Core Insights - The majority of businesses in Cameroon are locally owned, with 93.7% founded and 96.6% operated by Cameroonians, indicating a strong domestic entrepreneurial presence [1] - Nigeria holds a minor share of 0.9% in the business landscape, while foreign representation is minimal, with China, France, and other European countries maintaining some influence [1] - The third national business census recorded a significant increase in economic units, rising from 209,482 in 2016 to 438,893 in 2023, reflecting robust growth in the business sector [2] Business Ownership and Structure - 93.7% of enterprises are founded by Cameroonians, and 96.6% are operated by them, showcasing a strong local business environment [1] - Nigeria's share of businesses is declining, with only 0.9% of enterprises attributed to Nigerian nationals, indicating a shift in business demographics [1] - Foreign entrepreneurs, while fewer in number, hold a significant stake in company equity, particularly in sectors like extraction, energy, finance, and certain manufacturing [1] Economic Growth and Sector Distribution - The third census identified 438,893 economic units, with a notable concentration in Douala (33.0%), Yaoundé (19.7%), and the West region (9.7%) [2] - The overall business structure has shown vitality, with a growth rate of 109.5% from 2016 to 2023, maintaining momentum from a previous increase of 122.9% [2] - The tertiary sector comprises 85.6% of business units, a slight increase from 84.4% in 2016, indicating a stable service-oriented economy [2] - The primary sector saw a significant increase in enterprises, more than doubling from 353 to 1,469 due to the inclusion of small fishing and aquaculture activities in the census [2]