Fund transfers from Gulf countries to Cameroon increased in 2025, reaching FCFA 11.8 billion, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). This figure marks a recovery after two years of decline, although it does not fully compensate for the decrease observed since 2022.
In 2022, these transfers amounted to FCFA 13.2 billion, before decreasing to FCFA 10.4 billion in 2023, and then to FCFA 8.3 billion in 2024, the lowest level in the recent period. The increase in 2025 indicates an improvement but remains below the 2022 peak. The United Arab Emirates dominates these flows, accounting for 63.8% of total transfers between 2022 and 2025, with FCFA 27.9 billion. Saudi Arabia follows with FCFA 5.9 billion (13.5%), then Kuwait (9.2%) and Qatar (8.5%). Oman and Bahrain contribute more modestly, with 2.7% and 2.3% respectively.
Despite this increase, transfers from the Gulf represent only a small portion of the total remittances from the Cameroonian diaspora. In 2025, diaspora transfers to Cameroon reached approximately FCFA 650 billion. Thus, funds from the Gulf account for only about 1.8% of the total. The Cameroonian diaspora, estimated at between 4 and 6 million people, mainly sends funds to cover household current expenses, such as health, education, and family support.
The Cameroonian government is seeking to direct some of these funds towards productive investments. Moh Sylvester Tangongho, Director General of the Treasury, suggests channeling these resources into instruments such as "Diaspora Bonds", similar to Senegal and Ethiopia, to encourage investments by Cameroonians abroad in their country of origin. These bonds could finance infrastructure projects or social amenities. In 2024, remittances from the Cameroonian diaspora exceeded FCFA 652 billion, representing approximately 8.4% of Cameroon's revised budget for 2025.
