According to the report on foreign trade released on April 1, 2026 by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the trade deficit increased from 1,747.3 billion CFA francs (about 3.1 billion USD) in 2024 to 2,145.2 billion CFA francs (about 3.8 billion USD) in 2025. This represents a difference of nearly 398 billion CFA francs (about 710 million USD), with an annual increase of 22.8%. This increase in Cameroon’s trade deficit is due to a decrease in exports coupled with an increase in imports.
Importations remain heavy
Indeed, during the period under review, imports increased by 4.6% to reach 5,229.2 billion CFA francs (about 9.33 billion USD). Mineral products remain the largest category with 19.1% of total expenditures, despite a 15.1% annual decrease. Fuels and lubricants alone account for 15.1% of the total bill.
Machinery and mechanical and electrical equipment represent 14.5% of imports, with a value of 757.4 billion CFA francs (about 1.35 billion USD), a decrease of 3.7%. In contrast, chemical products increased by 5% to 548 billion CFA francs (about 977 million USD), driven by pharmaceutical products, industrial inputs, and pesticides.
Imports of plant products decreased by 12.5% to 546 billion CFA francs (about 974 million USD), due to a decrease in cereal purchases (-14.1%). Rice, the main item, decreased by 15.6% to 268.7 billion CFA francs (about 48 million USD), followed by wheat and rye (-12.3%) at 187.8 billion CFA francs (about 335 million USD). According to the INS, this trend could reflect the initial effects of import substitution policies in the agri-food sector.
Exports under strong oil pressure
The body responsible for statistics management in Cameroon stated in its report that “export revenues fell by 5.2% to 3,084 billion CFA francs (about 5.5 billion USD), after an 8.8% increase in 2024. The decline is largely attributable to hydrocarbons. Indeed, revenues from crude oil collapsed by 29.6% to 705.6 billion CFA francs, due to a decrease in volumes (-15.6%) and export prices (-16.7%). Liquefied natural gas also decreased by 8.1% to 350.2 billion CFA francs.
However, cocoa plays a mitigating role. Cocoa bean exports increased by 18.7% to reach 810.2 billion CFA francs, supported by favorable prices despite a decrease in volumes. Cocoa and its derivatives now account for 38.5% of export revenues.
