The economy of Cameroon keeps on showing quite a good number of results, in spite of the slowdown in 2005 : the GDP rate was 4.8% in 2003, and 2.8% in 2005. The IMF forecasts a 4.3% growth rate in 2006.

      This stabilization of the economy has led financial backers to lighten the external debt of the country. However, this dynamism is still fragile: the economy depends a lot on raw materials international prices, the oil production is declining, and a recurrent deficit is affecting the industrial production. Furthermore, Cameroon is still not able to attract sufficient foreign investments; the country is suffering from insufficient infrastructures and from one of the highest corruption in the world. The service industry sector accounts for 36% of GDP and benefits from the economic activity created around oil pipeline Doba/Kribi's exploitation, operational since July 2004. This oil pipeline is the hugest private project in Africa in which the World Bank has ever been involved.

      The economy of Cameroon is essentially agriculture based: agriculture sector employs 60% of the active population and contributes 44% to GDP. Cameroon has abundant natural resources available, which include wood, oil, gas and hydroelectricity. The manufacturing industry is growing quite actively.

      Cameroon essentially exports hydrocarbons and is widely open to imports. The country applies the Generalized Preferential Tariff of the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community). Its top import partners are France, Nigeria and Japan. Cameroon mainly imports machines, equipment goods, steel and cereals.