列国鉴丨记者观察：资源丰富 “微缩版非洲”喀麦隆在挑战中寻新机

Economic Overview - Cameroon, often referred to as "Africa in miniature," faces significant challenges in economic and social development due to international instability and terrorism threats [1] - The country has a diverse geography and rich natural resources, with a land area of over 470,000 square kilometers and a population exceeding 28 million [2] - Cameroon is known as the "granary of Central Africa," with fertile lands and a variety of agricultural products, including rubber, bananas, and palm oil [2] Resource Potential - The forest area in Cameroon covers 22.5 million hectares, accounting for approximately 46.3% of the country's land, with a timber reserve of 4 billion cubic meters [2] - The country has abundant water resources, with hydropower potential representing 3% of the world's total [3] - Major ports, such as Douala and Kribi, facilitate trade for neighboring landlocked countries [3] Historical Context - Cameroon has a complex colonial history that has led to divisions between English-speaking and French-speaking regions, resulting in ongoing social and political tensions [4] - The English-speaking regions, which make up about 20% of the population, have experienced significant unrest and conflict since 2017, leading to thousands of deaths and displacements [4] Economic Challenges - The rise of extremist groups like Boko Haram has severely impacted local communities and hindered development [5] - Fluctuations in international oil and gas prices have adversely affected Cameroon’s economy, with crude oil export revenues decreasing by 25.6% and liquefied natural gas revenues down by 33.3% year-on-year [5] Government Initiatives - The Cameroonian government is actively seeking economic transformation through a national development strategy for 2020-2030, focusing on manufacturing and agricultural modernization [6] - Key industrial projects are planned, including mining, aluminum production, and fertilizer manufacturing, to drive economic growth [6] - Infrastructure projects, such as the Kribi deep-water port expansion, aim to enhance the country's economic structure and facilitate the processing and export of raw materials [6] Political Landscape - The upcoming presidential election in October 2025 is anticipated to influence the political stability and economic trajectory of Cameroon, with the current president, Paul Biya, announcing his candidacy [7]