The value of goods imported from China rose by 25% year on year in the second quarter of 2025. Over the period, total import volumes reached 492,013 tons, valued at CFA226.8 billion, compared with 438,218 tons worth CFA181.7 billion in the same period of 2024. The increase reflects higher prices and changes in the import mix, beyond the growth in tonnage alone.
The main driver was automobiles and spare parts. The value of these imports nearly doubled, rising from CFA13.3 billion in the second quarter of 2024 to CFA26.2 billion a year later. The trend points to stronger demand for vehicles and equipment, with direct effects on foreign exchange demand and automobile distribution networks.
Steel products also recorded a sharp increase. Imports of pig iron, iron, and steel reached CFA44.9 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up from CFA11.1 billion a year earlier. The rise reflects a surge in orders, with potential spillovers for construction, real estate, and infrastructure projects, which are heavy consumers of steel.
Agricultural inputs ranked third among the main contributors. Imports of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides edged up in value to CFA17.01 billion, from CFA15.9 billion a year earlier. The segment highlights the continued dependence of the agricultural sector on imported crop protection products, as yield security remains a key concern.
Over the period under review, 69% of the total value of goods unloaded at the ports of Douala and Kribi came from eleven countries. China ranked first, accounting for 20% of total imports, ahead of Togo at 15%, India at 7%, Belgium at 7%, and France at 7%. The breakdown underscores the weight of Asian and regional partners in Cameroon’s supply chains.
The pattern confirms China’s leading position in Cameroon’s foreign trade, while also reflecting a gradual diversification of sourcing and rising intra-African trade, as illustrated by Togo’s ranking.
Amina Malloum
