Cameroon’s economy grew by around 3.5% in 2024, supported mainly by domestic demand and steady activity in services, construction and agriculture.
With a population of nearly 28 million - and 60% under the age of 25 - the country offers a growing consumer base and a labour market that is increasingly digital and service oriented.Inflation eased to about 4.5%, contributing to a more stable business environment. Key opportunities for Swiss SMEs lie in infrastructure development, logistics, industrial equipment, financial and ICT services, and selected consumer-goods segments.
However, persistent challenges such as a 23% poverty rate, governance issues and reliance on external financing require solid market preparation, risk mitigation and strong local partnerships.
No
Free Trade Agreement
There is a free trade agreement between Switzerland and this country. Source: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
0.02 0.02 billion
Total trade flows
Total goods traded with Switzerland (imports + exports). Source: UN Comtrade. Data as of 2023.
11.64 11.64 %
3-year GDP growth
Total real GDP growth over the last three years. Source: World Bank. Data as of 2023.
With 60% of Cameroonians under 25, the country’s youthful dynamism is a real asset - helping Swiss companies connect with this energy is often the key to building successful partnerships.
Mehmet Yildirimli
Senior Consultant Africa, Türkiye + IsraelLatest insights
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FAQs
What is the current economic situation?
Cameroon recorded real GDP growth of around 3.5% in 2024, driven mainly by domestic demand, which contributed the bulk of overall growth. By contrast, the external sector weighed on performance due to weaker export dynamics. Economic growth is expected to strengthen moderately, reaching around 3.9% in 2025.
For Swiss exporters, the expanding domestic market presents opportunities, particularly in consumer-oriented and investment-related segments. At the same time, external vulnerabilities and ongoing fiscal pressures require careful market assessment, prudent risk management and well-structured local partnerships.
What are the main export and import trends?
Swiss exports to Cameroon reached roughly CHF 14 million in 2024, dominated by machinery, vehicles, textiles and food products. Imports from Cameroon amounted to around CHF 8 million, mainly agricultural and forestry products. Switzerland maintains a positive trade balance, and there is potential to expand in machinery, equipment and high-value consumer goods as Cameroon modernises its economy and infrastructure.
What opportunities exist for Swiss companies?
Significant opportunities exist in the services sector, which accounts for more than half of Cameroon’s GDP. Growth areas include finance, insurance, ICT and business services. Large infrastructure initiatives - such as the Kribi deep-sea port, highway developments and energy projects - create additional openings for Swiss firms offering logistics solutions, engineering services, construction technologies and industrial equipment.
Which sectors are most promising?
Promising sectors for Swiss exporters include financial services, ICT, hospitality and transport/logistics, reflecting robust growth in the tertiary sector. Infrastructure-related activities in the secondary sector also present opportunities, particularly through major projects such as the expansion of Kribi port and the Douala–Yaoundé transport corridor. These developments support demand for engineering, machinery, digital solutions and supply-chain services.
What are the main challenges and risks?
Swiss exporters should be aware of challenges including corruption, regulatory uncertainty, lengthy administrative procedures and a weak banking system, which can slow transactions and complicate operations. Informal trade and smuggling can distort markets, and overall economic growth is not keeping pace with population expansion. Careful due diligence, strong local partnerships and robust compliance processes are essential.
