Cameroon has removed import duties on equipment used by startups operating in the country, effective January 1, according to the circular on the execution of the 2026 state budget signed on December 31, 2025 by Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé. The government describes the measure as a tool to promote youth employment and combat unemployment.
Access to the exemption is subject to specific conditions. The circular states that the benefit applies only to imports carried out by individuals or entities holding the required accreditation, where applicable, and is conditional on prior approval by the customs administration of the list of eligible equipment. This validation must be carried out in coordination with the ministry in charge of vocational training and the digital economy.
For startups operating in the digital sector, the exemption is subject to an additional requirement. According to the finance ministry, eligible companies must be registered in advance in the national digital startups registry, managed by the ministry in charge of posts and telecommunications.
The decision is expected to ease the tax burden on startups, which founders continue to view as excessive. Beyond taxation, limited access to bank credit, unreliable electricity supply, and high internet costs are frequently cited as major constraints on the development of startups in Cameroon.
BRM
