Country investment factsheet · OHADA business law
Legal & tax framework for investment — June 2026 edition
The largest economy in the CEMAC zone and a gateway to Central Africa, Cameroon combines a domestic market of more than 30 million people, a strategic maritime frontage (Kribi deep-sea port) and membership of the unified OHADA legal area. A diversified economy — hydrocarbons, cocoa, timber, agribusiness, energy and infrastructure — it offers investors business law harmonised across 17 states and a currency pegged to the euro. This factsheet summarises the macroeconomic, tax and legal data relevant to an entry decision, with particular focus on the legal securing of the investment.
Cameroon at a glance
Real GDP growth (%) — 2023: 3.2 · 2024: 3.5 · 2025e: 3.7 · 2026p: 4.1.
A harmonised business-law framework
- OHADA — Cameroon applies the uniform business law of the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (17 member states, 9 Uniform Acts: companies, security interests, debt recovery, insolvency, arbitration, etc.).
- CEMAC — a 6-state customs and monetary union (central bank: BEAC), with free movement of goods and a common foreign-exchange regulation.
- SYSCOHADA accounting (revised) — mandatory accounting framework, readable by any investor in the zone.
- Also a member of the African Union, AfCFTA, the WTO, ECCAS, OAPI (intellectual property) and CIMA (insurance).
Common OHADA company forms
| Form | Minimum capital |
|---|---|
| SARL (LLC) | Set freely by the by-laws (often XAF 100,000) |
| SA | XAF 10,000,000 |
| SAS | Set freely by the by-laws |
| Branch | Tied to the foreign company (OHADA time limit) |
Registration with the RCCM; business one-stop shop.
Tax regime — the essentials
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax (CIT) | 33 % | Turnover > XAF 3 bn. 27.5 % for companies with turnover < XAF 3 bn meeting statutory criteria. Rate includes 10 % additional council tax. |
| Minimum tax | 2.2 % / 5.5 % | Of turnover, depending on regime; creditable against CIT and due if higher. |
| Personal income tax (PIT) | 11 % – 38.5 % | Progressive scale. |
| VAT | 19.25 % | Rate inclusive of council tax; exports zero-rated. |
| Withholding taxes | 15 % – 16.5 % | Dividends 16.5 % ; interest on foreign loans 16.5 % ; royalties to non-residents 15 %. |
| Tax treaties | 10 | France, Canada, Tunisia, Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Morocco, UAE + CEMAC convention + mutual administrative assistance + BEPS multilateral instrument (MLI). |
Tax source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cameroon, reviewed 31 December 2025; 2025 Finance Act.
Attractive sectors
- Hydrocarbons & mining — oil, gas, iron ore, bauxite, gold.
- Agribusiness — cocoa, coffee, banana, cotton, rubber.
- Energy — hydropower (Nachtigal dam).
- Forestry & processed timber.
- Infrastructure & logistics — Kribi deep-sea port.
- Digital & telecoms.
Investment incentives
- Law No. 2013/004 of 18 April 2013 (amended by Law No. 2017/015 of 12 July 2017) setting private investment incentives.
- Tax and customs benefits during the installation phase (up to 5 years) and the operating phase (up to 10 years).
- Investment Promotion Agency (API) — approval and support one-stop shop.
Work permits for expatriates
- Residence and work permits issued to expatriate staff on a contract > 2 years.
- Free transfer of salaries to the home country, after settlement of taxes and contributions.
Foreign-exchange regulation
- CEMAC / BEAC framework. Cross-border financial transactions are governed by CEMAC’s common foreign-exchange regulation, administered by the BEAC; capital movements and transfers are regulated, channelled through authorised intermediaries (banks) and subject to declaration.
- Repatriation of dividends and capital. Transferring profits, dividends and disposal proceeds abroad is permitted, but conditional on documenting the flows and settling the taxes due — to be structured and documented from entry.
- Good practice. Funding the investment in foreign currency and keeping a documentary trail of every flow secures the later transfer of funds.
Regulation subject to change — precise terms (thresholds, documents, timelines) to be verified with the BEAC and an authorised intermediary.
Securing the investment — the UGGC angle (OHADA levers)
Beyond the figures, a successful entry rests on command of the legal framework. OHADA membership offers securing tools that few African jurisdictions bring together.
- CCJA arbitration — dispute resolution before the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (Abidjan); awards enforceable across the 17 OHADA states.
- Security interests (Uniform Act) — a full range of guarantees (mortgage, pledge, autonomous guarantee, security agent) to secure financing.
- FX & repatriation — CEMAC exchange regulation: structure the repatriation of dividends and capital upfront.
- Governance & compliance — OHADA company law, SYSCOHADA, early-difficulty prevention (insolvency proceedings).
Our take — the practitioner’s view
The figures don’t tell the whole story. Here are the points we flag to clients before any entry into Cameroon — where on-the-ground experience makes the difference.
Which structure to choose?
For a foreign operator, the trade-off is usually between the SA (codified governance, XAF 10,000,000 capital, access to public savings) and the SAS (statutory flexibility, freedom of governance and capital). The SARL remains suitable for simple projects. In practice, the SAS is often preferred for joint ventures and holding companies, the SA for projects requiring formalised governance or access to public savings; the choice turns on the governance sought, the shareholder base and the exit strategy.
Three traps investors underestimate
- Dividend repatriation (CEMAC FX rules). The zone’s exchange regulation must be anticipated at the structuring stage: fund the investment in foreign currency and document each flow and route it through an authorised intermediary to secure the later transfer of profits.
- Minimum tax. Computed on turnover (2.2% / 5.5%), it is due even where there is no profit and prevails as soon as it exceeds CIT — a line item to model into the business plan for the often loss-making early years.
- Withholding taxes vs tax treaties. A gap may exist between the treaty benefit and how the administration applies it to certain flows (services, royalties). Upfront documentation and structuring secure the position.
From the text to practice
Beyond the text, registration runs through the one-stop shop (RCCM), and regulated sectors — mining, hydrocarbons, energy, telecoms — require specific authorisations to factor into the project timeline. Anticipating these steps and their lead times avoids the most common launch delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum capital to set up a public limited company (SA) in Cameroon?
The minimum capital for a public limited company (SA) is XAF 10,000,000. For the SARL (LLC) and SAS, it is set freely by the by-laws (often XAF 100,000 for the SARL). Registration is with the RCCM through the one-stop shop.
What is the corporate income tax rate in Cameroon?
The CIT rate is 33% (including 10% additional council tax). It is reduced to 27.5% for companies with turnover below XAF 3 billion meeting the statutory criteria.
What is the VAT rate in Cameroon?
VAT is 19.25% (council tax included). Exports are zero-rated.
How can an investment be secured in the OHADA zone in Cameroon?
OHADA offers CCJA arbitration (awards enforceable across the 17 member states), a full range of security interests, an OHADA/SYSCOHADA governance framework, and requires upfront structuring of dividend repatriation under CEMAC foreign-exchange rules.
Does Cameroon apply OHADA law?
Yes. Cameroon applies the uniform business law of OHADA (17 member states, 9 Uniform Acts) and is also part of CEMAC and the revised SYSCOHADA accounting framework.
Considering an entry into Cameroon?
Contact the UGGC Africa team · Download the country factsheet (PDF)
Go further
Series — OHADA country factsheets (all countries)
Legal framework — OHADA business law
Our expertise — Mergers & Acquisitions · Tax · Litigation & Arbitration (CCJA)
Disclaimer. This country factsheet is provided for general information, as of June 2026; it does not constitute legal or tax advice and cannot bind UGGC Africa. Figures are drawn from public sources and are subject to change (notably through annual finance acts). Any investment decision should be the subject of tailored analysis.
Sources: IMF (World Economic Outlook / Cameroon Country Report 2025) · World Bank (Macro Poverty Outlook) · UN / Worldometer (population) · World’s Top Exports (2024 trade) · PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Cameroon (31/12/2025) · UNCTAD Investment Laws Navigator (2013 law) · MINFI / DGI · OHADA (ohada.org) · BEAC · Constitutional Council of Cameroon (2025 results).
Useful links: Investment Promotion Agency (API) · Directorate General of Taxation (impots.cm) · OHADA · BEAC · Business in Cameroon.