According to a note from the National Institute of Statistics, trade between Cameroon, Iran, and the Arab Gulf States remains marked by a structural imbalance, accentuated by recent geopolitical tensions.
Cameroon remains a net importer in its trade relations with Iran and the Arab Gulf countries. According to a note from the National Institute of Statistics, the trade balance with these partners shows a persistent structural deficit. In 2024, this stood at 156,7 billion FCFA, down after the peak of 231,58 billion recorded in 2023.
This dependence occurs within a tense international context. Since February 28, 2026, a joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran has led to a response from Tehran targeting both Israel and several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and especially the United Arab Emirates. This escalation, concentrated in the Middle East, weighs on global economic balances.
For Cameroon, the first identified transmission channels concern the rise in petroleum product prices and the increase in maritime transport costs. At this stage, the extent of direct and indirect effects remains difficult to measure, but inflationary pressures could intensify.
The National Institute of Statistics note examines these dynamics through two lenses. On one hand, it analyzes the weight of trade with the Gulf States, detailing the value and nature of the flows, largely dominated by imports of hydrocarbons and derived products. On the other hand, it looks at remittances from the Middle East, a significant source of foreign currency for the Cameroonian economy.
In an uncertain international environment, the persistence of the trade deficit highlights Cameroon’s vulnerability to external shocks and revives the question of diversifying its partners and its production base.
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