Cameroon has signed three agreements with domestic private sector firms to expand local defence manufacturing, in a move aimed at reducing imports and strengthening industrial self-reliance, authorities said.
The deals, signed on April 8 in the capital Yaounde under the authority of Defence Minister Delegate Joseph Beti Assomo, cover the production of armoured vehicles, ballistic protection equipment and mechanical spare parts for military use.
Officials say the initiative is part of the country’s broader industrialisation strategy under the National Development Strategy 2030 (NDS30), which prioritises import substitution and domestic value creation.
The government says the agreements mark a shift towards building a local defence industrial base in partnership with private firms, with the aim of improving strategic autonomy in a sector traditionally reliant on foreign suppliers.
Under the first agreement, local company Sotrabus will convert Toyota Land Cruiser single-cab vehicles into armoured combat units equipped with integrated operational systems.
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The assembly work will be carried out in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, with deployment expected to support troop mobility across multiple operational zones. The project is scheduled to be completed within 11 months and will be implemented in four phases.
A second agreement provides for the construction of an industrial facility dedicated to manufacturing ballistic protection gear, including bullet-proof vests and helmets.
Authorities say the plant is expected to be completed within 24 months and could produce up to 25,000 vests annually once fully operational.
The third project involves a separate factory focused on producing mechanical spare parts for military vehicles, also scheduled over a 24-month period. Officials say this will improve maintenance capacity and reduce equipment downtime.
All three projects include provisions for technology transfer to personnel within the Ministry of Defence, a move intended to build local technical expertise and sustain long-term production capacity.
In a statement, Beti Assomo said the agreements represent a milestone in Cameroon’s push for industrial sovereignty.
“We are laying the foundations of a national defence industry built on public-private partnership,” he said. “These projects are significant building blocks in the progressive construction of our strategic and industrial autonomy.”
He urged stakeholders to ensure effective implementation, stressing discipline and coordination to meet production targets.
The initiative comes amid rising security concerns in parts of the country, including ongoing tensions in the Anglophone regions and cross-border threats in the north, which have increased demand for military equipment and logistics support.
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By prioritising domestic firms over foreign suppliers, the government is seeking to reduce exposure to global supply chain disruptions while retaining more value within the national economy.
The agreements build on earlier investments, including the launch of a central military clothing workshop in Ekounou in 2025 and the construction of a footwear manufacturing facility for the armed forces.
Together, these projects point to an emerging domestic defence industrial ecosystem, with potential spillovers for employment creation, skills development and reduced foreign exchange outflows linked to defence procurement.
