The structure of Cameroonian exports to Gulf countries has been profoundly reshaped in one year, marked by the rise of liquefied petroleum gas and the relative decline of wood.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and the General Directorate of Customs, Cameroon’s trade with Gulf partners remains highly concentrated. In 2024, five products, namely wood, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crude oil, gold, and diamonds, account for 98% of export revenues, compared to 90% a year earlier. This increased dependence is accompanied by a notable shift in growth drivers.
Long dominant, wood is losing ground. Exports of sawn and raw wood, which reached 4.29 billion CFA francs in 2023 (79% of flows), rise to 6.2 billion in 2024 but represent only 24% of the total. Conversely, LPG establishes itself as the flagship product. Its value climbs to 18.9 billion CFA francs in 2024, or 73% of revenues, after a marginal contribution of less than 2% the previous year.
Crude oil remains present without showing significant change, while gold and diamonds remain marginal in official statistics. This reshaping reflects a rise in energy exports, which redraws the revenue structure and increases sensitivity to hydrocarbon markets.
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