Cameroon - Country Profile - indoafrican.org

General Information:

Area: 475,442 sq km (183,569 sq miles).

Population: 16,018,000 (2003).

Population Density: 33.7 per sq km (2003).

Capital: Yaoundé (constitutional). Population: 649,000 (1987). Douala (economic). Population: 810,000 (1987).

GEOGRAPHY: Situated on the west coast of Africa, Cameroon is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Guinea, to the northwest by Nigeria, to the northeast by Chad (with Lake Chad at its northern tip), to the east by the Central African Republic and to the south by Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The far north of the country is a semi-desert broadening into the vast Maroua Plain, with game reserves and mineral deposits. This is bordered to the west by the lush Mandara Mountains. The Benue River rises here and flows westwards into the Niger. The country to the northwest is very beautiful; volcanic peaks covered by bamboo forest rise to over 2000m (6500ft), with waterfalls and villages scattered over the lower slopes. Further to the south and west are savannah uplands, while dense forest covers the east and south. The coastal strip is tropical and cultivated. Cameroon derives its name from the 15th-century Portuguese sailor Fernando Po’s description of the River Wouri: Rio dos Cameroes (‘river of shrimps’).

Government: Republic. Gained independence in 1961. Head of State: President Paul Biya since 1982. Head of Government: Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge Mafani since 1996.

Language: The official languages are French and English. They are given equal importance in the Constitution but French is the more commonly spoken. Spanish is spoken in some urban centres. There are 24 major African language groups.

Religion: 53 per cent Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), 25 per cent traditional animist beliefs, 22 per cent Muslim.

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are round two-pin; bayonet light-fittings are used.

Telephone: IDD is available to and from Cameroon. Country code: 237. Outgoing international code: 00. International calls can be made from CAMTEL offices. Telephones can usually be found in post offices and restaurants, and there are telephone booths in the towns. Phonecards are available. The main towns in Cameroon are linked by automatic dialling, although this service is often unreliable.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network provides coverage mainly in Yaoundé, Douala and the southwest of the country. Network operators include Mobile Telephone Networks Cameroon (MTNC) and Orange Cameroun SA.

Internet: ISPs include Camnet (website: www.camnet.cm). Internet cafes, which are on the increase, exist in the main towns. Charges are significantly higher outside Yaoundé and Douala.

Telegram: Facilities are available at Yaoundé and Douala post offices and at larger hotels but service is slow.

Post: Stamps can only be obtained from post offices. Mail takes about a week to reach addresses in Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530.

Press: The main newspaper is the (government-controlled) Cameroon Tribune, published daily in French and English. Other English-language newspapers include the Cameroon Post (weekly), Cameroon Times (weekly) and The Herald (three times a week).

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Restricted entry: A yellow fever vaccination certificate must be presented on arrival by all travellers.

(a) nationals of Central African Republic, Congo, Mali and Nigeria for a stay not exceeding 90 days; (b) those in transit continuing their journey on the first or same aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward tickets and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Short-stay: £33.25 (3 months). Business: £33.25 (3 months); £66.50 (6 months). Transit: £33.25 (5 days). All visas are for multiple-entries.

Validity: Tourist and Short-stay visas are valid for up to 3 months; Business visas for up to 6 months. Transit visas are valid for up to 5 days.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Visas are also available on arrival for countries where Cameroon has no diplomatic representation.

Application requirements: (a) Passport valid for 6 months. (b) Two completed application forms. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever; (e) Return ticket or letter of confirmation from travel agent. (f) Copy of recent bank statement or letter from the bank verifying that applicant has sufficient funds. (g) For a business visa, a letter from applicant’s company and a letter from business partners in Cameroon that must be legalised by the local police. (h) Appropriate fee.

Working days required: 2 if the application is delivered in person; several for postal applications.

Temporary residence: Applicants must have Residence and Work Permits. Apply to Immigration authorities in Cameroon.

Currency: CFA (Franc de la Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Cameroon is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency exchange: Euros are the easiest currency to exchange. US Dollars are the next most acceptable. Travellers should bring cash in preference to travellers cheques.

Credit & debit cards: Major credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis (some airline offices and hotels will take them). Cards cannot be used in banks to obtain cash advances.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros -although it is possible to exchange Sterling travellers cheques. Commission rates tend to be high.

Currency restrictions: Import of local currency is limited to CFAfr20,000. Import of foreign currency is unlimited. Export of local currency is limited to CFAfr20,000 if travelling for touristic purposes, or CFAfr450,000 if travelling for business purposes. There is no limit on the export of foreign currency.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Duty Free: The following goods may be taken into Cameroon without incurring any customs duty:

400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 5 packets of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage; 5 bottles of perfume.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Feb 11 Youth Day. Apr 9-12 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Eid Milad Nnabi (Prophet’s Anniversary). May 20 National Day. May 21 Sheep Festival. May 29 Ascension. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 1 Unification Day. Nov 14-16 Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Feb 11 Youth Day. Mar 25-28 Easter. Apr 21 Eid Milad Nnabi (Prophet’s Anniversary). May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension. May 20 National Day. May 21 Sheep Festival. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 1 Unification Day. Nov 3-5 Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Djoulde Soumae (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Djoulde Soumae itself. Djoulde Soumae may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region.

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over 1 year of age.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Cameroon. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. In June 2004, 2924 cases of cholera were confirmed in Littoral to West Regions areas, since January of the same year. Although this has since abated, visitors should continue to monitor the situation. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. For more information, see the Health appendix.

3: Immunisation against diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid is recommended. Poliomyelitis is endemic and inoculation is advised. Vaccines are also sometimes advised for hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, rabies and tuberculosis.

4: Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.

Food & drink: Water precautions are recommended outside of main hotels but all water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is readily available. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Hepatitis B is hyperendemic in the region. Hepatitis A and E, dysentery, dengue fever and typhoid fever are widespread. Lassa fever may be spread via rat populations in rural areas. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) exists and cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis may be found in drier areas. Human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is reported in certain locations. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Meningococcal meningitis risk exists during the dry season (December to June) in northern areas. Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) has been reported. HIV/Aids is prevalent.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There are roughly 250 hospitals in Cameroon, although health facilities are not recommended to foreign travellers. Sanitation levels are low, even in the best hospitals and clinics. Facilities outside Yaoundé and Douala are extremely limited. International travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure.

Travel Warning: All travel to the border area with Nigeria is advised against (in the region of Bakassi Peninsula), since this area is still subject to a territorial dispute between the two countries and tensions are rife, with localised violent incidents often occurring with little warning. All non-essential travel to the border area with the Central African Republic is advised against. The border area with Congo (Rep) is closed. In addition, there is a danger of mugging and banditry in Cameroon, including car-hijacking and robbery, often armed and violent, particularly in Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi and Maroua. Jewellery and valuables should not be worn or carried in more isolated, poor regions of Cameroon (notably Yaoundé, la Briquetterie and Mokolo).

AIR: Cameroon’s national airline is Cameroon Airlines (UY). Other airlines serving Cameroon include Air France, Air Gabon, British Airways, Kenya Airways and Nigeria Airways. There are connections to many destinations across Africa, including regular flights to Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa and Togo. There are also direct flights, once a week, to Brussels and Zurich, as well as five flights per week to Paris.

Approximate flight times: From Douala to Paris is 6 hours 40 minutes; from Yaounde to Paris is 8 hours 35 minutes; from Douala to London is 9 hours 15 minutes.

International airports: Aeroports de Cameroon SA (ADC) oversees the seven airports, including Douala International, Garoua International and Yaoude Nsimalen International. Douala (DLA) is situated 10km (6 miles) southeast of the city. Taxis to the city are available at a cost of approximately CFAfr3000. Facilities include a duty-free shop, bar, post office, bank, shops and buffet/restaurant.

Yaounde Nsimalen International (NSI) airport is situated 25km (15.5 miles) from the city. Taxis to the city are available at a cost of approximately CFAfr3000 (travel time – 20 minutes).

SEA: Cargo boats from Douala to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) sometimes accept passengers. Speedboats and cargo boats ply the coastal route between Idendao (northern Cameroon) and Oron (Nigeria). However, these services are not regulated.

RIVER: There are ferry services across the Ntem River, on the border with Gabon. Pirogues also operate across this river to Equatorial Guinea.

RAIL: There is a rail route running from Douala to Nkongsamba, with a branch line leading off from Mbanga to Kumba. The Transcameroon railway runs from Douala to Ngaoudere, with a branch line from Ngoumen to Mbalmayo. There are plans to extend the rail network from Mbalmayo to Bangui in the Central African Republic.

ROAD: There are road connections to Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. Travel on these routes is rough, and should not be attempted in the rainy season. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Drivers should avoid travelling at night. Problems might be experienced at the borders with Gabon and the Central African Republic. Armed robberies have been reported in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the north and the far north (bordering Chad). Gendarmerie detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and Chad. The Trans-Africa Highway from Kenya to Nigeria is still under construction; the border area with Nigeria, neighbouring the Bakassi peninsula, should be avoided. The border with the Republic of Congo has been closed. Bus: Minibuses and bush taxis run from Yaoundé and Douala to all neighbouring countries (except where borders are closed). It may be necessary to change at the border.

Note: Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and bush-taxis, and visitors to Cameroon who rely on its transport are urged to remain vigilant.

AIR: This is the most efficient means of national transport. There are daily flights between Douala and Yaoundé; less regular flights to other interior towns, served by Unitair.

RAIL: Cameroon Railways (CAMRAIL) is the national service provider. Services are good, if relatively slow, and it is much quicker to go by train than by bus. There are daily services from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré on the ‘Gazelle du Nord’, that runs from Douala to Ngaoundéré via Yaoundé and Belabo. Daily trains also run from Yaoundé to Douala, with onward connections to Nkongsamba. Couchettes are available, as are first- and second-class seats. Trains usually have a restaurant car. Tickets must be booked on the day of travel.

ROAD: There are paved roads from Douala to Yaoundé, Limbé, Buéa, Bafoussam and Bamenda and between main centres. Other roads are generally poorly maintained and become almost impassable during the rainy season. Many vehicles are poorly lit and badly driven. Traffic drives on the right. Night driving is not recommended. Car hijackings and violent muggings are increasingly common, particularly in the three provinces of Adamaoua, the North and the far North, so sensible precautions should be taken. Driving on the Yaoundé/Douala trunk road should be avoided, since accidents are common there. Roadside assistance is non-existent. Travellers should consult official government advice services for further information about security while driving. Bus: Modern coach services are available between Yaoundé and Douala, Bafoussam and Bamenda, Foumban and Dschanga. Bus services also exist between other main centres and more rural areas but tend to be unreliable and are often suspended during the rainy season. Bus services also have a reputation for being dangerous, as road safety is not a priority for Cameroon drivers and accidents are common. Car hire: This is limited and expensive and is available in Douala, Yaoundé and Limbé, with or without a driver. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not a legal requirement but recommended, especially for those hiring a car. By law, a driving licence must be carried when driving; a Cameroonian licence can be obtained within 24 hours for a small fee.

URBAN: Taxis and share-taxis are available at reasonable fixed rates (none are metered). A 10 per cent tip is optional. City taxis do not generally comply with basic security norms and seatbelts are often absent. Violent assaults on taxi passengers are not uncommon, so the choice of taxi must be considered carefully. However, they are cheap and fast.

Travel times: The following gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Yaoundé.

HOTELS: Good accommodation of international standard is available in Bamenda, Douala, Garoua, Maroua and Yaoundé. The good hotels (government-rated 2-star and above) have air conditioning, sports facilities and swimming pools; most rooms have showers. Some large hotels will accept major credit cards. Rates are for the room only. Cheaper accommodation is also available. Campement accommodation, with two pavilions and individual rooms comprised of straw huts, is available just outside Waza National Park, north of Maroua in the far north of the country. Hotel facilities are in heavy demand; it is advisable for one to book in advance and obtain written confirmation of your booking. For more information on hotels in Cameroon, contact the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).

CAMPING: Permitted in Boubandjidah National Park, on the banks of Mayo Lidi River, and near the entrance of Waza National Park. Elsewhere, camping is considered unsafe due to the possibility of theft

Wildlife: There are seven national parks and several reserves, which offer excellent opportunities to see some of the richest flora and fauna in Africa. Antelopes, hartebeest, warthogs and lions are amongst the species inhabiting the parks, and there are also numerous types of birds. For further information, contact the Embassy/High Commission (see Contact Addresses section).

Photo safaris: A range of tours including photo safaris are organised by the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section): a 7- to 10-day tour of northern Cameroon sets out from Ngaoundéré and includes sports activities at Ngaoundaba Ranch, safari photography at Bénoué and Waza National Parks, visits to Garoua, the volcanic landscapes of Rhumsiki, the traditional village of Oudjila, the Maga Dam and a crafts workshop at Maroua, before returning to Garoua. An organised tour of western Cameroon and the Bamileke region sets out from Douala and includes visits to Nkongsamba coffee plantations, Batié and Dschang mountain towns, and Foumban with its museums of arts, crafts and culture, before returning to Douala.

Hiking and trekking: Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in West Africa and Africa’s highest active volcano, is a popular mountaineering destination. No special equipment is required but permits and guides are compulsory. The climb to the summit takes approximately 3.5 days; huts are available en route for accommodation. The best time to attempt the climb is in the dry season, between November and May. In Mindif, a park south of the northern town of Maroua, there is a huge rock known as Le Dent de Mindif, which is highly regarded for rock climbing. For those favouring really strenuous exercise, an international marathon is held annually at the mountain. Favourite hiking areas include the northern region near Mora (not far from the Nigerian border) and the highland area around Bamenda in the southwest. The Mandara Mountains west of Maroua are a good area for trekking. A permit is not required, but it is advisable to take a guide. A variety of trails, featuring coastal terrain, a focus on biodiversity, adventure or riverside terrain, are offered by Jungle Village in Limbe Botanic Gardens.

Other: Fishing is good in many rivers and coastal areas. Swimming in the sea and swimming pools of luxury hotels, which generally also have tennis courts, is available. A golf course is available to hotel residents in Yaoundé. Football is a very popular spectator sport.

Food & Drink: Local food is excellent; French or Lebanese cuisine is also available. Luxury items can be extremely expensive. The country abounds in avocado pears, manoic leaves, citrus fruits, pineapples and mangoes. Prawns are in plentiful supply in the south. Many dishes are served with rice, couscous or mashed potato. There are many restaurants in big towns and cities, with good service. Most international hotels have bars.

Nightlife: In Douala and Yaoundé particularly, nightclubs and casinos can be found independently or within most good hotels. Many clubs and discos play the popular dance rhythm Makossa, brought to international prominence in the early 1990s by Manu Dibango. There are also some cinemas. There are no licensing hours, and hotel bars stay open as long as there is custom.

Shopping: Local handicrafts include highly decorated pots, drinking horns, jugs, bottles and cups, great earthenware bowls and delicate pottery, dishes and trays, mats and rugs woven from grass, raffia, jewellery and camel hair or cotton and beadwork garments. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1800.

Special Events: Local entertainment troupes may be seen in most regional towns. For further information on special events, contact the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Cameroon:

Jan Mt Cameroon Race. Feb Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). Feb/Mar Tabaski. May 20 Cameroon National Festival. Nov Nso Cultural Week, including horse races through Kumbo; Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).

Social Conventions: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. In the north, where the population is largely Muslim, Islamic traditions should be respected. Visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In other rural areas, where traditional beliefs predominate, it is essential to use tact. Photography: Cameras should be used with discretion, particularly in rural areas. Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Do not photograph airports, military establishments, official buildings, or military personnel in uniform. Tipping: The average tip for porters and hotel staff should be about 10 per cent, otherwise service charges are usually inclusive.

Economy: Cameroon has enjoyed broad economic success since independence, by virtue of consistent agricultural performance and the rapid growth of its oil industry, although it has suffered some reverses through persistently low world commodity prices. The main agricultural products are cocoa (of which Cameroon is one of the world’s largest producers), coffee, bananas, cotton, palm oil, wood and rubber. There are sizeable but largely unexploited deposits of iron ore, bauxite, copper, chromium, uranium and other metals. Hydro-electric projects meet almost all the country’s energy needs, so that oil and gas are largely treated as export products. There are some offshore oil deposits, although the largest are located near the disputed Bakassi peninsula. Manufacturing industry is concentrated on processing of primary products – most of these are indigenous, although imported raw materials (such as Guinean bauxite, which feeds the aluminium industry) also play an important role. Wood and timber products, oil and coal, and food and drinks are the main sectors. During the 1990s, the government opened up much of the economy to competition. The economy has been growing steadily at an annual rate of approximately 5 per cent since 2000. France and The Netherlands are the major export markets, followed by Germany, the USA and fellow members of the Central African Customs and Economic Union, of which Cameroon is a member. The IMF agreed a structural adjustment programme with Cameroon in 1995; this was extended beyond the normal 3-year term and continues to set the ground rules for the country’s economic policy. The capital, Douala, now hosts one of sub-Saharan Africa’s few stock exchanges, which was opened in 2002.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1700. Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice on commercial information and on organising conferences and conventions: Chambre de Commerce, BP 36, Yaoundé (tel: 222 4776; fax: 222 155).

Climate: The south is hot and dry between November and February. The main rainy season is from July to October. Temperatures in the north vary. On the Adamaoua Plateau, temperatures drop sharply at night; the rainy season is from May to October. Grassland areas inland are much cooler than the coast with regular rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweight cotton clothes, canvas or light leather shoes or sandals. Rainwear is necessary for coastal areas.

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
OtherEU	Yes	Yes	Yes
Japanese	Yes	Yes	Yes

Date	Nov'03	Feb'04	May'04	Aug'04
£1.00	957.53	961.13	983.76	978.35
$1.00	564.26	528.01	550.79	531.06

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

	Air	Road	Rail
Bafoussam	0.50	3.30	-
Ngaoundéré	1.10	4.30	-
Bamenda	0.30	3.00	4.00
Douala	0.5	-	-
Dschang	2.30	18.0	-
Garoua	1.25	-	-
Koutaba	0.45	-	-
Kribi	1.00	-	-
Mamfe	3.45	24.0	-
Maroua	2.40	12.0	10.00