Want to start a small profitable business? Wait no more because we have the perfect opportunities for you here. 

Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is situated in the west Central region of Africa. The country is often called “Africa in miniature“. Why you ask? Because it is a very diverse country. It is diverse in terms of language, geography, and culture. It has a business economy and is the breadbasket of Africa due to its strategic location. Cameroon is filled with enormous natural resources and you would be surprised to know that there is a whole lot more to explore.

Cameroon has plenty of opportunities when it comes to small business or investment opportunities. There are many ideas you can pick from. Ideas like Tea production, livestock farming, and food production business. They are not only small businesses that require low investments, but also ones that provide a high yield. We curated some of the best ideas to invest in. 

We researched so you don’t have to. And if you are interested to learn about more areas that you can invest in, click here to read another of our relevant articles on this topic.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what we have collected —

Article Highlights

• Small businesses that can generate the most profit in Cameroon.

• Why investing in small businesses is a good idea. 

• In-depth analysis of  Livestock Farming and Tea Production. 

Livestock Farming Business: Low Maintenance and High yields

Poultry Farming:

At the very beginning, we have poultry farming. Poultry farming is one of the most lucrative businesses in Cameroon. It gives high yields. The poultry sector is important in Cameroon, with a market share of 42% of domestic meat production. This sector accounts for 4 % of Cameroon’s GDP. And plays a vital role in both food security and employment. The government aims to increase the productivity of the poultry sector given the high demand. And plans to do so by introducing measures to advance the entire value chain.

Chicken is a preferred household item during festivities in Cameroon. Cameroonians love chicken delicacies. Poultry farming is a good option for a small but profitable business. A plot of about 100m by 50m is all it takes to run a poultry farm. A plot of this size in town is favorable as they are close to the market. How much capital do you need? With about 100 chicks, 370000 FCFA is all you need to start a poultry business in Cameroon. FCFA is the Franc of the Financial Community of Africa. How Profitable is Poultry Farming in Cameroon? In two months, you will probably get your invested amount back.

Goat Farming:

You can also consider goat farming as a worthwhile option. Goat farming is a very profitable business and does not require extra effort. One big advantage is that to raise goats one does not need to buy feed. So this saves you from excess costs. You can take the goats to a forage and let them graze. They grow without requiring much effort. Goat farming for these reasons is very productive.

Goats are low-maintenance and adaptable. Goat farming does not require much investment or land compared to larger animals. You can sell their milk, meat, cheese, butter, and hides for profit. They are fantastic animals that can help create jobs for farmers. Goats are tough and hardy animals. They can survive harsh climates where other crops have a tough time. They can also thrive during food and water shortages and in varied temperatures. Along with bringing profits, Goats can contribute to farmers’ other sources of food and income. This is because their manure can be used to fertilize crops.

Goats’ milk provides essential nutrients and energy required by growing children. And this helps tackle food insecurity in Cameroon. Through investing in or running a goat farm you get high profits. But you can also help the community and farmers who often struggle to make ends meet in Cameroon. Goats also have a short reproductive period (5 months). This short period aids in rapid recovery after droughts. This frequent breeding also allows farmers to sell the offsprings and raise income.

Invest in goat farming to transform rural lives in Cameroon.

Moreover, the World Bank has approved $100 for Cameroon. Specifically to boost livestock productivity and competitiveness over 6 years. The livestock development project aims to handle 4 components. The first is that it will improve key livestock services for producers. The next is to boost productivity and marketing in this sector. This will benefit the poor households in the pastoral community. This project also aims to foster business links in livestock. The last is to look after the implementation and evaluation of all these. They also plan on conducting essential studies to do all of it. 

Tea Production: Profitable and Expanding

Over the past few decades, tea has become the second most consumed beverage after water. Why? Because tea has rich antioxidants, caffeine, and protection for aging cells. Cameroon is widely known as one of the largest tea producers in the world.

The tea market in Cameroon is anticipated to grow positively at a CAGR of 8.6% during the period 2022-2028. The government is eager to meet the demands of the local and export markets with significant tea production. Tea production in Cameroon has risen from 1110 tons to 5631 tons in the period 1971- 2020. The Ndawara Tea Estate is the largest in Cameroon. It has around 5000 ha of cultivated plantation. In Menua division, located in the west region of Cameroon, tea cultivation is the main agricultural activity, producing over 80% of Cameroon’s tea.

In 2022, Cameroon exported $282k in Tea. This makes it the 104th largest tea exporter in the world. The destinations of its tea exports are the Central African Republic ($243k), France ($33.5k), Canada ($3.08k), South Africa ($1.24k), and Belgium ($448). China, Kenya, and Sri Lanka are the main export competitors of Cameroon tea. 

Source: Tea in Cameroon | The Observatory of Economic Complexity

Tea growing is a very lucrative business. It can grow for over one century. All you need is to harvest tea at least twice a week. Cameroon has the perfect climate and resources for tea growing.

Why should you invest in small businesses in Cameroon?

To answer this let’s dig a little deeper. In most economies, small businesses are regarded as vectors of job and wealth creation. Investing in these businesses can help produce a variety of goods. Small businesses create value in society. They also help in advancement of an economy through improved productivity and job creation.

In Cameroon, small businesses play a vital role in growth. Small businesses account for about 90% of the economy. Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics stated this. With a contribution of 34% to the GDP. The government is also taking steps to improve the country’s business. This makes investment fruitful. Overall, Cameroon is a good market for investors who want to invest. It also guarantees high gain. So you can not only receive high profits but also create jobs and improve food security for millions. With such untapped markets, now is the right time to invest in Cameroon and reap your rewards.

Small businesses make a significant contribution to the growth of an economy. Investing in or running them raises employment as well. These are both easy to launch and oversee. 

Conclusion

Small businesses make a significant contribution to the growth of an economy. Investing in or running them raises employment as well. These are both easy to launch and oversee. There are diverse options from poultry to goat farming to tea production. Growing markets and government support ensure that these ventures are profitable and sustainable. Invest now and help transform communities and the lives of people in Cameroon. 

Invest in Cameroon’s thriving and dynamic market and reap your rewards now!