Foreign investment in Cameroon spans several sectors like oil & gas, mining, agriculture, telecommunications, infrastructure, and energy. Here’s an overview of the key foreign investors and countries active in Cameroon’s economy:
Major Countries Investing in Cameroon
Country
Key Sectors
Notes
France
Energy, infrastructure, banking, logistics
Historical ties; companies like TotalEnergies, Bolloré, Société Générale, Orange
China
Infrastructure, mining, energy, telecom
Huge projects via Chinese state-owned companies (roads, hydroelectric dams, stadiums)
USA
Oil & gas, agriculture, health, telecom
ExxonMobil (until 2022), support via USAID, and companies in ICT
Malaysia
Agriculture (Palm oil)
Malaysian firms like Sime Darby involved in large palm plantations
Turkey
Construction, trade, education
Turkish companies involved in construction and increasing presence
South Korea
Technology, education, energy
KOICA-funded projects and Samsung partnerships
India
Pharmaceuticals, ICT, agriculture
Strong trade ties and health/tech sector support
Belgium & Netherlands
Logistics, cocoa/coffee export
Trade-focused investment and supply chains
Morocco
Banking, insurance
Attijariwafa Bank, Saham Insurance, and others expanding in CEMAC region
Key Foreign Companies & Projects
Company
Country
Sector
Presence/Activity
TotalEnergies
France
Oil & gas
Major oil distributor; one of the largest fuel station networks
Orange Cameroon
France
Telecom
One of the top telecom operators
MTN Cameroon
South Africa
Telecom
Largest mobile network operator in Cameroon
Bolloré Africa Logistics
France
Ports, logistics
Operates Douala Port (was under scrutiny for monopoly)
Sinohydro, CHEC, CRCC
China
Construction
Built roads, stadiums, hydro dams (Lom Pangar, Memve’ele)
Dangote Group
Nigeria
Cement
Built a major cement plant in Douala
Swissport
Switzerland
Aviation services
Present in Douala and Yaoundé airports
Ecobank & UBA
Togo/Nigeria
Banking
Pan-African banking presence
Sectors Attracting Foreign Investment
Oil & Gas – Offshore exploration, LNG projects, downstream activities
Infrastructure – Roads, ports, bridges, stadiums, public buildings
Mining – Bauxite, iron ore, gold, cobalt (Kribi and East regions)
Telecommunications & ICT – Fast-growing mobile and internet sectors
Agribusiness – Cocoa, palm oil, rubber, coffee, banana production
Renewable Energy – Solar and hydroelectric (via international aid and private firms)
Investment Challenges (What investors consider)
Bureaucracy & red tape
Infrastructure gaps (especially in rural areas)
Security concerns in the Far North and Anglophone regions
