Cameroon’s natural resources are a major driver of its economy. Minerals include bauxite and kyanite in Minim-Martap and Ngaoundéré, cobalt in Nkamouna, iron ore in Kribi, and gold in the east.
Petroleum, found in the 1950s and produced since 1977, is still the main export, which has made up around half of export earnings, even though production has dropped.
The country also holds 3.9 billion cubic feet of unexploited natural gas. Agriculture is also key, with major exports like cocoa, coffee, cotton, and rubber. Forests in the Congo Basin provide valuable timber and help protect biodiversity.
Most of the energy comes from hydroelectric dams on rivers like the Sanaga, but the sector struggles with poor infrastructure.
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Cameroon’s Natural Resources And Their Locations
Here are the resources that have been discovered in Cameroon and their locations:
| Natural Resources | Locations |
|---|---|
| Bauxite | Minim-Martap and Ngaoundéré, Adamawa Region |
| Kyanite | Minim-Martap, Adamawa Region |
| Cobalt | Nkamouna, East Region |
| Gold | Bétaré-Oya, East Region; Mayo-Banyo, North Region |
| Cassiterite (Tin) | Mayo-Darle, Far North Region |
| Iron Ore | Kribi, South Region; Mballam, South Region |
| Uranium | Poli, Far North Region |
| Rutile | Akonolinga, Centre Region |
| Nickel | Lomié, East Region |
| Manganese | Lomié, East Region |
| Diamonds | East Region (e.g., around Yokadouma) |
| Petroleum | Kribi-Campo Basin, South Region |
| Natural Gas | Kribi-Campo Basin, South Region |
| Hydroelectric Power | Sanaga River (Edéa and Song-Loulou installations), Lagdo Dam (Benue River, North Region) |
| Timber | Congo Basin forests across several regions |
| Cocoa | Centre, Littoral, and South-West Regions |
| Coffee | West, Littoral, and Centre Regions |
| Cotton | North, Far North, and Centre Regions |
| Rubber | South and Centre Regions |
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Discoveries Of Cameroon’s Natural Resources
Bauxite was found in the 1950s in Minim-Martap and Ngaoundéré. It’s used to make aluminum. Cameroon has some of the biggest bauxite deposits in Africa, but poor infrastructure delays progress. Gold has been mined since the early 1900s, mostly in the East around Bétaré-Oya.
Yet, much of it hasn’t been fully explored because of bad roads and limited access. Cobalt was discovered in Nkamouna. It’s used for making batteries, but mining it is expensive and raises environmental concerns.
Petroleum was first explored in the 1950s. Commercial production started in 1977. Most of the oil comes from the Kribi-Campo Basin.
Oil is a major export, but production has gone down over the years. In 2021, natural resources made up 5.53% of the GDP, with oil being the top earner.
Cameroon also has natural gas, about 3.9 billion cubic feet, but it’s mostly unused. The cost of development and weak infrastructure are major roadblocks.
Agriculture is still essential. Cocoa and coffee are two of the main export crops. Cocoa grows mostly in the Centre, Littoral, and South-West. Coffee is farmed in the West, Littoral, and Centre. These crops have supported the economy for many years.
Viability Of Cameroon’s Natural Resources
Infrastructure is key to resource exploitation. But poor transport systems slow everything down. For instance, without a direct rail line from Adamawa to Douala, moving bauxite becomes difficult. The Kribi port upgrade and the Chad-Cameroon pipeline are steps to fix this.
High costs make things worse. Natural gas reserves, though large, stay mostly untouched. Why? It’s just too expensive to start. Oil production also depends on global prices. In 2021, crude oil averaged $70 a barrel.
Mining also harms the environment. Forests get cleared and rivers polluted. The TRIDOM area in the Congo Basin is a clear example.
Following environmental rules is not just good; it’s necessary. Things like Environmental Impact Assessments help prevent long-term damage.
Then, there’s the issue of governance. Corruption drains resources. It’s said that up to 70% of oil revenue vanishes through mismanagement.
Cameroon also struggles with energy supply. Hydropower, especially from the Sanaga River, can’t meet demand. That’s a big problem for industries. In 2022, 70% of electricity came from hydro, but it still wasn’t enough.
Transport costs stay high. Iron ore from Kribi is expensive to ship because the rail system isn’t strong. That makes it harder to compete globally.
Prices on the world market don’t help either. In 2020, oil prices dropped during the pandemic. However, better ports and pipelines can speed up exports. The Kribi port upgrade alone could raise cargo capacity by 50%.
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Export Potential Of Cameroon’s Natural Resources
| Resources | Export Value | Key Export Market |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil | $1.2 billion | China, India |
| Cocoa | $563 million | Netherlands, Germany |
| Timber | $437 million | Europe, Asia |
| Natural Gas | $250 million | Europe, Africa |
| Bauxite | $62.5 million | China, India |
| Cobalt | $15 million | China, Europe |
| Processed Agricultural Products | $100 million | Europe, Africa |
Crude oil is still Cameroon’s top export. In 2024, it made up 33.3% of exports. China and India were the main buyers. However, oil production is dropping, which hurts export income.
Cocoa follows close. It brought in $563 million in 2024. The Netherlands buys a large share. Cameroon is working to grow more cocoa and also process it locally.
That way, exports can bring in more money. Sawn and rough wood exports were worth $437 million in 2024. The country wants to manage its forests better and boost sales of finished wood instead of raw logs.
Natural gas exports rose from 8.5% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2024. Cameroon also has strong bauxite and cobalt reserves, mainly at Minim-Martap and Nkamouna.
Processed farm goods, like cocoa butter and rubber, have new chances. Turning raw products into finished ones adds value. For example, transforming bauxite into aluminum or cocoa into chocolate can boost earnings by up to 300%.
Economic Impact Of Cameroon’s Natural Resources
Cameroon’s economy benefits greatly from its natural resources. Agriculture supports both income and employment. Mining brings in revenue but offers fewer secure jobs. Oil, cocoa, and timber bring in most of the country’s export money.
Contribution To GDP
In 2021, resource rents made up around 5.5% of the GDP. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing made up 17.29% of the GDP in 2023.
The industrial sector, which includes mining and manufacturing, added 25.53%. Services lead the way, making up 50.19% of the GDP, which is due to sectors like banking, trade, and telecom.
Job Creation
Natural resources help create jobs across different areas. Agriculture is the top employer, especially in rural places. It includes cocoa and coffee farming, both labor-heavy. Mining also adds jobs, but not as many.
Most mining jobs are informal. They don’t offer job security or benefits. This makes life harder for workers and adds to economic problems.
Export Revenue
Cameroon earns a lot from exporting its natural wealth. Crude oil leads the list, making up about 33.3% of all exports.
In 2023, cocoa exports were worth $563 million. The Netherlands is one of the biggest buyers. Timber is another key export.