Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is a Central African nation often referred to as the “hinge of Africa”, owing to its strategic geographical location bridging West and Central Africa. Bordered by six countries and the Bight of Biafra in the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon is noted for its remarkable ethnic diversity, complex colonial legacy, and varied natural environment. Despite enduring socio-political challenges, it remains one of the most industrialised and economically diversified countries in Central Africa, with a mixed economy supported by agriculture, petroleum, and services.

Historical Background

Before European colonisation, the region that forms modern Cameroon was inhabited by a mosaic of ethnic groups and kingdoms, including the Bamileke, Bamun, and Tikarin polities in the western and northern regions, as well as forest-based communities in the south. These societies maintained intricate political structures and engaged in extensive trans-Sahelian and coastal trade networks.
In 1884, Germany established a protectorate over the territory, naming it Kamerun. German colonial authorities developed plantations, constructed railways and ports, and initiated limited administrative and educational reforms. Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, the Treaty of Versailles (1919) divided the territory between France and Britain under League of Nations mandates.
The French controlled the larger portion, known as French Cameroon, while the British administered Northern and Southern Cameroons from Nigeria. France implemented direct colonial rule, expanding infrastructure and promoting export crops, whereas Britain practised indirect rule through local chieftaincies.
French Cameroon gained independence on 1 January 1960 under President Ahmadou Ahidjo, forming the Republic of Cameroon. In 1961, following a UN-supervised plebiscite, Southern Cameroon voted to join the Republic, forming the Federal Republic of Cameroon, while Northern Cameroon chose integration with Nigeria.
A 1972 referendum replaced the federal system with a unitary state, renamed the United Republic of Cameroon, and in 1984, the country assumed its present name — the Republic of Cameroon. President Paul Biya, who succeeded Ahidjo in 1982, remains in power and is one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
Since 2016, Cameroon’s Anglophone regions (North-West and South-West) have experienced violent separatist movements arising from perceived marginalisation and linguistic inequality. Despite the conflict, the state retains relative stability and remains a key actor in Central African regional politics.

Geography and Environment

Cameroon occupies 475,440 square kilometres, slightly larger than California, and shares 5,018 kilometres of land borders with six countries: Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. It has a 402-kilometre coastline along the Bight of Biafra.
The terrain encompasses coastal plains, volcanic highlands, savannas, and tropical forests. Mount Cameroon, standing at 4,045 metres, is the highest peak in West and Central Africa and an active volcano. The Adamawa Plateau and Lake Chad Basin dominate the central and northern regions, respectively.
Cameroon’s climate transitions from equatorial and humid in the south to semi-arid in the far north. The southern forested areas form part of the Congo Basin, one of the world’s largest tropical rainforests. The north faces desertification pressures, while the central and western highlands enjoy fertile soils favourable for agriculture.
Major natural resources include petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, and hydropower potential. Environmental challenges persist, such as deforestation, wildlife poaching, pollution, and soil erosion. The country also faces geological risks; notably, the Lake Nyos disaster (1986) released carbon dioxide from volcanic activity, killing more than 1,700 people.

People and Society

As of 2024, Cameroon’s population is approximately 30.96 million, with 59.3% living in urban areas. The median age is 18.9 years, reflecting a youthful demographic, and population growth stands at 2.7% annually. Life expectancy averages 64.2 years.
Cameroon’s ethnic diversity exceeds 250 groups. Major communities include:

• Bamileke-Bamu (22.2%)
• Biu-Mandara (16.4%)
• Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri (13.5%)
• Beti/Bassa (13.1%)
• Others (35%)

The nation is officially bilingual, recognising French and English as official languages, though more than two dozen indigenous languages such as Ewondo, Fulfulde, and Duala are widely spoken.
Religious composition (2024):

• Roman Catholic: 33.1%
• Muslim: 30.6%
• Protestant: 27.1%
• Other faiths and traditional religions: 9%

Cameroon has a fertility rate of 4.44 children per woman, and nearly 41.5% of the population is under 15 years old. Health indicators show progress, yet malaria and maternal mortality (258 deaths per 100,000 births) remain key concerns. Literacy stands at 72.5%, but gender disparities persist, and education expenditure is only 2.8% of GDP.

Government and Politics

The Republic of Cameroon operates as a presidential republic with its capital at Yaoundé. The current President, Paul Biya, has governed since 1982, and Prime Minister Joseph Ngute has served since 2019.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) dominates political life. The President, elected for a seven-year term with no limits, exercises broad powers over appointments, defence, and the judiciary.
The bicameral Parliament consists of:

• National Assembly (180 elected members)
• Senate (100 members — 70 elected, 30 appointed by the President)

Women represent approximately 33% of parliamentary seats. The legal system blends French civil law, English common law, and customary law, reflecting the country’s colonial duality. The Supreme Court and Constitutional Council are the highest judicial authorities.
Although multi-party politics exist, opposition movements such as the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) and Social Democratic Front (SDF) face administrative and political restrictions.

Economy

Cameroon’s economy is one of the most diversified in Central Africa and the largest in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
Key economic indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $143.26 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $4,900
• Growth rate: 3.7%
• Inflation: 4.5%
• External debt: $11.1 billion

Sectoral distribution:

• Agriculture: 17.4%
• Industry: 25.6%
• Services: 49.9%

Cameroon’s principal exports include crude oil, natural gas, gold, cocoa, and timber, while imports comprise garments, refined petroleum, plastics, and cereals.
Main trading partners (2023):

• Exports: Netherlands (21%), France (14%), UAE (13%), India (9%), China (8%).
• Imports: China (43%), France (6%), India (6%), Belgium (4%), UAE (4%).

Agriculture employs a majority of the workforce and produces cassava, maize, oil palm, bananas, and cocoa. The industrial sector includes petroleum refining, aluminium, textiles, and food processing.
Persistent challenges include corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and security threats from insurgencies in the Far North and Anglophone regions. These issues constrain foreign investment and infrastructure expansion.

Energy and Infrastructure

Electricity access covers 71% of the population, with 94% in urban areas but only 25% in rural zones.
Energy generation (2023):

• Hydropower: 63.1%
• Fossil fuels: 36.1%
• Solar: 0.3%

Cameroon possesses around 200 million barrels of oil reserves and 135 billion cubic metres of natural gas, making it a moderate regional energy producer. The Kribi Deep Sea Port and Douala Port serve as critical maritime gateways. The transport network includes 987 kilometres of railways and 37 airports, with infrastructure concentrated along the Douala–Yaoundé corridor.

Defence and Security

The Cameroon Armed Forces (FAC) comprise the Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie, and Firefighting Corps, with an estimated 40,000–50,000 active personnel. The Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) operates as an elite counter-terrorism and border security unit.
Cameroon participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the Lake Chad Basin and contributes to UN peacekeeping operations, notably MINUSCA in the Central African Republic.
Military expenditure: approximately 1% of GDP (2024).

Culture and Society

Cameroon’s cultural identity mirrors its vast ethnic and linguistic diversity, often earning it the nickname “Africa in miniature” for encompassing nearly all major African climates, ecosystems, and traditions.
Traditional music, dance, and festivals remain integral to community life, while modern Cameroonian music fuses indigenous styles such as makossa and bikutsi with Afrobeat influences. Football is a unifying passion, with the Indomitable Lions achieving multiple Africa Cup of Nations titles and representing Africa in several FIFA World Cups.
Literature, film, and visual arts are expanding fields, with growing regional and international recognition. Religious and national festivals, particularly those celebrating unity and independence, reinforce social cohesion.

National Identity and Symbols

• Flag: Vertical stripes of green, red, and yellow with a central yellow star symbolising unity.
• National anthem: “O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancêtres” (“O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers”).
• National colours: Green, red, and yellow.
• Symbol: The lion, representing strength and courage.
• Motto: Paix – Travail – Patrie (“Peace, Work, Fatherland”).

Foreign Relations

Cameroon maintains a balanced and active foreign policy. It is a member of the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), CEMAC, Commonwealth, and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
Relations with France remain historically close, while ties with China have grown through infrastructure and investment projects. Cooperation with the United States focuses on counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and governance reform.