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

Sweet confectionery continued to be Cameroon’s most popular snack and is expected to register both healthy current value and volume growth in 2025. A very robust, competitive local sector that has affordable offerings, that are often sold in single units of XAF25-50 per unit, continues to support value sales. In addition, a young population, with 40% below 15 years of ago, also drives sales, with offerings often promoted in schools. There are also regular product launches, which keeps consumers

While savoury snacks are expected to register the highest current value and volume growth across all snacks in Cameroon in 2025, it still remains underdeveloped, with value sales being relatively low. This is mainly explained by the traditional preference for sweeter and more indulgence-oriented snacks among local consumers. For this reason, only three product areas, that is puffed snacks, savoury biscuits and potato chips, register measurable sales. Puffed snacks accounts for most volume terms.

Sweet biscuits, snacks bars and fruit snacks is expected to register healthy current value and moderate volume growth in Cameroon in 2025. However, inflation is still an issue, with prices for cocoa in particular increasing, and volume sales are mainly driven by price. Companies have resorted to shrinkflation, Parle, OK Foods and Naya Foods are now offering a pack of three biscuits for XAF25, as opposed to four biscuits. Biscuterie Samuel Foyou also increased the price of its Amore brand by 10%

Snacks in Cameroon is expected to register modest current value and volume growth in 2025. Inflation is expected to rise slightly in 2024, and with continuing rising costs, consumers remain price sensitive. Companies are also taking action to cope with rising costs, such as reformulating products or reducing sizes. Companies also resort to shrinkflation. For instance, Parle, OK Foods and Naya Foods are now offering a pack of three biscuits for XAF25, as opposed to four biscuits. Falocam also f

Ice cream is expected to register healthy current value and moderate volume growth in Cameroon in 2025. While informal sales of cheaper unpackaged varieties by roadside vendors still account for a large share of total consumption. formal sales are expected to make a comeback, as price pressures on milk and eggs ease. Falocam, the leading local player, continues to expand its Falcao Ice Primo range, with newcomers Les Muggies de Yvi and La Coopérative Mary Bio also entering the ice cream segment.

Depilatories saw small positive value sales in Cameroon in 2024, with volume in a negative slump, albeit slightly less steep than seen in 2023. Unlike in Western markets, where beauty standards emphasise extensive hair removal, Cameroonian women feel less societal pressure to remove body hair beyond areas like the underarms and bikini line, as no one really puts emphasis on this. Additionally, the melanin skin tone makes hair less revealing. As a consequence, demand for depilatories is limited t

Hair care achieved small positive value sales in Cameroon in 2024, with volume in a marginal slump, which is still an improvement on the previous year. Hair care faces both opportunities and challenges in Cameroon, due to the rise of wig culture and associated hair care needs. For example, styling agents is the best performing category, with shampoos also seeing healthy growth, while conditioners and relaxants are faring less well. The wig culture has revolutionised the Cameroonian hair care mar

Skin care saw healthy value growth in Cameroon in 2024, with volume sales lower. The category is facing both opportunities and challenges, with skin care an increasingly important part of Cameroonian consumers’ personal care routines, while also facing challenges from counterfeit products.

Bath and shower maintained positive sales in Cameroon in 2024, driven by a preference for products which offer functional benefits beyond fragrance and cleansing alone, such as alleviating rashes and eczema, promoting skin rejuvenation, radiance, and incorporating herbal infusions. The increasing reliance of water from drilled bore holes as a replacement for the almost non-existent tap water supply in the country, has significantly increased the prevalence skin conditions from rash to eczema. In

Fragrances achieved small positive growth in Cameroon in 2024, heralding an improvement compared to the recent review period, and driven by mass fragrances. On the other hand, premium fragrances remains in a decline. The rise in bootleg and counterfeit fragrances has significantly impacted sales of premium fragrances, with global brands like Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, and Yves Saint Laurent available in markets like Marché Central and Mboppi for as low as USD33 per 100ml, while brands like Valentin

Deodorants enjoyed positive sales in Cameroon in 2024, due to the requirement of such products considering the country’s hot and intense tropical climate. This heightens perspiration levels and, in turn, the need for effective perspiration and odour management, thus supporting sales of antiperspirants, in particular. This demand has triggered nascent local production of deodorants, such as seen with Balnéo (Les Laboratoires Biopharma SA), although Cameroonian consumers continue to mainly rely on

Men’s grooming achieved low positive growth in value terms in Cameroon in 2024, with volume also positive, albeit lower than value but still up compared to the previous year. Men’s shaving is the largest and best performing category, while men’s mass fragrances also contribute to growth. In Cameroon, the traditional belief is for men to prioritise financial success over appearance, leading to minimal interest in men’s grooming beyond basic needs of shaving, moisturising, and fragrances. This cul

Beauty and personal care saw steady volume growth in Cameroon in 2024, with value growth higher and also showing a stable performance. Key drivers to sales across beauty and personal care include rising demand for beauty products with organic and functional ingredients, such as charcoal, moringa (moringa oleifera, also known as the “tree of life” or “miracle tree,” classified as an important herbal plant due to its medicinal and non-medicinal benefits) and aloe for bar soap, snail slime in skin

Oral care saw robust value growth in Cameroon in 2024, with volume also in low positive growth, albeit with the latter down on the previous two years. This dynamic is attributed to the rise in prices of toothpaste, as manufacturers took it upon themselves to hike unit prices, despite costs at manufacturers remaining steady. For example, as seen from leading player Colgate-Palmolive Co with its flagship Colgate brand, which increased its herbal variant price from XAF1,100 to XAF1,500 (per 175g).

Positive sales of baby and child-specific products were driven by affordability and age-specific priorities in Cameroon in 2024. Local players cater to price-sensitive consumers, offering affordable options, while premium options are more popular for newborns and infants under two years of age.

Colour cosmetics achieved healthy value growth in Cameroon in 2024, with volume also achieving low volume growth in an improvement from the flat volume sales seen in 2023. Sales in colour cosmetics are being driven by an evolving e-commerce sector bringing Westernised brands to the doorsteps of Cameroonian consumers, alongside a burgeoning makeup culture in the country which is heavily influenced by social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Beauty influencers on these platf

Premium beauty and personal care saw positive value growth in Cameroon in 2024, at a slightly improved rate than seen in 2023, and despite local consumer price sensitivity. This performance is primarily being driven by premium baby and child-specific products (notably for younger infants under the age of two years old), body care, some bath and shower, and hair care products. Trends include a growing demand for organic skin care and bath products, especially those made with local organic ingredi

Mass beauty and personal care saw positive sales in Cameroon in 2024, driven by high price sensitivity in the country which has been exacerbated by rising energy costs and food prices, reinforced the demand for affordable mass brands.

Retail volume sales of cigarettes declined in Cameroon during 2024, albeit at a significantly slower pace than in the previous year. The decline was driven by a myriad of factors, including unit price rises, falling import volumes, and a growing illicit cigarette trade. Most cigarette brands rose in price from XAF25–33 per stick to XAF50 per stick, while the illicit trade grew to account for more than a third of total volume sales for the first time, partly as a result of this price hike. The pr