The Government of Cameroon has announced major reforms in the mining sector aimed at increasing national revenue, creating jobs and accelerating the country's industrialisation.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 15, during a joint press conference in Yaoundé by the Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, and the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi. The briefing focused on what officials described as the "new face" of Cameroon's mining sector following the launch of several large mining projects and reforms in the gold industry.
Speaking at the press conference, Minister René Emmanuel Sadi said the government is determined to make mining one of the country's main drivers of economic growth. He noted that Cameroon is entering a new phase in which its rich mineral resources will play a greater role in industrial development, job creation and improving the lives of citizens.
Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry described 2025 as a historic year for Cameroon, saying it marked the country's entry into the group of African nations with active large-scale industrial mining projects. He said the government has moved from exploration to production, with several projects already operating and others expected to begin soon.
Among the major projects already underway are the Bipindi Grand-Zambi iron ore project, where exports have started, the Kribi-Lobé iron ore project expected to begin exports in 2027, the Minim-Martap bauxite project in the Adamawa Region, the Bidzar marble project in the North Region and the Colomine gold project in the East Region. Other projects, including Mbalam, Nkout, Ngovayang, Mborguéné and Bibemi, are also expected to move into active development.
The Minister of Mines said the government is also restructuring the gold mining sector to improve transparency, fight illegal mining and smuggling, strengthen the tracking of gold production and ensure that more benefits reach the State and local communities.
According to government projections, the mining sector could generate more than CFAF 1 trillion in annual revenue for the State in the coming years. Officials believe this could eventually surpass the contribution traditionally made by the oil sector and become one of the country's biggest sources of income.
The government also stressed that developing the mining sector will encourage local processing of minerals instead of exporting raw materials. This, officials say, will create more industries, increase employment opportunities and add greater value to Cameroon's natural resources.
The joint press conference formed part of the government's efforts to keep Cameroonians informed about ongoing reforms and the expected economic impact of the country's growing mining industry. Officials expressed confidence that the reforms will attract more investment while ensuring that the exploitation of Cameroon’s mineral wealth contributes to sustainable national development.
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