China is removing its customs duties for African countries, but is Cameroon ready?

Introduction

On February 14, 2026, at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the elimination of tariffs for African countries. Starting May 1, 2026, the People’s Republic of China will implement a zero-tariff regime on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, with the exception of Eswatini. According to the Chinese President, this measure aims to correct the imbalances that characterize bilateral trade relations. 

However, behind this measure lies a significant economic opportunity for countries able to prepare for it. For Cameroon, it is less a trade favor than an opportunity to test its capacity to transform its economy.

Indeed, China is now one of Cameroon’s most important trading partners. By 2024, it had become the country’s second-largest export market, absorbing approximately 16% of Cameroonian exports, for an estimated value of over 500 billion CFA francs. More than 80% of these exports consist of crude oil, natural gas, and raw materials with little or no processing. In other words, Cameroon primarily sells raw resources and imports high-value-added manufactured goods in return.

The removal of tariffs by China is an opportunity, but it does not automatically correct the structural imbalance.

China’s elimination of tariffs offers Cameroon the opportunity to access one of the world’s largest consumer markets, estimated at over 1.4 billion people, without tax barriers. For Cameroon, this could boost exports, improve the trade balance, and support growth. Ultimately, however, everything will depend on the country’s capacity to produce what China is willing to buy.

But in reality, it’s important to remember that opening a market doesn’t automatically guarantee export success. The real challenge lies within the Cameroonian economy itself. To export more, Cameroon must produce enough, produce competitively, and meet market demands. However, Cameroon still primarily exports minimally processed raw materials with limited value.

If the country does not strengthen its local processing capacity, this opening will primarily benefit a few products already exported, without any real structural change. Conversely, if Cameroon invests in processing, quality, and productivity, access to the Chinese market can become a driver of wealth and job creation.

The potential impact on the Cameroonian economy is real, but it is not automatic.

In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroon has significant potential. The country produces between 280,000 and 320,000 tons of cocoa annually, not counting coffee, cotton, palm oil, and horticultural products. Yet, the majority of this production is exported unprocessed. If just 20% of Cameroonian cocoa were processed locally before being exported to China, the revenue generated could double or even triple, while creating thousands of industrial jobs.

Furthermore, Cameroon is among the leading timber producers in Central Africa, yet it continues to export a significant portion of its timber as raw logs or semi-processed products. China, however, is one of the world’s largest markets for furniture, panels, and wood-based products. Duty-free access could present an opportunity for local processing industries, provided that industrial, energy, and logistical capacities are strengthened.

What are the challenges to overcome?

Producing goods in Cameroon remains expensive. Logistics costs represent between 30 and 40% of the final price, a level significantly higher than the global average. Added to this are the high cost of electricity, difficulties in accessing financing, and slow administrative procedures. Under these conditions, even with the elimination of customs duties, Cameroonian products would likely remain uncompetitive.

The elimination of customs duties does not eliminate the requirements for quality, traceability, and compliance. Many Cameroonian producers, particularly SMEs and agricultural cooperatives, still lack the necessary certifications to export to China. “Therefore, structured support is needed; this opening benefits not only a few large companies, but also the majority of national economic actors.”

On a macroeconomic level, the issue is also budgetary and strategic. Cameroon has had a structural trade deficit with China for several years, which exceeded 700 billion CFA francs in 2023. If exports do not grow faster than imports, the elimination of customs duties paradoxically risks exacerbating this imbalance.

The opening of the Chinese market must therefore be accompanied by a clear industrial policy, geared towards local processing and value-added exports.

This initiative by the Chinese President also comes at a time of rising protectionism in several major economies worldwide. In this respect, it should offer Cameroon an alternative, but also a responsibility. The country must avoid simply replacing one form of trade dependency with another. Privileged access to the Chinese market should encourage Cameroon to focus on negotiation, investment, and transformation.

Conclusion

To fully capitalize on this opportunity, Cameroon must prepare to invest in processing, quality, and productivity. This also requires reforming the business environment to reduce production costs and secure investments. Therefore, it necessitates an active economic diplomacy capable of defending the interests of Cameroonian exporters and facilitating their integration into Chinese value chains.

Author

Haiwang Djamo

National Coordinator & Research Analyst