Invest in Cameroon

Unlock limitless opportunities in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

The Gateway to AFRICA

Cameroon is widely recognized as the gateway to Central Africa and one of the continent’s most promising destinations for agricultural and agro-industrial investment.

Cameroon has targeted industrialization in its national strategy and is developing industrial zones (notably the Kribi SEZ / port industrial zone) to attract manufacturing FDI.

The government has recently adjusted investment incentives and ties benefits to job creation / local content — so favorable incentives exist but are increasingly conditional.

Power and transport infrastructure remain a constraint (historical energy shortages) but international financing and projects are underway to improve roads, ports and power access — this is a critical context for manufacturing site selection.

WHY INVEST IN CAMEROON

STRATEGIC LOCATION & MARKET ACCESS

Cameroon is strategically located between West and Central Africa and as such giving access to over 350 million consumers in Central and West Africa through CEMAC and ECOWAS.
Atlantic ports (Douala & Kribi) serve as regional trade hubs, connecting Africa to Europe, Asia, and North America.
Member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), opening opportunities for duty-free trade across Africa.

VAST AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL

Over 7 million hectares of arable land, with less than one-third currently cultivated.
Diverse agro-ecological zones suitable for cash crops (cocoa, coffee, palm oil) and staples (cassava, maize, rice, soybeans).
Year-round production capacity thanks to favorable climate and rainfall.

GROWING DOMESTIC DEMAND

A population of 30+ million with a rapidly urbanizing middle class.
Rising demand for processed and packaged foods, agritech solutions, and sustainable supply chains.

UNTAPPED AGRO - PROCESSING SECTOR

Currently, most raw produce is exported unprocessed, leaving major opportunities in:

Cocoa/chocolate transformation.
Rice and cassava milling.
Palm oil refining and by-products.
Value-added packaged foods for regional and international markets.

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES & SUPPORT

Attractive tax exemptions and customs duty relief for agro-industrial investors.
Agropoles (agro-industrial zones) with infrastructure support for large-scale projects.
Policies promoting mechanization, climate-smart agriculture, and export diversification.

STABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

A bilingual (English & French) business environment.
Strong road, rail, and port infrastructure compared to many regional peers.
Expanding energy and digital infrastructure to support agro-industrial growth.

ECONOMIC REFORMS

Investment Charter & Special Zones: Tax holidays, VAT exemptions on equipment, customs duty reductions for sectors like energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Free trade zones offer additional benefits.
2025 Fiscal Reforms:
- 50% reduction in import duties on animal feed supplements.
- Full exemption on agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
- Tax reductions for electric vehicles and priority infrastructure machinery.
- Simplified customs procedures to expedite public infrastructure essentials.
Macroeconomic Stability: Through a $835 million IMF-backed program, Cameroon reduced its budget deficit to a projected 0.2%, improving fiscal discipline and investor confidence .

400k+ Satisfied Customers

INVESTMENT INCENTIVES

A. Investment Code (Law No. 2013/004)

Enacted in April 2013, this code treats foreign investors equally with domestic ones, sets no minimum capital threshold, and grants tax, customs, financial, and administrative incentives during both installation and operation phases .
To qualify, investors must meet eligibility criteria such as employing local staff, exporting a portion of output, using local inputs, and contributing to value addition. Approval from relevant government bodies is required .

B. Installation and Operational Tax Incentives

Under the private investment regime:
- Installation phase: Up to 5 years of tax and customs exemption.
- Operational phase: Up to 10 years, depending on project scope and sector .
Additional breaks during these phases include exemptions from VAT, customs duties, business licensing fees, and accelerated depreciation.

C. Free Zones / Industrial Free Trade Zones (IFZs)

Companies operating in industrial free zones are granted:
- Customs and tax exemption for up to 10 years, then a flat 15% profit tax rate.
- Freedom from import/export licenses, quotas, and price regulation. These zones also facilitate foreign exchange and profit repatriation.

D. Special Development Project Regime

For major projects in agriculture, tourism, social housing, or industrial development:
- Exemptions from business licenses for two years.
- Reduced real estate registration costs.
- VAT exemptions on materials.
- Accelerated depreciation and extended deficit carry-forward periods.

E. Recent 2025 Decree and Reform

On July 18, 2025, a presidential decree updated the investment incentives framework by reinforcing local impact requirements:
- Projects must create jobs and use local raw materials—meeting at least two of five eligibility criteria, including one job per CFA 50 million invested.
- Tiered exemptions based on investment value, with operational phase tax holidays extended to 7 years in economic zones.

RISK MITIGATION & INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

The Cameroon Investment Promotion Agency (API) serves as a one-stop shop, helping with business registration, permits, land acquisition, and investor support .

Cameroon is also a member of ATIDI, which provides political risk insurance and trade/credit insurance—helping investors manage risk in emerging markets .

A compelling mix of growth sectors—especially mining, energy, infrastructure, agro-industry, digital technology, and tourism—backed by a robust incentive framework designed to attract and protect foreign capital. The recent 2025 reforms underscore a growing emphasis on creating local economic impact through employment and material sourcing.