Talent Wiki - Cameroon
Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Cameroon
Capital
Yaoundé
Currency
Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Languages
French, English
Payroll Frequency
Monthly, Weekly
GDP per Capita
$1584
Employer Tax
2.5%
Talent Overview
Cameroon, located in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, is a country rich in oils and minerals. Primary occupations in Cameroon are agriculture, mining, and commerce. Major industries in Cameroon are petroleum production and refining, textile, food processing, and aluminum production.
Major economic hubs:
Yaounde, Douala, Bameda, Bafoussam
Skills in demand:
Fashion Designing, Blogging, Photography, Web Design, Graphite Design
Local Universities
The below table mentions top local universities in Cameroon with ranks
Université de Yaoundé I
Ranking
Local: 1
World: 8158
Universite’ de Dschang
Ranking
Local: 2
World: 8178
University of Buea
Ranking
Local: 3
World: 8590
Universite’ de Ngaoundere
Ranking
Local: 4
World: 9306
Institut Catholique de Yaoundé
Ranking
Local: 5
World: 9317
Salary Data
Some common jobs with average monthly salaries are mentioned below:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (XAF) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Financial Manager | 923,000 | 1,499.90 |
| General Manager | 831,000 | 1,350.39 |
| Business Development Manager | 701,000 | 1,139.14 |
| Financial Analyst | 608,000 | 988.01 |
| Business Analyst | 574,000 | 932.76 |
| Project Manager | 526,000 | 854.76 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Top Local Job Boards
Cameroonjobs, Jobinfocamer, Njorku
Number of LinkedIn users
935,600
Top Recruitment Agencies
Employing in Cameroon
Below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Cameroon
Employee Contract
An employment contract in Cameroon must mention the period for which it is drafted. The currency of compensation must be XAF instead of a foreign currency. Employment contracts of more than three months must be written and not verbal.
Probation Period
The probation period for employees in Cameroon is up to six months.
Public and Provincial Holidays
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 2 Jan | New Year’s Day observed | Public Holiday |
| 11 Feb | Youth Day | Public Holiday |
| 7 Apr | Good Friday | Public Holiday |
| 22 Apr | Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Public Holiday |
| 18 May | Ascension Day | Public Holiday |
| 20 May | National Day | Public Holiday |
| 29 Jun | Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption of Mary | Public Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 25 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 5 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 14 weeks | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
The payroll cycle in Cameroon is Monthly or Weekly.
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Cameroon is set to 36,270 XAF per month.
Overtime Pay
The standard working week in Cameroon is a maximum of 40 hours per week. Overtime is legal and must be compensated as given below:
Bonus
13th-Month Pay
The 13th-month bonus is not mandatory for employers in Cameroon.
Employee Benefits
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- Maternity Leave
- Housing Fund
- National Employment Fund
Taxes
Employer Payroll Tax
| Contribution Type | Contribution (%) |
| Social Security | 4.2% |
| Housing Fund | 1.5% |
| National Employment Fund | 1% |
Employee Payroll Tax
| Contribution Type | Contribution (%) |
| Social Security | 4.2% (capped at XAF 750,000 per month) |
| Housing Fund | 1% |
Employee Income Tax
Income Tax in Cameroon ranges from 11%–38.5%, depending on the income.
| Annual Taxable Income (XAF) | Tax Rate (%) |
| 0 – 2,000,000 | 11% |
| 2,000,001 – 3,000,000 | 16.5% |
| 3,000,001 – 5,000,000 | 27.5% |
| Above 5,000,000 | 38.5% |
VAT
The standard rate for VAT in Cameroon is 19.25%.
Offboarding & Termination
Employment in Cameroon can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment based on substantial grounds such as gross misconduct, wilful insubordination, or breach of contract. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee.
The notice period in Cameroon for both permanent employees and employees on probation is one month.
Severance pay in Cameroon is mandatory for employees who are terminated after two years of service. The Ministry of Labor determines the amount for the severance.
Visa and Immigration
A work visa is mandatory for individuals traveling to Cameroon for employment purposes. For this, the candidate must present proof that they will be earning money in Cameroon and an employment contract. The candidate must also submit their CVs and a detailed job description for the visa, amongst other paperwork.
