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Istanbul Africa Trade Company

Country Profiles

Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is located in Central Africa and it is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. The population of Cameroon is 24 million and its GDP is $34 Billion.

Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960 and completed its union with former British Cameroon in 1961. English and French are the official languages. Its capital city is Yaounde and its largest city is Douala, which has a large shipping port and approximately 10 million population. The country has faced civil unrest between English-speaking regions and French-speaking regions in 2017.

Cameroon’s main import and export partners are France and China. Cameroon has petroleum reserve and also has a forestry industry. The country is also specialized in producing cocoa beans and other cocoa products. It imports a wide range of products.

The international and commercial relations between Cameroon and Turkey accelerated after the visit of Cameroonian Presiden Paul Biya to Turkey in 2013. Since that year, multiple cooperation agreements have been signed, and there have been efforts to have a closer partnership. Turkish exports to Cameroon increased significantly in the last 10 years from $32 Million to $97 Million.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Cameroon with Turkey.

Four charts for Cameroon. Population rises from about 15 million in 2000 to 24 million in 2017. GDP grows steadily from about US$10 billion to US$35 billion. Total imports stay above exports, both between about US$4 and US$8 billion. Imports from Turkey peak near US$130 million in 2011 and end about US$95 million, above exports to Turkey at about US$60 million. Turkey's exports to Cameroon in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.
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Country at a glance

Capital city
Yaounde
Official language
English / French
Population
24 million
GDP
$34 billion
GDP per capita
$1,447
Human Development Index
0.556
Top 3 import partners
China, France, Republic of Congo
Top 3 export partners
France, China, Italy
Top 3 import products
Refined Petroleum, Ships, Rice
Top 3 export products
Crude Petroleum, Cocoa beans, Sawn Wood
Trade balance
-$1.61B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$32 million

Top 10 products account for 59.7% of the total.

2008
ProductShare of total
Pasta12.9%
Iron Blocks7.6%
Refined Petroleum6.5%
Baked Goods6.4%
Raw Iron Bars6.1%
Yeast5.2%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars4.6%
Cement3.9%
Petroleum Jelly3.5%
Soap3.2%

2017

$97 million

Top 10 products account for 47.8% of the total.

2017
ProductShare of total
Cement8.3%
Iron Blocks7.4%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars5.6%
Insulated Wire5.6%
Pasta4.2%
Iron Gas Containers4.2%
Buses4.1%
Yeast3.1%
Refined Petroleum3.1%
Plastic Lids2.2%

Frequently asked questions

Cameroon: what does Turkey export there?
In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $97 million. The ten largest product groups made up 47.8% of that total, led by Cement; Iron Blocks; Hot-Rolled Iron Bars.
Cameroon: who are its main trading partners?
The three largest import partners are China, France, Republic of Congo. The three largest export partners are France, China, Italy.
Cameroon: what does the country import?
The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Ships; Rice. The three largest export products are Crude Petroleum; Cocoa beans; Sawn Wood.
Cameroon: how big is the economy?
Population 24 million, GDP $34 billion, and $1,447 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.556.
Cameroon: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?
The trade balance is -$1.61B in net imports.

Related reading

Official Partnership in Cameroon

Istanbul Africa Trading Company and Bliss International Holdings are officially partners in the Cameroonian market.

Importing Timber from Africa

As Istanbul Africa Trade Company, we understand that the timber industry is a cornerstone of both African economies and global markets.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets

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