domestically eased the burden on its cocoa. Cameroon was ineligible for AGOA in 2025 over human-rights concerns. Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions, Feb 20, 2026) terminated the IEEPA reciprocal duties, and Proclamation 11012 replaced it with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge effective February 24, 2026. Cameroon has no Section 232 steel/aluminum exposure.
Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)
11%
The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
U.S. tariff policy toward Cameroon has changed 5 times since 2025. This page tracks it.
2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing Cameroon's 15% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days).
91 FR 9437 →2025-11-13
Certain agricultural products exempted — eases cocoa
EndedExecutive Order 14360 modified the scope of the reciprocal tariffs to exempt certain agricultural products the U.S. cannot produce domestically, easing the burden on Cameroon's cocoa exports.
Federal Register · 2025-21203 →2025-08-07
Rate set at 15% — no deal reached
In effectExecutive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; Cameroon's rate was set at 15% effective August 7, 2025 with no bilateral agreement, cutting cocoa, timber, and rubber export revenues even as shipment volumes rose.
90 FR 37963 →2025-04-10
Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days
In effectExecutive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including Cameroon's 11% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days.
90 FR 15625 →2025-04-05
Reciprocal tariff regime begins — Cameroon assigned 11%
In effectExecutive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and an 11% country-specific rate for Cameroon scheduled to take effect April 9, hitting cocoa paste, timber, and rubber while oil fell under the energy carve-out.
90 FR 15041 →
Made for America
What Cameroon makes for America
Cameroon is a direct U.S. source of 1 essential good Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
Go deeper
The supply chain view
Cameroon sits upstream of 4 essential American goods through 4 tracked inputs.
agricultural
7%Tonewood (Rosewood/Ebony/Spruce/Maple)
agricultural
7%Cocoa Beans
agricultural
5%Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao)
agricultural
2%Green Coffee Beans — Robusta
Reference
The country itself
Africa · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
Powerful chiefdoms ruled much of the area of present-day Cameroon before it became a German colony known as Kamerun in 1884. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the UK as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year, the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Nonetheless, unrest and violence in the country's two western, English-speaking regions have persisted since 2016. Movement toward democratic reform is slow, and political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
Geography
- Location
- Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
- Area
- 475,440 sq km
- Climate
- varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
- Terrain
- diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
- Natural resources
- petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
- Coastline
- 402 km
- Natural hazards
- volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in the Oku volcanic field sometimes release fatal levels of gas, which killed about 1,700 people in 1986
People & society
- Population
- 31,518,954 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Cameroonian(s)
- Ethnic groups
- Bamileke-Bamu 22.2%, Biu-Mandara 16.4%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 13.5%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 13.1%, Grassfields 9.9%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 4.6%, Southwestern Bantu 4.3%, Kako/Meka 2.3%, foreign/other ethnic group 3.8% (2022 est.)
- Languages
- 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 33.1%, Muslim 30.6%, Protestant 27.1% other Christian 6.1%, animist 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 1.2% (2022 est.)
- Median age
- 19.4 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 64.2 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 72.6% (2018 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- largest CEMAC economy with many natural resources; recent political instability and terrorism reducing economic output; systemic corruption; poor property rights enforcement; increasing poverty in northern regions
- Industries
- petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
- Agricultural products
- cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, maize, taro, tomatoes, sorghum, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables (2023)
- Exports - partners
- Netherlands 21%, France 14%, UAE 13%, India 9%, China 8% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- China 43%, France 6%, India 6%, Belgium 4%, UAE 4% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Yaounde
- Independence
- 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
- Constitution
- several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996
- Executive branch
- President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
- Legislative branch
- Parlement - Parliament
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
Powerful chiefdoms ruled much of the area of present-day Cameroon before it became a German colony known as Kamerun in 1884. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the UK as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year, the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Nonetheless, unrest and violence in the country's two western, English-speaking regions have persisted since 2016. Movement toward democratic reform is slow, and political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
[237] 22220 1500; US Embassy in Yaoundé, Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé, Cameroon; https://cm.usembassy.gov/; YaoundeACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
237
Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Cameroon is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Currency (Code)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
24 major African language groups, English, French
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 38.3%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 6.9%, Muslim 24.4%, animist 2.2%
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Yaounde; Limbe; Douala; Waza National Park; Bamenda; Foumban Palace; Lake Nyos
Major Sports
Soccer, tennis, boxing, basketball, cycling
Cultural Practices
Government officials are regularly referred to as "excellency" instead of by surname.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping $2-5 (USD) per service rendered is considered acceptable for porters and waiters; $8-15 (USD) per person per day is considered normal for guides and safari drivers.
Souvenirs
Pottery, carved wooden tribal masks and animal sculptures, native beadwork dresses, woven mats and rugs, jewelry, tree sap paintings, spices
Traditional Cuisine
Ndolé — stewed nuts, ndoleh (bitter leaves), and fish, beef, or shrimp traditionally eaten with plantains or bobolo (fermented ground manioc or cassava wrapped in leaves)
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Geography
Location
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates
6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area - total
475,440 sq km
Area - land
472,710 sq km
Area - water
2,730 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than California; about four times the size of Pennsylvania
Land boundaries - total
5,018 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Central African Republic 901 km; Chad 1,116 km; Republic of the Congo 494 km; Equatorial Guinea 183 km; Gabon 349 km; Nigeria 1975 km
Coastline
402 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Climate
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation - highest point
Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m
Elevation - lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
667 m
Natural resources
petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
Land use - agricultural land
20.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
41% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
38.1% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
290 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km) - fresh water lake(s)
Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Chad) - 10,360-25,900 sq km note - area varies by season and year to year
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
Congo (3,730,881 sq km), Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Internal (endorheic basin) drainage
Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major aquifers
Lake Chad Basin
Population distribution
population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards
volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in the Oku volcanic field sometimes release fatal levels of gas, which killed about 1,700 people in 1986
Geography - note
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
People and Society
Population - total
31,518,954 (2025 est.)
Population - male
15,683,611
Population - female
15,835,343
Nationality - noun
Cameroonian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Cameroonian
Ethnic groups
Bamileke-Bamu 22.2%, Biu-Mandara 16.4%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 13.5%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 13.1%, Grassfields 9.9%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 4.6%, Southwestern Bantu 4.3%, Kako/Meka 2.3%, foreign/other ethnic group 3.8% (2022 est.)
Languages - Languages
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
Languages - major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
Religions
Roman Catholic 33.1%, Muslim 30.6%, Protestant 27.1% other Christian 6.1%, animist 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 1.2% (2022 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
41.5% (male 6,477,438/female 6,364,987)
Age structure - 15-64 years
55.3% (male 8,488,522/female 8,638,519)
Age structure - 65 years and over
3.2% (2024 est.) (male 463,628/female 533,011)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
77.6 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
71.8 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
5.8 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
17.3 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
19.4 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
18.6 years
Median age - female
19.2 years
Population growth rate
2.37% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
30.79 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization - urban population
59.3% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
4.509 million YAOUNDE (capital), 4.063 million Douala (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.02 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.98 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.87 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.1 years (2018 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
258 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
44.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
50.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
41.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
64.2 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
62.3 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
66.1 years
Total fertility rate
3.87 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.91 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 81.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 52.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 69.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 18.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 47.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 30.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
3.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 83.2% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 27.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 60.2% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 16.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 72.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 39.8% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
11.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
4.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
2.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
1.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
5% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
9.2% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
0.9% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
11% (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
58.1% (2018 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
10.7% (2018)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
29.8% (2018)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
2.9% (2018)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.8% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy - total population
72.6% (2018 est.)
Literacy - male
79.7% (2018 est.)
Literacy - female
66.2% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
11 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
12 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
10 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of Cameroon
Country name - conventional short form
Cameroon
Country name - local long form
République du Cameroun (French)/Republic of Cameroon (English)
Country name - local short form
Cameroun/Cameroon
Country name - former
Kamerun, French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon
Country name - etymology
in the 16th century, Portuguese explorers named an estuary near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; the name Camaroes evolved into "Cameroon"
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
Yaounde
Capital - geographic coordinates
3 52 N, 11 31 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
Germans founded the city in 1888, but the name comes from the native Ewondo people; the meaning of the name is unclear
Administrative divisions
10 regions ( régions , singular - région ); Adamaoua, Centre, East (Est), Far North (Extrême-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West (Sud-Ouest)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Constitution - history
several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; amendment drafts require approval of at least one third of the membership in either house of Parliament; passage requires absolute majority vote of the Parliament membership; passage of drafts requested by the president for a second reading in Parliament requires two-thirds majority vote of its membership; the president can opt to submit drafts to a referendum, in which case passage requires a simple majority; constitutional articles on Cameroon’s unity and territorial integrity and its democratic principles cannot be amended
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Joseph NGUTE (since 4 January 2019)
Executive branch - cabinet
Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president
Executive branch - most recent election date
12 October 2025
Executive branch - election results
2025- Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 53.7%, Issa Tchiroma BAKARY (CNSF) 35.2%, Cabral LIBII (PCRN) 3.4%, Bello Boubou MAIGARI (UNDP)2.4%, other 5.3% 2018: Paul BIYA reelected president; percent of vote - Paul BIYA (CPDM) 71.3%, Maurice KAMTO (MRC) 14.2%, Cabral LIBII (Univers) 6.3%, other 8.2% (2018)
Executive branch - expected date of next election
October 2032
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parlement - Parliament
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale - National Assembly)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
180 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
3/12/2023
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC/CPDM) (152); Other (28)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
33.9%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
February 2026
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Senate (Sénat - Senate)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
100 (70 indirectly elected; 30 appointed)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
2/9/2020 to 3/22/2020
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
33%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
March 2027
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon, a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly; judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for renewable 6-year terms
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrates' courts
Political parties
Alliance for Democracy and Development Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM Cameroon People's Party or CPP Cameroon Renaissance Movement or MRC Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation or PCRN Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon or FSNC Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP Progressive Movement or MP Social Democratic Front or SDF Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC Union of Socialist Movements
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Henri ETOUNDI ESSOMBA (since 27 June 2016)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 265-8790
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 387-3826
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
mail@cameroonembassyusa Cameroon Embassy in Washington DC, USA (cameroonembassyusa.org)
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Christopher J. LAMORA (since 21 March 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
2520 Yaounde Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[237] 22251-4000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[237] 22251-4000, Ext. 4531
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US - branch office(s)
Douala
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
Flag
description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), red, and yellow, with a small five-pointed yellow star centered in the red band meaning: red stands for unity; yellow for the sun, happiness, and the northern savannahs; green for hope and the southern forests; the star is called the "star of unity;" the vertical tricolor design is similar to the French flag history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
National symbol(s)
lion
National color(s)
green, red, yellow
National anthem(s) - title
"O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancêtres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1957; lyrics were changed slightly to the current version in 1978
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
3 (two natural and one cultural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Dja Faunal Reserve (n); Sangha Trinational Forest (n); Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (c)
Economy
Economic overview
largest CEMAC economy with many natural resources; recent political instability and terrorism reducing economic output; systemic corruption; poor property rights enforcement; increasing poverty in northern regions
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$143.264 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$138.191 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$133.843 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$4,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$4,900 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$4,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$51.327 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
4.5% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
7.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
6.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
17.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
25.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
49.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
74.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
10.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
21.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
14.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-21.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
cassava, plantains, oil palm fruit, maize, taro, tomatoes, sorghum, sugarcane, bananas, vegetables (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
Industrial production growth rate
1.9% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
11.119 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
3.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
3.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
3.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
6.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
5.9% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
6.7% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
42.2 (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
45.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
2.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.1% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
31.1% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$6.385 billion (2021 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$7.624 billion (2021 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2016
32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
11.3% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$2.019 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$1.505 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2021
-$1.794 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2023
$8.353 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$8.641 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$7.447 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Netherlands 21%, France 14%, UAE 13%, India 9%, China 8% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, cocoa beans, wood (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$10.294 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$9.759 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$9.025 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 43%, France 6%, India 6%, Belgium 4%, UAE 4% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
garments, refined petroleum, plastic products, wheat, rice (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$4.882 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$5.133 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$4.3 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$11.112 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
71% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
94%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
25%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
1.798 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
6.161 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
60 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
2.238 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
36.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
63.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
300 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
64,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
41,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
200 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
2.356 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
534.691 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - exports
1.821 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
135.071 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
4.271 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
67,500 (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2024 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
31.5 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
108 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), with both TV and radio broadcasts, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until 2007, when the government issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operate under “administrative tolerance,” meaning the stations could be subject to closure at any time (2023)
Internet country code
.cm
Internet users - percent of population
42% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
603,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
2 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TJ
Airports
37 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Railways - total
987 km (2014)
Railways - narrow gauge
987 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
Railways - note
note: railway connections generally efficient but limited; rail lines connect major cities of Douala, Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Garoua; passenger and freight service provided by CAMRAIL
Merchant marine - total
198 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 2, general cargo 91, oil tanker 42, other 63
Ports - total ports
7 (2024)
Ports - large
0
Ports - medium
1
Ports - small
0
Ports - very small
5
Ports - size unknown
1
Ports - ports with oil terminals
5
Ports - key ports
Douala, Ebome Marine Terminal, Kole Oil Terminal, Kome Kribi 1 Marine Terminal, Kribi Deep Sea Port, Limboh Terminal, Moudi Marine Terminal
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army, Cameroon Navy (includes naval infantry or fusiliers marin), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Firefighting Corps General Delegation for National Security (Délégation Générale à la Sûreté Nationale or DGSN): Cameroon Police (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note 1: the Army includes the Rapid Intervention Brigade (Brigade d’Intervention Rapide or BIR), which maintains its own command and control structure and reports directly to the Chief of Defense staff and the Presidency; the BIR includes airborne/airmobile, amphibious, armored reconnaissance, artillery, and counterterrorism forces, as well as support elements, such as intelligence note 2: the Cameroon Police and the National Gendarmerie are responsible for internal security; the Gendarmerie conducts administrative, criminal, and military investigative functions; other missions include customs, air and maritime surveillance, and road traffic control; in times of conflict, it participates in internal defense
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 40-50,000 active FAC, including the Gendarmerie (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FAC inventory is comprised of armaments from a variety of countries, including China, Israel, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, the US, and some Western European countries, particularly France (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-23 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (18-28 for medical services); no conscription; service obligation 4 years (2025)
Military deployments
750 (plus about 400 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military deployments - note
note: Cameroon has committed approximately 2,000-2,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations occur occasionally
Military - note
the Cameroon Armed Forces (FAC) are responsible for defending the country's territorial integrity, providing humanitarian assistance, supporting regional peacekeeping operations, and contributing to internal security; key areas of focus are the threat from the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa along its frontiers with Nigeria and Chad (Far North region) and, since 2016, an insurgency from armed Anglophone separatist groups in the North-West and South-West regions; in addition, the FAC often deploys ground units to the border region with the Central African Republic to counter intrusions from armed militias and bandits; the Navy’s missions include protecting Cameroon’s oil installations, combatting crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and patrolling the country’s lakes and rivers; the FAC's small Air Force supports both the ground and naval forces (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa
Terrorist group(s) - note
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
443,740 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
1,058,405 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; poaching; overfishing; overhunting
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Land use - agricultural land
20.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 13.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 3.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
41% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
38.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
59.3% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
3.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
6.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
200 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
5.658 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
1.049 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
62 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
293.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
278.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
166.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
24 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
3.271 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
4.6% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
246.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
104.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
737 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
283.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)