Camerun: Visió econòmica i política
Cameroon is open to international trade, being a member of the Commonwealth, the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and having signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The ratio of trade to GDP is around 41% (World Bank, latest data available). Its main export commodities are crude oil (43.5% of total exports in 2022), liquefied natural gas (18.1%), and cocoa (9.1%). Mineral products accounted for 26.8% of total import expenditures, of which 21.4% was composed of fuels and lubricants, and 2.8% for clinker. Agricultural products represented 12.4% of imports, followed by machinery and electrical appliances (10.6% - data INS).
During the year 2022, the five main clients of Cameroon accounted for 62% of the country's total exports, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). These countries are the Netherlands (26.8%), India (14.2%), France (9.9%), Spain (8.5%), and Italy (6%). As per imports, the main suppliers were China (15.8%), India (10.8%), France (8.2%), the Netherlands (3.6%), and South Korea (3.5%).
Cameroon's trade balance is structurally negative. According to WTO data, in 2022 Cameroon imported USD 7.8 billion worth of goods against USD 5.9 billion for exports. Service exports generated USD 1.8 billion while service imports amounted to USD 2.7 billion. The country’s trade balance was estimated to be in deficit by 2.7% of its GDP in 2022 (World Bank).
Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 6,583 | 5,521 | 6,981 | 7,874 | 9,000 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 4,084 | 3,132 | 4,317 | 5,584 | 4,400 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 2,823 | 2,117 | 2,452 | 2,542 | 0 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 2,205 | 1,709 | 1,582 | 1,717 | 0 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 40.6 | 43.4 | 33.7 | 37.1 | 39.9 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -533 | -737 | -679 | -524 | n/a |
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -1,121 | -1,355 | -1,088 | -1,579 | n/a |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 8.5 | 11.4 | -17.1 | 13.8 | -3.7 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 2.1 | 11.2 | -14.4 | 3.4 | 3.0 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 21.9 | 23.5 | 18.5 | 20.4 | 20.5 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 18.7 | 19.9 | 15.2 | 16.7 | 19.4 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | -4.3 | 12.4 | 17.1 | 11.5 | 3.8 |
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 5.1 | 7.5 | 7.3 | 5.6 | 6.9 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
It should also be noted that Cameroon also has trade agreements with countries such as Tunisia, Nigeria and China.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2021 |
China | 25.9% |
Netherlands | 12.4% |
India | 9.7% |
Italy | 7.2% |
Spain | 6.1% |
See More Countries | 38.8% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2021 |
China | 17.0% |
France | 9.0% |
India | 7.2% |
Russia | 6.8% |
Belgium | 3.8% |
See More Countries | 56.1% |
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
1.4 bn USD of services exported in 2021 | |
35.12% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 23.23% |
OtherOther | 30.03% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 11.89% |
34.84% | |
13.60% | |
4.00% | |
3.85% | |
3.62% | |
2.44% | |
1.20% | |
1.20% | |
0.13% |
2.5 bn USD of services imported in 2021 | |
43.60% | |
28.61% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 19.69% |
OtherOther | 27.78% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 8.92% |
15.23% | |
5.05% | |
4.29% | |
1.03% | |
0.90% | |
0.52% | |
0.50% | |
0.27% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Actualitzacions: April 2024