Cameroon’s export landscape is shifting. China has now become the second-largest destination for goods from Cameroon, displacing France from that position. This change signals a realignment in trade patterns and economic partnerships.
In 2024 Cameroon exported goods worth around 535.1 billion CFA francs to China. That’s about 16.5 percent of all Cameroonian exports. Much of that trade consisted of crude oil and natural gas. France, which once held second place, saw its share fall to about 5.7 percent, with exports valued at 185.8 billion CFA francs.
The Netherlands remains Cameroon’s top export destination, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country’s export value. India is now the third leading market for Cameroonian goods.
The shift reflects broader trends: Cameroon’s exports are increasingly flowing toward Asian buyers. Demand for energy products in China has played a big role in that reorientation.
This change may have long term implications for Cameroon’s economy, including export revenue stability, trade policy, and diplomatic relations.