Cameroon is often called “Africa in Miniature” because it contains rainforests, mountains, savannas, lakes, and a coastline within one country.
The Republic of Cameroon
CameroonMiddle Africa-3:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English, French
National CurrencyCentral African CFA Franc (XAF)
National Day(s)20 May (National Day / State Unification Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalYaounde
Economic CapitalDouala
Cultural CapitalYaounde
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 9 – 11 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportDouala International Airport (DLA)
Primary PortPort of Douala
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline402 km
Highest PointFako Peak, Mount Cameroon (4,045 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverLake Chad (an endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria and Chad)
ClimateVaries with terrain, from tropical along the coast to semiarid and hot in the north
Border Countries
Central African RepublicChadRepublic of the CongoEquatorial GuineaGabonNigeria
6Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Several traditional kingdoms still exist in Cameroon, and some kings and chiefs continue to play important cultural roles.
More than 270 indigenous languages are spoken across Cameroon, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in Africa.
The Ngondo Festival celebrates the culture of the Sawa people and includes traditional ceremonies connected to rivers and water.
Mount Cameroon is one of Africa’s most active volcanoes and has erupted several times in recent history.
Cameroon is home to more than 250 ethnic groups, making it one of Africa’s most culturally diverse countries.
Roger Milla became a global football legend after helping Cameroon reach the quarterfinals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
In many Cameroonian communities, showing respect to elders is an important cultural tradition and part of daily life.
Ndole, made with bitter leaves, peanuts, and fish or meat, is considered Cameroon’s national dish.
Plantains are a staple food in Cameroon, and the country is one of the largest producers in Central Africa.
The Reunification Monument in Yaounde commemorates the 1961 reunification of British and French Cameroons.
The yellow star in the center of Cameroon’s flag is known as the Star of Unity and symbolizes national unity.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | CameroonUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Paul Biya
Since November 1982
H.E. Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute
Since January 2019
H.E. Dr. Lejeune Mbella Mbella
Since October 2015
H.E. Louis-Paul Motaze
Since March 2018
H.E. Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana
Since December 2004
H.E. Alamine Ousmane Mey
Since March 2018
H.E. Joseph Beti Assomo
Since October 2015
Political Summary
Political System
Semi-presidential Republic
Ruling Party
Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM): Centre-right (since 1985)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Social Democratic Front (SDF)Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC)
Next Presidential Election
Expected in 2032
Next Legislative Election
Late 2026
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
44Organizations
33Member
0Founding Member
2Partner, Observer or Participant
9Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Cameroon | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations24 Feb 197551 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Salem Saeed Al ShamsiUAE Ambassador to Cameroon · Non-residentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Iya TidjaniAmbassador of Cameroon to the UAE · Non-residentLast Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cameroon Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Cameroon | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Not Signed | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 13 Jul 2017.Entered into force on 8 Jul 2021. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 10 Mar 2020. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Cameroon | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Fahad Al GergawiUndersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign TradeMar2026
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of Foreign TradeJan2026
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateAug2024
- H.E. Dr. Salem Al NeyadiUAE Ambassador to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)Nov2023
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateMar2023
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeNov2022
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateJun2022
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Pierre Ismael Bidoung KpwattMinister of Arts and Culture of CameroonJan2024
- H.E. Achille Bassilekin IIIMinister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts of CameroonJan2024
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)1.2USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)332.1USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Cameroonian Companies in the UAE
- -
Major UAE Companies in Cameroon
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP World-
Masdar-
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research