On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the President of Cameroon’s Business Group (GECAM) addressed the dire conditions stifling the country’s economic progress. The assessment painted a grim picture of stalled growth and eroded competitiveness.

Growth slows to 3.1%

The country’s economic growth plummeted to 3.1% in 2025, down from 3.5% in 2024—a rate deemed insufficient to meet the 2035 emergence target. By comparison, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to grow at an average of 4.5%, while WAEMU nations are expected to reach 6.4%. The CEMAC region, of which Cameroon is the largest economy, recorded just 2.6% growth.

Oil sector collapse deepens

The oil and gas sector, once a key growth driver, contracted by 6.9% in 2025, following a 9.7% decline in 2024. GECAM’s leader emphasized that hydrocarbons are no longer the primary engine of economic expansion.

Primary sector struggles

The primary sector’s growth dropped from 3.6% to 1.7% year-on-year. Industrial and export agriculture reversed from an 8.7% increase in 2024 to a 3.2% decline in 2025, hampered by climate challenges and falling exports across multiple value chains.

Cotton production falls short

Cotton production reached only 286,000 tons—well below the 400,000-ton target. Export volumes declined by 24%, while export earnings dropped by 29.8%.

Agricultural gains overshadowed by export declines

“Even the most robust sectors reveal underlying weaknesses,” the GECAM leader stated. “The cocoa harvest hit a record 309,518 tons, yet export volumes fell by 9%, despite an 18% rise in export earnings driven by soaring global prices. Coffee followed a similar trend: production increased from 10,562 to 11,637 tons, while export volumes dropped by 2%, though revenue rose by 3.9%.”

Rising food import dependency

Cameroon’s reliance on food imports continues to grow, with maize imports up 4.5%. This trend underscores persistent challenges in achieving national food security, according to GECAM.

Industrial stagnation

The industrial sector, crucial for economic transformation, grew by just 1.7% to 2%, while manufacturing slowed from 2.9% to 2.2%. The business community attributes this stagnation to high energy costs, logistical bottlenecks, financing constraints, and declining competitiveness.