In 2025, consumer health in Cameroon recorded notable growth, shaped by shifting health perceptions, tightening economic conditions, and the ongoing influence of digital culture. Everyday remedies such as paracetamol remained staple purchases, while strong demand for children’s cough syrups drove a solid performance within paediatric cough, cold, and allergy, particularly for multi-ingredient formulations.

Retail value sales of digestive remedies rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a mixture of lifestyle, environmental, and systemic health factors. High rates of gastritis, predominantly linked to the widespread prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, are exacerbated by one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world (over 10 litres per capita), a culinary culture rich in spicy and oily foods, and elevated stress levels arising from ongoing economic hardship and political uncertainty

Value sales of wound care products increased in Cameroon in 2025, supported by a rise in import volumes and the emergence of new consumer demand drivers. As the country remains dependent on imports for wound care solutions, import volumes offer a reliable proxy for market activity. Total imports surged from 474 tonnes in 2020 to approximately 937 tonnes in 2025, indicating both improved affordability and expanded availability of these products.

Retail value sales of cough, cold, and allergy (hay fever) remedies in Cameroon rose in 2025, primarily fuelled by strong and sustained demand within the paediatric segment, particularly for children’s cough syrups. Growth was further supported by a modest rise in demand for antihistamines, especially first-generation options such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which are valued for their fast-acting relief within 15–30 minutes. This is a key selling point in a market where fast results are highl

Retail value sales of analgesics grew in Cameroon in 2025, driven by sustained demand across a diverse demographic. Paracetamol remains the most commonly used pain relief medication in the country, primarily used for stress-related headaches, menstrual discomfort, and flu-like symptoms, with a status as a daily-use product. Its popularity spans both formal and informal retail channels, with widely recognised brands such as Doliprane, Efferalgan, Dolimex, and Panadol, alongside an array of generi

In 2025, traditional/herbal products recorded notable growth in Cameroon. This continued expansion is largely driven by urban cosmopolitanism. Cameroon's cities have become increasingly diverse with various ethnic groups, each contributing their unique traditional medical practices. This cultural amalgamation is enriching traditional/herbal products, resulting in a broader and more diverse range of remedies.

Retail value sales of dermatologicals rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by rising cosmetic usage and environmental challenges. A pervasive social media culture has intensified beauty standards, fuelling a surge in cosmetic product consumption. This is particularly the case for skin lightening creams, where usage prevalence is estimated between 26.33% and 46.33%. This trend has directly contributed to increased cases of dermatitis, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Consequently, demand for dermatologic

Retail value sales of dietary supplements in Cameroon increased in 2025. Growth is primarily driven by the need to bridge widespread micronutrient deficiencies and an emerging preventive health culture. The country’s carbohydrate-heavy diet, largely based on staples such as cassava, yams, plantains, cocoyams, corn, and rice, exacerbates nutritional gaps. For example, Vitamin A deficiency affects 18% of pregnant women, while nearly 40% suffer from anaemia, directly fuelling demand for supplements

Retail value sales of paediatric consumer health products rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a combination of demographic, behavioural, and nutritional factors. A key driver of growth is the country’s population structure, with 41.5% of Cameroonians under the age of 15, 29.2% below 10 years, and 15.3% under five. Although the national birth rate is gradually declining, it remains relatively high at 2.6%, ensuring a continued increase in the child population and sustaining baseline demand for pa

Retail value sales of vitamins rose in Cameroon in 2025, driven by a growing shift from curative to preventive health, a trend accelerated by the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public awareness surrounding immunity support, stress management, and energy enhancement has increased markedly, making multivitamins, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B complex the most sought-after products in the category.

In 2025, the weight management and wellbeing recorded strong growth in Cameroon, driven largely by an increasingly appearance-conscious culture heavily shaped by social media. While the formal market remains nascent, the sector is expanding rapidly, anchored primarily in the informal space.

There is expected to be high current value growth in baby food in Cameroon in 2025, with this value growth mainly due to price rises. Volume growth is expected to be more modest, in spite of continuing population growth. Dried baby food outperforms milk formula, both in terms of value and volume growth, with only marginal volume growth for milk formula. Price rises and also a significant increase in breastfeeding rates, supported by public health campaigns, dampen volume sales for milk formula.

Other dairy is expected to register a significant decline in volume sales in Cameroon in 2025, due to a sharp drop in sales of condensed milk, which is expected to drag down the overall performance of other dairy.

Drinking milk is expected to register healthy current value growth in Cameroon in 2025, though volume growth is expected to be more subdued. Powder milk continues to account for most value sales and is Cameroon’s most popular dairy product. Powder milk is a staple and is added to hot drinks, such as malt-based or chocolate drinks like Ovaltine and Matinal. Additionally, its affordability and widespread availability further enhances its appeal. Also, with adequate refrigeration being a major issu

Yoghurt and sour milk products in expected to register both healthy current value and volume growth in 2025 in Cameroon. In fact, yoghurt is expected to register the highest volume growth of all dairy products in 2025. Yoghurt is increasingly seen as a staple and is often consumed at breakfast. In addition, with significant local production, this protects yoghurt to an extent from global volatility. That being said, input cost remains a major challenge, as powder milk is imported and there is l

Cheese in Cameroon in 2025 is expected to register healthy current value growth, though volume growth is only expected to be marginal. Cheese is almost exclusively imported, mainly from the EU. Expatriates, urban professionals and returning diaspora continue to lead consumption, with other Cameroonians showing a strong affinity for traditional spreadable cheese. While hard cheese accounts for most value and volume sales, it is expected to see a significant fall in volume sales in 2025, due to re

Butter and spreads is expected to register both healthy current value and more moderate volume growth in Cameroon in 2025. Value sales continue to be sustained by demand for margarine, which remains one of the most popular spreads, alongside chocolate spreads, due to affordability and widespread availability across local grocers and open markets. Single-serve formats such as CAMFOOD’s 200g pouch and value-added formats like Jadida, Rosa, Blueband, and Camfood’s 1kg and 5kg offerings continue to

Dairy products and alternatives in Cameroon is expected to register modest current value growth in 2025, though volume growth is expected to more muted. Powder milk continues to be Cameroon’s most popular dairy product. It is a staple and is added to hot drinks, such as malt-based or chocolate drinks like Ovaltine and Matinal. Additionally, its affordability and widespread availability further enhances its appeal. However, yoghurt is expected to be the strongest performer in terms of volume grow

There is expected to be a moderate increase in current value sales in plant-based dairy is Cameroon in 2025, though volume sales are expected to fall slightly. A positive for the segment is that local company Camlait has resumed production of its soy-based yoghurt and milk. Following a prolonged five-year production disruption, due to internal conflict between the owner’s sons which led to shutdown of its plants in Bafoussam, Buea, Kribi, and Yaoundé, Camlait's resumption of production should bo

The report examines the economic landscape of Cameroon and provides information on major monetary indicators, foreign trade and government finance. The economy expanded in real terms in 2024, driven by exports, private consumption, government spending and investments. However, a global economic slowdown, rising geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation as well as tight financial conditions pose risks to the country’s economic outlook.

The number of households is set to increase moderately, while the average household size will shrink in Cameroon over 2024-2029. Couples with children will remain the dominant household type but the fastest household expenditure growth is forecast to be recorded by extended ("other") households. In addition, the share of households living in urban areas is projected to expand to 66.3% by 2029.

Insight into income, wealth and expenditure of consumers and households is vital in helping businesses make strategic decisions with regards to which country (or even which region within a country) to enter, which consumer segment to target, which products or services to market, and at which price point. Other factors such as the size and expansion of the middle class and income inequality are also important in helping companies gauge the potential of a country market.

Value growth in Cameroon in 2025 is expected to be driven primarily by unit price increases, amidst sluggish volume growth. Soaring prices of cocoa globally and in Cameroon, due to poor harvests, are feeding into significant price rises in chocolate confectionery and dampening volume sales. Tablets are expected to continue to account for most value sales and to also register the highest current value growth, due to the popularity of the Mambo brand from Chococam. In light of inflation, Chococam

While gum in Cameroon is expected to register current value growth in 2025 with inflation still being an issue, volume growth is expected to be muted. This continuing price sensitivity benefits local brands, which are more affordable, and are widely available, including at roadsides stalls and kiosks. As such, imports of global brands are expected to fall significantly. Chewing gum is expected to gain the most value share, with consumers appreciating the breath freshening properties, as well as