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
$1,574
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 top local universities in Cameroon are as follows:
Local: 1
World: 7854
Local: 2
World: 7947
Local: 3
World: 8726
Local: 4
World: 8904
Local: 5
World: 9243
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 | 1,549 |
| General Manager | 831,000 | 1,395 |
| Business Development Manager | 701,000 | 1,176 |
| Financial Analyst | 608,000 | 1,020 |
| Business Analyst | 574,000 | 963 |
| Project Manager | 526,000 | 883 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Cameroonjobs, Jobinfocamer, Njorku
1,041,000
Below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Cameroon
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.
The probation period for employees in Cameroon is up to six months.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Public Holiday |
| 11 Feb | Youth Day | Public Holiday |
| 12 Feb | Youth Day observed | Public Holiday |
| 29 Mar | Good Friday | Public Holiday |
| 31 Mar | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| 10 Apr | Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Public Holiday |
| 9 May | Ascension Day | Public Holiday |
| 20 May | National Day | Public Holiday |
| 17 Jun | Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) | Public Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption of Mary | Public Holiday |
| 16 Sep | The Prophet’s Birthday | Observance |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Public Holiday |
| 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 41,875 CFA 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
The 13th-month bonus is not mandatory for employers in Cameroon.
Taxes
| Contribution Type | Contribution (%) |
| Social Security | 4.2% |
| Housing Fund | 1.5% |
| National Employment Fund | 1% |
| Contribution Type | Contribution (%) |
| Social Security | 4.2% (capped at XAF 750,000 per month) |
| Housing Fund | 1% |
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% |
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.
| Overtime task during | Overtime pay |
| First 8 hours | 20% of the hourly salary |
| Second 8 hours | 30% of the hourly salary |
| The next 4 hours | 40% of the hourly salary |
| Sundays | 40% of the hourly salary |
| Night | 50% of the hourly salary |
