Dense equatorial forests cover over 16million hectares of Cameroon, with major wood types consisting of Adobe, Bubinga, Sapele, Doussie, Iroko, Moabi, Padouk, Okan, Kousipo, Dabema, Frake. Cameroon has stood out as a major exporter of wood to Europe and other parts of Africa over the years.

With the industrialization of the economy as a prime objective of her National Development Strategy, comes the measures being put in place by the government of Cameroon to deter the exportation of unprocessed wood in favour of the domestic Wood Processing Sector. Cameroon has progressively increased export duty for unprocessed wood from 17.5% to 75% between 2017 and 2023.

H.E. President Paul Biya in the preparation of the 2023/2024 budget, mandates the procurement of locally manufactured furniture for public establishments.

With the objective to increase the cost of imports and encourage the purchase of locally manufactured wooden furniture; Cameroon’s 2024 budget introduces a 25% excise duty on imports of wooden, metal and plastic furniture used in offices and general household equipment kit.

Furthermore, to facilitate the creation of industrial carpentry; Cameroon’s 2023 State budget exempts equipment used in wood processing from taxes.

With all these incentives, experts identify Cameroon’s wood processing sector as one of the most favorable investment sectors to consider in 2024.

MAGZI the agency in charge of Industrial land, has designated two zones in the East region covering a total of 224 hectares for local wood processing:

1. Doumé-Bonis (104 hectares)
2. Mandjo Kano (120 hectares).