Imports from China to Cameroon rose sharply in the second quarter of 2025, with the total value increasing by 25% year on year, driven mainly by automobiles, steel products and agricultural inputs.
According to trade data, Chinese imports reached 492,013 tons valued at CFA226.8 billion (≈ $408 million) during the period, compared with 438,218 tons worth CFA181.7 billion (≈ $327 million) in the same quarter of 2024. The increase reflects not only higher import volumes but also rising prices and a shift in the composition of goods imported.
Automobiles and spare parts emerged as the primary driver of the growth. The value of vehicle-related imports from China nearly doubled, climbing from CFA13.3 billion (≈ $24 million) in Q2 2024 to CFA26.2 billion (≈ $47 million) in Q2 2025. The surge points to stronger domestic demand for vehicles and equipment, with implications for foreign exchange outflows and the expansion of automobile distribution and maintenance networks across the country.
Steel and metal products also recorded a significant rise. Imports of pig iron, iron and steel reached CFA44.9 billion (≈ $81 million) in the second quarter of 2025, up from CFA11.1 billion (≈ $20 million) a year earlier. The sharp increase suggests intensified activity in construction, real estate and infrastructure development, sectors that are major consumers of steel inputs.
Beyond automobiles and steel, sector analysts note a sustained inflow of agricultural inputs, including machinery, fertilizers and related equipment, reflecting ongoing efforts to modernize farming practices and improve productivity. These imports are increasingly shaping Cameroon’s trade profile with China, reinforcing Beijing’s position as one of the country’s leading suppliers of manufactured goods and industrial inputs.
The rising import bill underscores Cameroon’s continued reliance on Chinese products across multiple sectors, while also highlighting pressures on the trade balance as demand for capital goods and consumer products grows alongside domestic economic activity.
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