- Welcome to Cameroon
- In the Commonwealth
- Facts and Figures
- Cameroon joined the Commonwealth in 1995
- Cameroon gained independence in 1960
- Cameroon has been competing in the Commonwealth Games since 1998, and has won 34 medals during this time
- Dr Nkwenti Davidson Achu is Vice-President of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association
- In spite of the riots over price increases in early 2008, Cameroon had experienced one of the lowest inflation rates on average in the Commonwealth and the lowest in Commonwealth Africa during 2003-2007, at 1.9% p.a
- Celebrated writers originating from Cameroon include:
– Ferdinand Oyono, who was born in Ebolowa, South Province, in 1929
– Mongo Beti, born in Akométan, Central Province, in 1932 and died in 2001 - Four Cameroon nationals have excelled in international football:
– Roger Milla was African Footballer of the Year in 1976 and 1990
– Samuel Eto’o, in 2003, 2004 and 2005
– Patrick Mboma, in 2000
– Lauren Mayer, came 2nd in 2000
His Excellency Mr Paul Biya
President of Cameroon
I am pleased to welcome you to the portal of the Republic of Cameroon at the website of the Commonwealth of Nations.
As you may already know, Cameroon is “Africa in miniature” as it spans the Atlantic Coast at the elbow of the Gulf of Guinea, passing through evergreen forests, going over rolling mountains with savannah vegetation that gradually fades into sandy lowlands that culminate at Lake Chad at the Northern tip of the country.
Cameroon has always been committed to peace, democracy and the prosperity of its people, values which are equally upheld by the Commonwealth. Under my stewardship the country has witnessed great strides in democracy and the respect of human rights, moving from the single party to multi-party politics since 1990. The recent creation of a national commission of human rights and an independent elections organ (Elections Cameroon) are testimony of the progress we have made.
The economic environment in the country is also very favourable for foreign investments as there are ongoing projects to update infrastructure and increase power supply to industries and households. My country is also home of the most admirable African soccer side, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
I wish you to learn more about the beautiful country that is Cameroon on this website.
Cameroon in the Commonwealth
did you know?
Commonwealth Projects
Visiting Professor in Accounting (2007/08)
A visiting professor was appointed by the Commonwealth Secretariat to teach a degree programme to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The expert also provided technical training to junior staff, undertook research and developed courses and programmes in accounting.
Expert Mission to Cameroon Elections (2007/08)
The elections, which were held on 22nd July 2007, were observed by a Commonwealth Observer Group. The team was tasked to assess the conduct of the 2007 elections and the general environment for the poll. The team assessed the conduct of the election management body and the plans for the establishment of a new election commission (ELECAM). The team’s report identified a strategy for Commonwealth engagement with Cameroon on the future establishment and capacity-building of ELECAM, as well as other necessary electoral reforms.
Establishment of an Independent Electoral Management Body (2005/06)
This was a commitment made by the Commonwealth to the President of Cameroon to assist in establishing an independent electoral management body.
Meeting of Cameroon’s International Partners (2003)
Two meetings of the Cameroon Commonwealth Commission were held to assess and discuss progress on the Cameroon reform agenda. The discussions focussed on electoral management, judiciary and prison systems, human rights, and decentralisation. The Commission presented reform proposals for funding to international bilateral and multilateral partners in support of the implementation of reform.
Population
Total area: 475,442 sq. km
Population in thousands (2015): 23,344
Population density (2015): 49 per sq. km
Proportion of population under 18 (2015): 49.1%
Proportion of population over 60 (2015): 4.8%
Proportion of population living in urban areas (2015): 54%
Economy
GNI in thousands (2015): US$30,717,189
GNI per capita (2015): US$1,320
GDP average annual growth (2011-15): 5.8%
Inflation, average annual (2011-15): 2.7%
Education
Proportion of pupils completing primary school (2014): 72.2%
Net enrolment rate (2014): 91.6%
Adult literacy rate (2015): 75.0%
Gross enrolment ratio all levels (2007-10): 11.5%
Primary pupil-teacher ratio (2011-14): 44
Secondary pupil-teach ratio (2011-14): 20
Public spending on education (2010-13): 3.0%
Gross tertiary enrolment ratio (2008-11): 11.9%
Health
Proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS aged 15-49 (2015): 4.5%
Under 5 mortality per 1,000 live births (2015): 71
Population with access to adequate sanitation facilities (2015): 45.8%
Population with access to an improved water source (2015): 75.6%
Life expectancy (2015): 55
Public spending on health per capita (2014): US$59
Public spending on health as a proportion of total public expenditure (2014): 4.3%
Medical doctors per 100,000 people (2009): 8
Nurses and midwives per 100,000 people (2009): 44
Environment
CO2 emissions per capita (2013): 0.3 tonnes
Overall change in annual CO2 emissions (1990-2013): 292%
Forest area as a proportion total land area: 41%
Overall deforestation since 1990 (2008): -18.1%
Energy use per capita (2010-13): 330kg of oil equivalent
Electric power consumption per capita (2010-13): 278 kilowatt-hours
ICTs
Landline telephones per 1,000 people (2015): 45
Cumulative growth/decline in landline telephones (2005-10): 437.8%
PCs per 1,000 people (2009): 11
Mobile subscribers per 1,000 people (2015): 718
Overall growth in mobile subscribers (2005-15): 478.9%
Internet users per 1,000 (2015): 207
Cameroon
in the Commonwealth Yearbook
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