Would you like to invest and get back your money’s worth? Well, you are in luck. Here are 3 investment opportunities in Central Africa that you can benefit from. 

The Republic of Cameroon is in the center of sub-Saharan Africa. It has a business economy and is an attractive investment destination. It has significant natural resources, including oil, gas, minerals, and timber. It produces coffee, cotton, cocoa, and maize. Often called “Africa in miniature,” Cameroon has bits of the entire African continent. We took a closer look and found some exciting business opportunities for investors.

Let’s dive right into the lucrative opportunities — 

Article Highlights

• Discovering Cameroon’s Potential to be Every Investor’s #1 Choice.

• Deep Dive into Cameroon’s Prime Investment Areas.

• Analyzing Why Investing in Cameroon is a Smart Move. 

Agribusiness – An Ideal Agricultural Country

Agriculture accounts for 80% of the primary sector’s GDP. It also provides 1/3 of foreign exchange earnings. Cameroon’s agribusiness is growing, thanks to a booming urban market and agriculture sector. However, farmers lack access to the formal market. As a result, they end up selling off their crops on the informal market at a cheap price. They also suffer from a lack of expertise and capital.

Investing in this sector could lead to substantial results, and eliminate this gap. It also leads to food security in Cameroon. Agriculture employs half the workforce in Cameroon. The country imports large quantities of food as commercial farming is not up to par. It has great potential to meet its food needs and improve rural living conditions. Hence, the government also seeks investment in this sector. 

Cocoa Production – Stories of Generations Passed 

Cameroon has an apt climate for growing crops like cocoa, coffee, and timber. There is abundant rainfall all around to support the growth of crops. Cocoa production is crucial to the economy of Cameroon. It is Africa’s 4th biggest grower of quality cocoa. Globally, Cameroon is the world’s fifth-quality cocoa-producing country. Cocoa plantations are inherited from generation to generation. They are valued as significant cultural resources by farmers. Hence farmers preserve their old trees.  

The output levels range from 210,000 to 270,000 beans. Over 500,000 Cameroonians are dependent on cocoa production for their livelihoods. It exports approximately 75% of raw beans, mostly from small farmers in the forest. This offers high gain potential for investors interested in this industry. 

Almost 50–60% of all export earnings came from the sale of cocoa. Cameroon’s rising production of cocoa dominates the global supply chain. The country plays a major role in meeting the demand driven by the worldwide chocolate industry. You can invest in direct farming or partner with local farmers. Or even invest in processing raw beans and then exporting them.

Oil and Gas Business – Huge Potential for Exploration

Cameroon has an oil business like no other country. Oil production in Cameroon raises exports. It is a leading producer of crude oil. Crude oil is a raw natural resource refined into petroleum products. It also has rich deposits of natural gas cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, gold, and diamonds. 

Cameroon is the 6th largest oil producer in Africa and has five sedimentary basins. This opens up opportunities for drilling businesses. The country produces 100,000 barrels of oil a day. Moreover, oil and gas exploration and exploitation have been incentivized.  There is also a recent hike in oil prices on the international market.

Cameroon focuses on upstream and downstream work. Its gas potential went unexploited for many years. There are unexplored oil reserves in the Chad Basin and the Bakassi Peninsula. The extraction of marketable gas in 2021 amounted to 76,712,402 million standard cubic feet. Cameroon has natural gas reserves estimated to be 4.8 billion cubic feet. And much of it is undeveloped to this day. In September 2022, the government mentioned the renewal of the national oil refinery.

From 2020-2030 Cameroon intends to explore its oil fields in the North and Bassaki. The National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) will partner with international firms to do this. They will also work to improve current fields. Thus this also provides investment opportunities.

Cameroon benefits immensely from its oil and gas reserves. 

There have also been talks of a second refinery due to the high level of refined petroleum. A second refinery would represent a significant business opportunity for investors. 

Why Should You Invest In Cameroon? 

According to UNCTAD FDI inflows to Cameroon are low compared to the potential of its economy. It reached USD 889 million in 2021 according to the UN’s World Investment Report 2023. Cameroon’s economy has the potential to become one of the most robust countries. It is among the top countries in Africa to receive FDI. The country’s state-owned companies are looking for capital upgrades and foreign investment.

In Cameroon FDI mainly comes from the European Union. Particularly France and Germany, and targets the mining industry, including oil extraction. China is also a main investor. 

Cameroon has arable land and plenty of natural resources. You can invest in this country with huge untapped potential and gain substantially. It has a growing market full of potential. And presently estimated at more than 500 million consumers. Its extractive industry also has great potential to prosper.

Short Summary

Cameroon is a strategic piece of land in central Africa. It has plenty of natural resources and a favorable climate. It offers investment prospects in sectors like Agriculture, Cocoa, and Oil. It has a growing economy and a promising workforce that you can use to your advantage. Investing in Cameroon ensures high gain. It also helps create jobs, improve living standards, and boost the economy.

Now is the right time to explore and seize the opportunities in Cameroon.