India - Cameroon Bilateral Relations
Political Relations
India and Cameroon have friendly and cordial relations dating back to the independence of the latter in 1960. India opened its resident High Commission in Yaoundé in 2019. Earlier, Cameroon was being looked after by the Indian Mission in Nigeria. An Honorary Consul is functioning in Douala since 2008.
Cameroon has also opened its Resident Mission in India.
Bilateral Visits
Trade and Commercial Relations
India and Cameroon signed a Trade Agreement in February 1968, thus laying the foundations for bilateral trade arrangements.
India was the third largest buyer of Cameroonian products in 2023-24. The figures for bilateral trade in the last few years are given below :
India – Cameroon Bilateral Trade Statistics (Value in US $ million)
Year |
India's Exports to Cameroon |
India's Imports from Cameroon |
Total Trade |
2015-16 |
191 |
558 |
749 |
2016-17 |
149 |
359 |
508 |
2017-18 |
194 |
213 |
407 |
2018-19 |
179 |
344 |
523 |
2019-20 |
228 |
676 |
904 |
2020-21 |
279 |
202 |
481 |
2021-22 |
403 |
806 |
1209 |
2022-23 |
553 |
550 |
1103 |
2023-24 |
454 |
788 |
1242 |
2024-25 (upto Nov 2024) |
294.01 |
291.10 |
585.11 |
There have been two visits by multi-sectoral delegations from the CII to Cameroon – in the months of April 2024 and September 2024. These visits have identified further areas of potential collaboration and investment.
There are about 60 Indian companies having their presence in Cameroon, mostly engaged in trading of general merchandise. Some of the prominent companies include Mahima group (general trading and retailing), Dee-Lite group (manufacturing of biscuits, plastics, supermarkets, imports from India) Olam group (Singapore-based group, engaged in import of rice and other products), Reddy Global (manufacturing of alcohol) and Africure (manufacture of pharmaceuticals). Indians have invested to the tune of US$ 25 million in plastics, carton, biscuits, smelting of scrap, bottling and distribution of alcohol. Jindal group has got concession in the area of Iron Ore mining from an Australian company. This Project involves a sizeable amount of investment.
Indian companies Tata Power, L&T, MBH, Transrail and Kalpataru are working in the power sector.
Indian company Africure Pharmaceuticals invested USD 28 million in Douala, to produce essential drugs for local consumption. Many other well-known pharma companies including Sun Pharma, Strides, Ajanta Pharma, Troika and Microlabs have their representative offices in Cameroon. Most of the Indians are in trading of consumer durables brands like LG & Hisense. An Indian company is engaged in distributing pickups (ISUZU) made in India.
Key potential areas for cooperation and investment are – Energy, Oil & Gas, agriculture, forestry, mining, Healthcare, Education, telecom, IT etc.
Tourism, especially medical tourism to India is becoming very popular in this country. Similarly, many students from Cameroon are opting India for higher studies.
Projects and related activities
In 2007, Government of India gifted 60 tractors and agricultural implements to Government of Cameroon.
Development Cooperation
(I) Lines of Credit & Commercial Loan Agreements
In May 2009, a $ 37.65 million Indian Line of Credit (LoC) for Cameroon funding a project each of Rice and Maize Farm Plantation was operationalized. This project was completed in 2017.
Another line of credit of US$ 42 million has been extended for purchase of agriculture machinery and equipment from India for the Cassava Plantation Project, for which the machinery has been supplied to Cameroon in 2024.
During the visit of Cameroon Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Mr. Louis Paul Motaze, to New Delhi from 29 January to 4 February 2017, Cameroon signed a commercial loan agreement with Exim Bank of India worth USD 93.50 million for construction of 225 kV Nkongsamba - Bafoussam and Yaounde – AbongMbang Transmission Line. This was funded through the Buyers’ Credit Scheme under the National Export Insurance Account (BC-NEIA) from India. The project was awarded to an Indian company “Kalpataru” in November 2019, and has been completed and handed over to the Government of Cameroon in November 2022.
(II) India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
In Cameroon, a project on Rural Household's Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Technologies has been carried out in the North and the Far North regions, from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The project was completed in December 2022 at a cost of US$ 1 million. The project has been considered a huge success, given that the area is remote and not easily accessible. The project has impacted around 12,000 people. It has also created awareness for the environment in the region. Five solar mamas were trained at the Barefoot College in Dakar, Senegal. They are not just helping maintain the equipment but also providing training to others.
(III) Capacity Building
India has been supporting Cameroon’s efforts in Capacity building under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program since 1964. The Government of India is also providing over 180 ITEC slots annually for capacity building to Cameroon. 3 slots have been allocated to Cameroon under the Africa Scholarship Scheme of ICCR.
(IV) Trilateral project
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Cameroon joined the International Solar Alliance, an inter-governmental organization established in India, in 2022.
Culture
After the establishment of the High Commission in September 2019, International Day of Yoga is being celebrated every year. The High Commission celebrated the first World Meditation Day in December 2024, in association with the UNESCO Office. Indian movies also continue to be popular in Cameroon and regular screening is organized at theatres too. Ms. Divya Raturi, a Kathak exponent, performed at the Republic Day 2025 celebrations. Regular troupes are being sponsored from Cameroon to take part at the Surajkund Craft Mela.
Voice of Global South Summit
Hon’ble Minister of Public Health of Cameroon Dr. Manaouda Malachie on 13 January attended Health Ministers’ session of VOGSS and delivered his message on Co-operation to build a resilient health system under special virtual Summit on 12-13 January organized by the Ministry under the theme "Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose” envisages bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform.
Prof. Wilfred N. Gabsa, Secretary General of Ministry of Higher Education, attended the second COGSS held in November 2023.
Indian Community
There are about 1200 Indian expatriates in Cameroon, contributing actively socially and economically. Shri J. Ravikumar, Honorary Consul of India in Douala has been conferred with prestigious Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award in 2021.
Visa Procedures
India and Cameroon both have e-visa facility for nationals of each other’s country. Indian visa can also be obtained from the High Commission of India in Yaoundé.
February 2025