In 2025, Cameroon spent FCFA 757.4 billion on imports of machinery and industrial equipment, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). These imports represented 14.5% of the country's total import expenditure. The INS emphasizes the importance of this equipment for Cameroon's economic development.
While these figures are considerable, they mark a 3.7% decrease compared to 2024. This slowdown comes after several years of strong demand, linked to the installation of new industrial units and the strengthening of production capacities in various sectors. These imports reflect investment efforts in the national productive fabric.
A notable development concerns Cameroon's suppliers. China has emerged as the main partner for machinery and industrial equipment. According to the Competitiveness Committee, attached to the Ministry of Economy, China's market share increased from 23.8% in 2016 to 52.5% in 2024.
In contrast, the European Union saw its market share decline from 50.1% in 2016 to 32.3% in 2024. This development is all the more notable given that Cameroon and the EU have implemented Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) since 2016, providing for the gradual elimination of customs duties on 80% of imports from the EU, including machinery and industrial equipment.
Cameroon continues to face challenges related to its production equipment. Despite massive imports, the INS noted in its 2023 report on the economic and financial situation of companies that the condition of equipment is deteriorating. Indeed, 60.1% of equipment was in poor working order in 2023, compared to 59.6% in 2022. Maintenance difficulties are a major cause of this situation, affecting the productivity of companies.
Thus, although imports of industrial equipment are necessary for the modernization of the Cameroonian economy, they are not enough to guarantee a lasting improvement in productive performance if the problems of maintenance and equipment quality are not resolved.
