The Cameroon government is reinforcing control over the export of its mineral resources, particularly iron ore and bauxite, as part of efforts to boost state revenue and promote local value addition.
The government of is reinforcing control over the export of its mineral resources, particularly iron ore and bauxite, as part of efforts to boost state revenue and promote local value addition. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Director General of Customs, Fongod Edwin Nuvaga, chaired a high-level consultation meeting with key actors from the mining sector at the General Directorate of Customs in Yaoundé. Representatives from the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development (MINMIDT), SONAMINES, and various customs divisions (DGD3, DGD7, DGD9) took part in the session.
For two hours, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between institutions to ensure better predictability, traceability, and tax collection in the export of extractive substances. Participants also presented proposals on new export tax rates for the state’s share of iron ore, bauxite, and crude oil. The goal: to maximize revenue and align the fiscal framework with the 2026 state budget.
The meeting ended with a joint resolution to consolidate the synergy between Customs, MINMIDT, and SONAMINES, ensuring tighter control and improved monitoring of mining exports. According to officials, this partnership will help Cameroon capture more value from its mineral wealth while fostering local processing rather than raw material exports. Cameroon is home to some of Central Africa’s most promising mining deposits. Major iron ore projects include Mbalam-Nabeba, Kribi-Lobé, and Bipindi-Grand Zambi.
The Mbalam-Nabeba site, straddling the border with Congo, is expected to become one of the largest iron ore producers in the world. The Kribi-Lobé deposit alone holds an estimated 630 million tonnes, while Bipindi-Grand Zambi inaugurated in September 2025 through a partnership with Chinese group Sinosteel adds significantly to national production capacity. Altogether, these sites are estimated to contain over 3 billion tonnes of iron ore.
In the bauxite sector, Cameroon’s reserves exceed 99 million tonnes of exploitable ore over 20 years, including over 100 million tonnes of high-grade bauxite with an alumina content of 51%. Ordinary bauxite reserves are estimated at 600 million tonnes. The Minim-Martap site, linked to an ongoing railway construction project toward the Port of Douala, will play a key role in future exports. By tightening export oversight and emphasizing local transformation, Cameroon aims to ensure that its mining boom translates into sustainable development, job creation, and higher domestic revenue.
By Saju LINDA
