Cameroon: economy

What is Cameroon's GDP growth rate?

Cameroon's real GDP grew by an estimated 3.5% in 2025, the same rate as in 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Services grew 4.3%, industry 2.6% and the primary sector 1.8%.

On the demand side, household consumption rose 4.9% while exports of goods and services grew only 1.0% and imports 5.1%, so trade subtracted 0.8 points from growth. The 2026 budget assumes growth of 4.3% in 2026, and the IMF World Economic Outlook projects 3.2%.

Official sources: INS: In 2025 the Cameroonian economy keeps its growth rate at 3.5% · MINFI: Budget 2026, 8,816.4 billion CFA francs · IMF DataMapper: Real GDP growth, Cameroon

What is the inflation rate in Cameroon?

Consumer prices in Cameroon were 3.4% higher in July 2026 than a year earlier, up from 3.0% in June and 2.7% in May, according to the INS. Averaged over the last twelve months, inflation was 2.6%.

The twelve-month average is the measure compared with the CEMAC convergence threshold of 3%, which the INS cites. Food prices rose 7.0% over the year to July, more than twice the overall rate, while core inflation, excluding fresh produce and energy, was 1.5%, according to the July 2026 price note. Inflation for the whole of 2025 was 3.4%.

Official sources: INS: Inflation, prices rise again in July 2026 · INS: Monthly note on consumer prices, July 2026 (PDF) · INS: Inflation in 2025

What is the central bank interest rate in Cameroon?

The BEAC's main policy rate, the rate on its tender operations (TIAO), is 4.50%. The Monetary Policy Committee cut it from 4.75% on 29 June 2026, and lowered the marginal lending rate from 6.25% to 5.75%, according to its decision No. 01/CPM/2026.

The BEAC sets one rate for all six CEMAC countries, so Cameroon has no separate central bank rate. At the same meeting the committee cut reserve requirements, to 6.50% on demand deposits and 4.00% on term deposits, and kept the deposit facility rate at 0.00%. Decisions are listed on the BEAC's monetary policy page.

Official sources: BEAC: Decision No. 01/CPM/2026 setting policy rates (PDF) · BEAC: Monetary policy decisions

Is Cameroon a wealthy country?

Cameroon's GDP per capita was about USD 1,972 in 2025 at current prices, up from about USD 1,830 in 2024, according to the World Bank. The INS's ECAM 5 household survey found that 37.7% of people were poor in 2022.

GDP per capita divides output, converted to dollars at market exchange rates, by a population of about 29.9 million. The CFA franc is pegged to the euro, so the dollar figure also moves with the euro. It is an average and does not show how income is shared between regions or households.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Cameroon · INS: ECAM 5 main indicators

What is Cameroon's economic growth rate?

3.2%: that is real GDP growth in Cameroon for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was 5.7% in 2014 and the low 0.3% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.6%; Cameroon is 31st highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 90th of 180.

How rich is Cameroon per person?

$1,972: that is GDP per person in Cameroon for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $1,351, and Cameroon placed 19th highest of 46. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 148th highest.

What is Cameroon's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Cameroon was $5,788 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $4,425 in international dollars. World rank, highest first: 145th of 179.

How much does Cameroon export?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Cameroon at 13.1% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 26.1% of GDP; Cameroon is 34th highest of 38. Of 133 countries with 2025 data, 125th highest.

What is Cameroon's current account balance?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in Cameroon was -3.3% of GDP in 2024, which is a deficit. Since 2005 it has ranged from -4.3% of GDP (2019) to 1.2% of GDP (2007). Sub-Saharan Africa median: -4.2% of GDP; Cameroon is 14th highest of 36. Of 162 countries with 2024 data, 104th highest.

How much foreign investment does Cameroon receive?

1.0% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Cameroon for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 2.7% of GDP in 2009 and the low 0.1% of GDP in 2008. It is 39th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 130th of 179.