Cameroon and China may soon establish preferential trade relations in a strategic move toward a win-win partnership, according to a meeting held on September 8 between China's ambassador to Cameroon, Xu Yong, and the Director General of Customs, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga. The two officials discussed setting up customs cooperation to simplify bilateral trade.
The meeting also touched on the global governance initiative launched in September 2025 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the strengthening of partnerships with Chinese companies. According to a customs statement, the ambassador said he expects "solid cooperation with Cameroonian customs to take advantage of the many opportunities available to both countries."
The adoption of a preferential trade rate would build on a bilateral relationship that spans more than 50 years. For over two decades, China has been Cameroon's leading trade partner. After the third Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2018, President Paul Biya encouraged Chinese private sector companies to increase investment in Cameroon. This has resulted in significant Chinese investment in infrastructure, including ports, dams, and roads.
In a sign of this commitment, Cameroon signed a tax agreement with China in 2023 after a decade of negotiations. The deal aims to "eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax fraud and evasion."
Trade between the two nations reached nearly 1.18 trillion CFA francs in 2023, a 24.1% increase from 2022. China remains Cameroon's primary supplier, holding an 18.9% market share, while Cameroonian exports to China, including crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and forestry products, grew by 33.9%.
Despite this growth, Cameroon maintains a trade deficit with China, which stood at 714.3 billion CFA francs in 2023, an 18.5% increase. By establishing a preferential trade rate, Cameroon could reduce or eliminate customs duties on bilateral trade, making imports and exports more affordable, strengthening business competitiveness, and further stimulating commerce.
Frédéric Nonos