In response to numerous criticisms from professional association representing private sector
regarding the April 18 th 2013 law on incentives to private investment in Cameroon, the President
of the Republic has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s incentive framework
previously outdated, ill-suited, and misaligned with the prevailing socio-economic context and
governmental directives. This reform was enacted through Ordinance No. 2025/002 of July 18 th
2025, establishing a new investment incentive regime in the Republic of Cameroon. This new
ordinance retains broadly similar objectives to the 2013 law namely, to promote and attract
productive investments aimed at driving sustainable economic growth and fostering employment.
Additionally, it constitutes a substantive restructuring of the system and stands as a modern and
strategic tool for boosting and streamlining investment in Cameroon. The new legal framework
refocuses incentives on “new projects” and “expansion projects” in strategic sectors, and
introduces a range of innovations. These include new tax credits up to 80%, tax and customs
duties reductions and exemptions, as well as financial and procedural facilitations. Among its
most significant innovations, the text introduces a fresh categorization of incentives based on
project scale, expands the scope of eligible beneficiaries, and redefines the eligibility criteria for
accessing these benefits. This naturally raises the question: who exactly stands to gain from this
new incentive regime, and what are the precise conditions for qualifying? This article therefore
seeks to outline the scope of new investment incentives and the eligibility requirements as
redefined by the 2025 Presidential Ordinance.
To address imbalances created by the 2013 law and meet the expectations of the private sector,
the July 2025 ordinance has restructured the scope of investment incentives in Cameroon by
clearly defining eligible beneficiaries, sectors, and exclusions. First, regarding beneficiaries, in
addition to Cameroonian or foreign individuals and legal entities whether resident or non-resident
already provided for under the 2013 law, the ordinance now includes state-owned enterprises
operating in competitive sectors. The new incentive regime is also extended to: Economic zone
managers and investors operating within such zones; Public–private partnership (PPP) co-
contractors engaged in the design, execution, and operation phases of investment projects.
Secondly, for eligible sectors, Article 3 (1) of the 2025 ordinance defines, in line with “national
strategic priorities,” a comprehensive list of eligible sectors. While maintaining certain areas from
the 2013 law such as agriculture, tourism and leisure, water, and energy the ordinance now adds
new sectors notably: automotive industry; Education and healthcare; Digital data storage and
processing infrastructure. This demonstrates a deliberate expansion of coverage to include
strategic sectors previously out sided from the 2013 law. Finally, regarding excluded sectors,
Paragraph 2 of the aforementioned Article 3 bars from the incentive regime, sectors governed by
specific legislation, markedly: upstream petroleum, mining, gas, as well as commerce and
distribution. Certain sectors previously covered under the 2013 law can no longer benefit from
incentives, such as packaging and storage of plant, animal, and fishery products, and the social
economy and handicraft sector.
Another major innovation in the July 2025 ordinance is its redefinition of both common and
specific eligibility criteria. For Common Eligibility Criteria, Article 6(1) specifies that only
investors carrying out a duly authorized activities are eligible. In addition, the investor must
present a program for developing local skills, transferring technology, and prioritizing the
recruitment of Cameroonian workers; give preference to local subcontractors and suppliers; and
provide documented proof of secured financing sufficient to cover all projected investment costs.
For specific criteria, these vary depending on whether the project is new or an expansion. In case
of new projects, companies must henceforth meet at least two of the following: create direct jobs
for Cameroonians during both setup and operational phases, with a minimum job threshold per
XAF 50 million tranche of planned investment; increase value-added by at least 30%; use
national natural resources for at least 50% of input value in industrial projects; for large-scale
retail infrastructure, guarantee that at least 40% of products sold are Cameroonian-made.
Concerning Expansion Projects, Article 8 (2) requires an increase in production of goods and
services by at least 20% compared to pre-agreement levels. In addition, companies must meet at
least one of the following: Create jobs and use local natural resources under the same thresholds
as new projects; as well as increase workforce by at least 20% compared to pre-project staffing
levels.
In summary, the Ordinance of July 18 th 2025, reflects a deep reform of the investment incentive
regime in Cameroon. This new legal framework, comprising around fifty articles, brings a host of
important innovations. Among the most notable, the text broadens the scope of benefits by
incorporating new beneficiaries and new sectors of activity not included in the repealed 2013 law.
Furthermore, the text revises the eligibility conditions for the granted benefits by distinguishing
between common criteria and those specific to different types of projects and certain investors.
This reform is positioned as a turning point for Cameroon’s business environment addressing the
shortcomings of the former law, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and fostering stronger,
more sustainable economic growth.
Author: Didier Ozoto, Tax and Legal Consultant; Supervisor: Albert Désiré Zang, Managing
Partner