• ECCAS
• OHADA

Cameroon Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)

• Overall Governance score: 42.9 (/100)
• Rank: 39th (out of 54 countries)

Estimated at approximately 29.32 million people in 2024, the total population of Cameroon has risen by around 20.51 million people since 1980.

The size of the informal sector in Cameroon was equivalent to 23.4% of GDP, representing about US$10 million in 2019, which was lower than the average of 29.2% for lower middle-income African countries.

The size of the informal sector is expected to decline to 20.8% (US$27 billion) by 2043 — a 2.6 percentage point decline over the 24-year period.

The expected decline in informality over the period will also lead to a reduction in the number of workers in the informal sector.

Cameroon has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1960.

The country participates in the Decent Work Country Programme.

Cameroon’s worker rights are protected by both national labour law and international human rights standards.

The legal framework includes:

• Constitution (Act No. 96/06 of 18 January 1996 revising the Constitution of 2 June 1972, amended and supplemented by Act No. 2008/001 of 14 April 2008)
• Labour Code (Act No. 92-007 of 14 August 1992)
• Various international treaties ratified by Cameroon, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

See sector-specific regulation below.

• Joint Order No. 035/METPS/MINEFI of 12 July 2002 setting out the terms and conditions for the implementation of Act No. 2001-017 of 18 December 2001 restructuring the procedures for the collection of social security contributions.

• Employers of domestic workers must submit a quarterly declaration to the Tax Office no later than the fifteenth day of the month following the quarter concerned. (Art. 6(4))

• Social security contributions due by employers of domestic workers and housemaids must be paid within the first 15 days of the month following the quarter to which they relate. (Art. 10)

• Decree No. 90-198 of 3 August 1990 determining the rates and basis of contributions due to the National Social Security Fund.

• Contributions for workers covered by the general scheme, including domestic workers, are 7% of wages. (Art. 1(1)(a))

• Decree No. 74-26 of 11 January 1974 concerning the organisation of social welfare.

• Employers of domestic workers may submit a quarterly declaration to the National Social Security Fund within the first twenty days following the relevant calendar quarter. (Art. 24(2))

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• Ministerial Order regulating Itinerant Trade (Commerce Ambulant), 1991.

• Act No. 2015/018 of 21 December 2015 governing trading activities in Cameroon.

• Applies to all traders, including street traders.

• Defines non-sedentary trade as “trading activity carried out on a street or from a mobile stall.” (Art. 4)

• Decree No. 93/720/PM of 22 November 1993 implementing Act No. 90/031 governing trading activities.

• Provides regulatory rules regarding hygiene, safety and tax compliance.

• Traders are classified into three groups, including Group III consisting of street traders, hawkers, buyam-sellam traders and petty restaurant operators. (Art. 4©)

• Municipalities must designate areas reserved for street traders and hawkers. (Art. 19(2))

• Municipal by-laws may establish pedestrian trading zones for street vendors and hawkers. (Art. 19(3))

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• Decree No. 2012/2809/PM of 26 September 2012 establishing the conditions for the sorting, collection, storage, transport, recycling and disposal of waste.

• Waste collectors, carriers and destroyers must provide information to sworn inspectors of the competent administrations. (Art. 30(2))

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Cameroonian labour law does not have specific legislation governing remote work.

General labour law principles apply and remote workers are subject to similar obligations as workers operating at employer premises.

• Labour Code (Act No. 92-007 of 14 August 1992)

• Where work is carried out at a location other than the contractor's premises, the contractor remains responsible for the payment of wages if the subcontractor becomes insolvent. (Art. 49(2))

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• Decree No. 2014-2377/PM of 13 August 2014 establishing voluntary coverage for old-age, disability and survivors’ pensions.

• The National Social Security Fund allows self-employed workers to obtain voluntary insurance coverage. (Art. 2)

• Act No. 77-11 of 13 July 1977 on compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.

• Self-employed persons may voluntarily join the occupational injury and disease scheme.

• Act No. 84/007 of 4 July 1984 establishing an old-age, invalidity and death insurance scheme.

• Self-employed persons may voluntarily subscribe to the pension scheme but must pay the full contribution themselves. (Art. 3(1))

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Farm work is governed by the general labour law framework.

• Labour Code (Act No. 92-007 of 14 August 1992)

• Agricultural work is limited to 2400 hours per year, with a maximum of 48 hours per week. (Art. 80(2))

• Decree No. 2024/0168/PM of 23 February 2024

• Sets the guaranteed minimum wage (SMIG) at FCFA 43,969 per month.

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• Act No. 2023/014 of 19 December 2023 relating to the Mining Code.

• Artisanal mining is reserved exclusively for Cameroonian nationals and requires an artisanal miner’s card and permit. (Art. 20)

• Decree No. 2024/05062/PM of 18 November 2024 regulating mining operations.

• Artisanal mining requires an individual artisanal mining card and licence issued by the Mayor.

• Decree No. 2024/05249/PM of 19 November 2024 specifying obligations attached to mining and quarry rights.

• Decree No. 2024/05061/PM of 18 November 2024 establishing procedures for issuing mining titles and permits.

• Decree No. 2024/05253/PM of 19 November 2024 establishing procedures for quarry operations.

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Self-employed taxi drivers are subject to laws regulating business licensing, taxation and vehicle standards.

Drivers may operate:

• independently
• or under a vehicle owner or transport business

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Cross-border informal trade in Cameroon operates within the broader regulatory framework governing external trade, customs and taxation.

The sector is particularly linked to trade within the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

• Act No. 2016/004 of 18 April 2016 governing external trade in Cameroon.

Informal cross-border trade (ICBT) remains a significant but often unrecorded component of regional trade.

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