In this opinion piece, Louis Marie Kakdeu analyzes the contradictions of the Cameroonian automobile market, marked by the obsolescence of the fleet and the persistent weight of used vehicles. While recent Chinese cars are offered at competitive prices on the international market, their access to Cameroon is indeed hindered by import costs and customs constraints. The author highlights the consequences of this situation on road safety, the environment, household expenses, and the national economy. He argues for a broader reflection on the renewal of the automotive fleet and the reforms to be undertaken.
By Louis Marie Kakdeu, MPA, PhD & HDR
Between 800, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 or 6,000 dollars, these are the prices displayed for some recent cars in China. But once they reach Cameroon, this opportunity is largely neutralized by customs costs. However, the country continues to massively import old vehicles. With an average age of 18 years, the Cameroonian automotive fleet is among the oldest in Africa. The economic, health, and environmental costs of this obsolescence tend to reduce the desired effect in terms of customs revenue.
Faced with the increasing number of accidents, pollution, as well as rising fuel and maintenance expenses, the question of facilitating the importation of new or recent vehicles from China deserves to be raised. This could be a serious avenue to rejuvenate the automotive fleet, pending the development of a local automotive industry.
An Obsolete Automotive Fleet
The situation is worrying: according to Customs, the average age of vehicles in circulation in Cameroon is 18 years. Furthermore, out of approximately 3 million used vehicles recorded in 2023, over 92% were already over 15 years old. This reality contrasts with the modernization ambitions proclaimed by the country.
It is in this context that China appears with a competitive offer. Brands like Haval, Changan, Chery, Jetour, or the heavy-duty manufacturer Sinotruk offer new vehicles at prices sometimes close to those of imported used vehicles, with some models announced starting from 14 million CFA francs. The commercial argument is simple: allowing households and transport professionals to acquire a new vehicle, under warranty, for a budget comparable to that of a used vehicle imported from Europe, America, or Japan.
The Multiple Costs of Obsolescence: Road Safety, Health, Economy, and Environment
The link between the age of the automotive fleet and road safety is not just a matter of intuition. A study by the Ministry of Transport covering the period 2011-2017 established that the state of vehicles was directly involved in 17% of the recorded accidents, behind speeding (35%), but ahead of drunk driving. Over this period, the country recorded over 7,200 deaths from around 21,000 accidents. In 2026, the obsolescence of vehicles – worn brakes, smooth tires, lack of airbags or modern safety devices – continues to contribute to the occurrence of accidents.
The environmental and health consequences of this aging fleet are also documented. A regional study presented in Yaoundé in 2024, during a workshop bringing together the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the countries of the CEAC, reported average emissions of 170 g of CO2/km for passenger cars and 215.7 g of CO2/km for vans. These levels are higher than those of recent vehicles, better equipped and often equipped with more efficient pollution control devices.
Experts gathered on this occasion recommended, among other things, the establishment of an age limit for imported used vehicles and the strengthening of awareness campaigns on the advantages of clean vehicles for air quality, public health, and the climate. This issue is particularly sensitive in large urban areas like Douala and Yaoundé, where automobile pollution is a significant source of fine particles associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Beyond safety and health, the obsolescence of the automotive fleet also weighs on the national economy. The government collects around 119 billion CFA francs in revenue from used vehicles. At the same time, road accidents would cost the state about 200 billion CFA francs per year, nearly 2.2% of the GDP, according to estimates from road safety engineers. In addition, maintenance costs and higher fuel consumption specific to old vehicles add to the burden of carriers and households.
It should be noted that the State has, for several years, embarked on an incentive fiscal policy, even though its implementation is contested. This includes the total exemption of customs duties on vehicles under 10 years old under the EPAs from 2019, and the exemption of excise duties and a 50% reduction in taxable value on new electric vehicles since 2025. The 2026 budget law goes further by strengthening taxation on the oldest vehicles, with a rate of 12.5% for vehicles aged 12 to 20 years and 25% beyond 20 years, with the stated goal of redirecting demand towards newer models. However, the concrete application of these measures remains unclear.
Deeper Reforms Are Still Needed
The current taxation and market limitations create an opportunity that the Chinese offer could seize. By offering new vehicles at prices close to those of imported used vehicles, China provides a credible alternative to reduce the average age of the fleet, limit risks associated with mechanical obsolescence, reduce polluting emissions, and lower maintenance and fuel expenses for households and transport professionals.
However, deeper reforms are still necessary. Neither taxation nor openness to Chinese imports alone will solve a structural problem. Sustainable rejuvenation of the fleet requires a more ambitious policy: incentive taxation to attract investors in a local automotive industry, particularly SKD/CKD assembly, development of a skilled workforce, and improvement of household purchasing power. This last condition is essential for ensuring that access to a new vehicle does not remain out of reach for the majority of Cameroonians.
In the meantime, the Chinese alternative may appear as a cost-effective option for upgrading.
