• Cameroon leads global sawn Sapelli and Iroko exports, earning CFA122.2 billion in 2024

• Cocoa and rubber exports surge, reinforcing raw-material dominance amid modest processing gains

• Country retains low global export share, highlighting weak competitiveness in finished goods

Cameroon’s wood sector again emerged as the country’s main export driver in 2024. According to the latest competitiveness report released by the Competitiveness Committee, a think tank within the Ministry of Economy, Cameroon is the world’s leading exporter of sawn Iroko and Sapelli. It is the second consecutive year in which these two species have anchored the country’s export performance, confirming the strength and competitiveness of the national forestry industry.

Sawn Sapelli and Iroko exports generated CFA122.2 billion (about $217.1 million) in 2024. Sapelli accounted for the largest share, with sales of CFA73.9 billion, down from CFA84.6 billion in 2023, a decline of CFA10.7 billion. Despite the drop, no other producer outperformed Cameroon in this segment in 2024.

Exports of sawn Iroko improved slightly over the same period. The Competitiveness Committee reports sales of CFA48.3 billion in 2024, compared with CFA47.3 billion in 2023. The report notes an overall decline of about CFA1.0 billion in the value of these exports year on year.

Cocoa and rubber derivatives also show strong momentum

Beyond wood, Cameroon also holds notable positions in global cocoa and natural rubber markets, ranking in the top 10 exporters. In 2024, the country was the eighth-largest exporter of rubber and latex, with sales of CFA45.3 billion, up from CFA38.5 billion in 2023.

For cocoa, Cameroon ranked seventh worldwide for cocoa paste exports. Sales reached CFA180.5 billion in 2024, an increase of CFA83.3 billion over the CFA97.2 billion recorded in 2023. Cocoa butter exports generated CFA135.1 billion in 2024, placing the country ninth globally for this product. The value of these exports rose by CFA79.6 billion year on year.

These developments highlight the growing strength of Cameroon’s cocoa industry, supported by the arrival of new bean grinders in recent years. Alongside wood and rubber, cocoa has become one of the country’s main sources of export revenue.

Weak competitiveness in finished goods

Despite these advantages in primary or lightly processed products, Cameroon remains a minor player in global trade and has posted a structural trade deficit for several years. The Competitiveness Committee notes that in 2024, Cameroon ranked 116th among global exporters, with a market share of 0.002 %. In Africa, it was the 19th exporter, accounting for 1.1 % of the continent’s total exports.

Across major product groups, performance remains modest for processed goods. The report states that in 2024 Cameroon ranked 103rd for basic manufactured products and 131st for processed foods. For textiles, chemicals, leather goods, and minerals, the country placed below 70th worldwide. The findings underline a structural challenge: Cameroon continues to struggle to diversify its export base and move up the value chain to compete in finished and manufactured products.

The report highlights the contrast between strong raw material exports (wood, cocoa, rubber) and the persistent difficulty of developing a processing industry capable of capturing more added value and strengthening the country’s position in global value chains.

Brice R. Mbodiam, Business in Cameroon