(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s economy is forecasted to grow by over 4% in 2025, with public debt projected at 42% of GDP. This figure is below the 70% ceiling set by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The figures were announced by Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé during a speech at the investiture of Dr. George Elombi, the new President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in Cairo, Egypt.
“The Cameroonian economy is experiencing sustainable growth, estimated at more than 4% in 2025, and is expected to strengthen in the coming years. Our public debt, maintained at around 42% of GDP, remains well below the 70% threshold set by CEMAC, proof of our fiscal discipline and prudence,” Motazé stated.
Motazé described Cameroon’s economic path as focused on industrialization, infrastructure modernization, and economic diversification. He said the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS) rests on four pillars: structural transformation and diversification, human capital development, employment and inclusion, and good governance.
“Our strategy seeks to industrialize our economy, modernize basic infrastructure, improve the well-being of our people, diversify sources of growth, and create jobs for young people,” Motazé said. He noted that government reforms, including modernizing the tax framework and digitalizing public services, aim to improve the business environment to foster private investment and competitiveness.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges, such as mobilizing resources for the country’s investment program, controlling debt costs, modernizing the productive sector, and integrating young people and women into the growth process.
Afreximbank’s Strategic Support to Cameroon
In his speech, Motazé highlighted the partnership between Afreximbank and Cameroon, citing the bank’s contributions to infrastructure and financial projects. These include financing the container terminal at the Douala Port Authority, supporting rural electrification projects for over 2,000 localities, and investing in fungible treasury bonds to support public finances. He also mentioned the bank’s €380 million support package from July 2025, provided through a direct loan and local bank guarantee.
“For Cameroon, Afreximbank’s actions have not been superficial; they have translated into concrete and decisive support. You have accompanied our development efforts, strengthened our resilience, and supported our ambitions,” Motazé told the audience.
Cameroon’s Strategic Position in Africa’s Growth Map
The finance minister noted Cameroon’s role as a crossroads in Central Africa, with access to the Gulf of Guinea and port facilities in Douala and Kribi. He pointed to the country’s potential in agriculture, mining, energy, and industry, which, combined with reforms, offers a foundation for growth.
“Afreximbank, through its mission and experience, remains a key player in transforming challenges into development opportunities,” he said, calling for continued collaboration between Cameroon and the bank to advance industrialization, enhance regional trade, and boost competitiveness. “Together, we can turn this potential into wealth, these hopes into reality, and make our partnership a driver of shared prosperity for the whole of Africa,” Motazé added.
With macroeconomic indicators showing stability, Motazé reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment to maintaining fiscal policies and strengthening regional cooperation. He stressed that partnerships with institutions like Afreximbank are important for reaching the country’s industrialization goals.
“Cameroon is now a country that stands resilient and resolutely focused on the future,” he concluded. “Our partnership with Afreximbank is not just financial; it is a partnership for transformation, one that supports our national strategy to modernize our economy, boost our infrastructure, and ensure shared prosperity for all.”
Mercy Fosoh
