Selling to the Government

Many governments, including Cameroon, finance public works projects through borrowing from multilateral development banks (MDBs). (Please refer to the “Financing of Projects” section for more details.) Cameroon holds observer status in the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement Committee.
Domestically, government procurement in Cameroon generally follows a public call for tenders and a competitive selection process, with contracts awarded and signed by government ministers and state-owned enterprises.  However, procurement can be influenced by political considerations, discretionary approvals, or informal practices, so outcomes may not always fully reflect formal rules.  

Government procurement contracts equal to or above $10,000 must go through an open tender process supervised by a contract awarding committee established by the Ministry of Public Contracts, which evaluates bids and advises the designated project owner on selection. International invitations to tender are sometimes published online and in local newspapers. Competitiveness in government procurement depends on factors such as price, value, and comprehensive service offerings, including training and after-sales support. While the government emphasizes cost-effectiveness, value-added services such as warranties and local staff training can enhance a company’s appeal.

Procurement processes are formal and require bidders to register with the Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ARMP) and submit detailed documentation. Despite efforts to improve transparency, challenges such as corruption, preferential treatment for local suppliers, and payment delays persist. Foreign businesses must navigate these issues, often requiring local representation or partnerships. Cameroon’s WTO membership provides some trade benefits, but procurement remains complex, especially for international firms.
Historically, Cameroon managed procurements almost entirely through central ministries, focusing on large-scale projects and using competitive—but often bureaucratic—processes that favored large or established local firms. 

Since the 2004 decentralization laws, there have been gradual shifts in authority and budgets to regional and local levels, creating new opportunities for investors.  Regional authorities now oversee local infrastructure projects with more flexibility, while local governments handle community-level procurement that often prioritizes smaller local businesses and uses less formal processes. Agencies such as FEICOM, Cameroon’s local development agency, receive larger budgets to execute community projects, giving U.S. firms more entry points for partnerships, subcontracting, and tailored solutions in markets that were once centralized.

One entry point for securing a government procurement contract is the public-private partnership (PPP) framework.  Cameroon has established a general legal framework for PPP contracts, allowing government project owners to grant contracts to private entrepreneurs following a mutual agreement to commence a project. Contracts for large infrastructure projects (roads, buildings, ports, dams) are subject to the control and monitoring of special committees in the Prime Minister’s Office.

U.S. firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, should understand that government procurement in Cameroon can take months, if not years, to complete. Cameroon’s consensus-driven decision-making process slows down procurement at all levels. On most projects, at least four government agencies (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Public Contracts, and the Autonomous Sinking Fund), in addition to the requesting ministry and the Presidency, must agree to move forward at every stage of development.

Cameroon is a member of the WTO but does not fully participate in the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), therefore limiting enforcement of international commitments for government procurement.  As a result, U.S. businesses may face challenges in accessing government procurement opportunities, especially given the lack of clear procurement rules under bilateral trade agreements with Cameroon.
U.S. companies bidding on foreign government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. 

Within the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, the Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters in competition with foreign firms in foreign government projects or procurement opportunities. The Advocacy Center works closely with our network of the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide and inter-agency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agency officials expressing support for the U.S. exporters directly to the foreign government.  Consult the Advocacy Center’s program web page on trade.gov for additional information.                         

Financing of Projects 

Cameroon funds its major infrastructure and development projects through domestic resources, bilateral loans, and substantial borrowing from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the IMF.  These institutions support initiatives in key sectors, including energy, transportation, water, healthcare, and education. Notable examples include the World Bank–backed Transport Sector Development Project and the AfDB-co-financed Lom Pangar Hydroelectric Project. The IMF’s Extended Credit Facility contributes to macroeconomic stabilization. MDB-financed projects typically follow international procurement procedures, creating opportunities for U.S. companies familiar with such bidding systems.

For investment financing, foreign investors can access local funding under non-discriminatory terms, but most prefer foreign financing due to Cameroon’s high local interest rates. The scarcity and costliness of domestic financing make favorable credit terms a key factor for local buyers of foreign goods, often outweighing considerations like product quality or sustainability. Exporters may offer up to 180-day payment terms to local buyers with international credit ratings from agencies such as COFACE (Compagnie Française d’Assurance pour le Commerce Extérieur), a global leader in credit insurance, business information, and debt collection. U.S. institutions such as the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) also support U.S.-linked projects in Cameroon, providing insurance and financing for investments with a U.S. ownership stake of 25 percent or more.

Multilateral Development Banks and Financing Government Sales

Price, payment terms, and financing can be a significant factor in winning a government contract. Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the MDBs. The Guide to Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks overviews how to work with MDBs. The International Trade Administration (ITA) has a Foreign Commercial Service Officer stationed at each of the five different MDBs:  the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the World Bank. 

Learn more by contacting:

• Commercial Liaison Office to the African Development Bank
• Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank