WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  
 
30 April 2024  
(24-3489) Page: 1/410 
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT  
COUNTRIES OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY COMMUNITY (CEMAC ) 
Revision  
This report, prepared for the second Trade Policy Review of the countries of the Central Africa n 
Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)  that are Members of the WTO , has been drawn up by 
the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement 
establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrak esh Agreement Establishing 
the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from CEMAC  on its trade policies and practices.  
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr Jacques Degbelo 
(Tel.:  022739 5583); Mr Arne Klau (Tel.:  022 739 5706); Mr Pierre Latrille (Tel.: 022 739 5266); 
Mr Mukela Luanga; Mr Michael Kolie (Tel.: 022 739 5931); Ms Alya Belkhodja (Tel.: 022 739 5162) 
and Ms Marie -Bel Martinez -Hommel (Tel.: 022 739 5201).  
 
Document WT/TPR/G/445 contains the policy state ment submitted by the CEMAC  countries . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: This report was drafted in French.  
  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  CONTENTS  
SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  6 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
1.1   Main features of the economy  ................................ ................................ ........................  9 
1.2   Recent economic developments  ................................ ................................ ..................... 11 
1.3   Developments in trade a nd investment  ................................ ................................ .......... 12 
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade ................................ ................. 12 
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI ................................ ................................ ......................... 13 
1.4   Outlook ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 13 
2   TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES ................................ ................................ ............  14 
2.1   CEMAC ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 14 
2.1.1   CEMAC's organizational and institutional framework ................................ ...................... 14 
2.2   CEMAC in practice  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 15 
2.3   Trade agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ ............. 17 
2.3.1   WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 17 
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ......... 22 
2.3.2.1    African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area ................................ .......... 22 
2.3.2.2    Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) ................................ ............. 23 
2.3.2.3    Community of Sahel -Saharan States (CEN -SAD)................................ ........................ 23 
2.3.3   Other agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ .......... 24 
2.4   Investment regime ................................ ................................ ................................ .......24 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  ................................ ........................  27 
3.1   Measures directly affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ................ 27 
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  ................................ ........................ 27 
3.1.1.1    Registration  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 27 
3.1.1.2    Preshipment inspection  ................................ ................................ ........................... 27 
3.1.1.3    Customs declaration  ................................ ................................ ............................... 28 
3.1.2   Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 29 
3.1.3   Tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 30 
3.1.3.1    Common External Tariff  ................................ ................................ .......................... 30 
3.1.3.2    Bound tariff  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 33 
3.1.3.3    Duty and tax concessions  ................................ ................................ ........................ 33 
3.1.3.4    Tariff preferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...35 
3.1.3.5    Other import duties and taxes  ................................ ................................ ................. 35 
3.1.4   Internal taxes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 35 
3.1.4.1    Value added tax  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....35 
3.1.4.2    Excise duty  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 36 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ ............................. 36 
3.1.6   Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures  ................................ .................. 36 
3.2   Measures directly affecting exports  ................................ ................................ ................ 37 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.2.1   Registration and customs procedures  ................................ ................................ .......... 37 
3.2.2   Export taxes, charges and levies ................................ ................................ ................. 37 
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ .............................. 37 
3.2.4   Export promotion and free zone regime  ................................ ................................ .......37 
3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees ................................ ................................ ...38 
3.3   Measures affecting production and trade  ................................ ................................ ........ 38 
3.3.1   Standards and other technical requirements  ................................ ................................ 38 
3.3.2   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements ................................ ................................ .....38 
3.3.3   Competition policy and price controls  ................................ ................................ .......... 40 
3.3.4   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  ................................ .............. 41 
3.3.5   Government procurement  ................................ ................................ .......................... 41 
3.3.6   Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ......................... 42 
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  ................................ ................................ ......................  44 
4.1   Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries  ................................ ................................ ....44 
4.1.1   Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 44 
4.1.2   Community agricultural policies  ................................ ................................ .................. 44 
4.1.2.1    The Common Agricultural Strategy  ................................ ................................ ........... 45 
4.1.2.2    Food securi ty programmes  ................................ ................................ ...................... 46 
4.1.3   Policy by subsector ................................ ................................ ................................ ....46 
4.1.3.1    Cotton ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 46 
4.1.3.2    Sugar ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 47 
4.1.3.3    Livestock  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 47 
4.1.3.4    Forestry sector ................................ ................................ ................................ .......48 
4.1.3.5    Fisheries ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 48 
4.2   Mining and energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......49 
4.2.1   Petroleum and gas products  ................................ ................................ ....................... 49 
4.2.2   Other mining products  ................................ ................................ ............................... 50 
4.2.3   Energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 50 
4.3   Manufacturing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 51 
4.4   Services ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 52 
4.4.1   Horizontal liberalization of services at regional level  ................................ ...................... 52 
4.4.2   Telecommunications services ................................ ................................ ...................... 53 
4.4.3   Transport services ................................ ................................ ................................ .....54 
4.4.3.1    Air transport services ................................ ................................ .............................. 55 
4.4.3.2    Maritime transport an d port services  ................................ ................................ ........ 55 
4.4.3.3    Land transport infrastructure and services  ................................ ................................ 56 
4.4.4   Tourism services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......57 
4.4.5   Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......58 
4.4.5.1    Insurance services ................................ ................................ ................................ ..58 
4.4.5.2    Banking and other financial services  ................................ ................................ ......... 59 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.4.5.2.1    Economic and institutional characteristics of the sector ................................ ............ 59 
4.4.5.2.2    General regulatory fram ework governing banking activities ................................ ......60 
4.4.5.2.3    Microfinance institutions (MFI)  ................................ ................................ .............. 61 
4.4.5.2.4    Financial markets  ................................ ................................ ................................ 61 
4.4.5.2.5    Credit bureaux  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....62 
4.4.5.2.6    Payment systems  ................................ ................................ ................................ 62 
5   APPENDIX - TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 64 
ANNEX 1: CAMEROON  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 68 
ANNEX 2: CONGO ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  144 
ANNEX 3: GABON ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  216 
ANNEX 4: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC  ................................ ................................ ....... 294 
ANNEX 5: CHAD  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  358 
CHARTS  
Chart  3.1 Distribution of MFN duties by sector, 2023  ................................ ............................... 32 
Chart  3.2 CEMAC CET rate escalation, 2023  ................................ ................................ ........... 33 
 
TABLES  
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2012 -21................................ ................................ ..........  9 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2012 -21 ................................ ................................ ............... 12 
Table 2.1 CEMAC specialized bodies and institutions ................................ ................................ 14 
Table 2.2 Status of submissions of customs tariffs and foreign trade statistics, 2013 -22.............. 17 
Table 2.3 Notifications made to the WTO by CEMAC member countries, 2013 -April 2023 ............ 18 
Table 2.4 Trends in various indicators relating to the business environment, 2012  and 2020
 ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 26 
Table  3.1 Preshipment inspection companies and related fees  ................................ .................. 27 
Table  3.2 Structure of the CEMAC CET, 2013 and 2023  ................................ ........................... 30 
Table  3.3 Summary analysis of the CEMAC CET, 2023  ................................ ............................. 31 
Table  3.4 National tariff bindings  ................................ ................................ ........................... 33 
Table 3.5 Pesticides approved in the CEMAC zone  ................................ ................................ ...39 
Table 3.6 Subject matter and terms of protection under the Bangui Agreement  ......................... 42 
Table 3.7 Number of patent and trademark applications from CEMAC member States filed 
with the OAPI, 2013 –2018................................ ................................ ................................ ....43 
Table 4.1 Main agricultural products, 2012 –21................................ ................................ ........ 44 
Table 4.2 Sugar production, 2012 and 2020  ................................ ................................ ........... 47 
Table 4.3 Fishery sector indicators, 2012 and 2020  ................................ ................................ .48 
Table 4.4 Electrical infrastructure projects planned under the Regional Economic Programme, 
2017–2022  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 51 
Table 4.5 Manufacturing value added, 2000 -21................................ ................................ .......51 
Table 4.6 Degree of exposure to competition of various types of telecommunications services 
in CEMAC member countries, 20 20................................ ................................ ........................ 53 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Table 4.7 Total life and non -life insurance premiums in the CEMAC zone, 
2011,  2015 and 2020  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 58 
Table 4.8 Insurance sector indicators in the CEMAC zone, 2020 ................................ ................ 58 
Table 4.9 Leading balance sheet aggregates of banks in the CEMAC zone, 2012  and 2016-20
 ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 59 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1.1 Structure of exports (extra -CEMAC), 2012 -21 ................................ ........................ 64 
Table A1.2 Destination of exports, 2012 -21................................ ................................ ............ 65 
Table A1.3 Structure of imports (extra -CEMAC), 2012 -21 ................................ ........................ 66 
Table A1.4 Origin of imports, 2012 -21 ................................ ................................ ................... 67 
 
 
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  SUMMARY  
1. Of the six countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), 
five are Members of the WTO and are covered by this report prepared for their second joint trade 
policy review, namely Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, the Cent ral African Republic 
(CAR) and Chad. The sixth country, Equatorial Guinea, submitted its request for accession to the 
WTO in 2007 and the process is still ongoing. The six CEMAC countries form a market of 65 million 
people spread over an area of 3  million  km2, with vast natural resources. They do not all have the 
same level of economic development, but they do face several of the same challenges, including low 
levels of human development, food insecurity and a heavy reliance on commodities.  
2. The regional eco nomy has a very low degree of diversification and depends heavily on natural 
resources, including oil and timber. Oil activities attract the majority of private investment, including 
foreign investment, in the region, with the exception of the Central Afri can Republic. Oil accounted 
for around a quarter of CEMAC's  gross domestic product (GDP), some two thirds of total exports and 
42% of budgetary revenues in 2019, figures which were down compared to 2012. Most of the oil 
production occurs in Congo (40.4%), Gabon (21.5%) and Equatorial Guinea (16.7%). With the 
exception of Chad, timber remains the most important export of the other countries. A lack of 
investment means that other natural resources are underexploited.  
3. The sharp drops  in oil revenues, caused by  falling prices and production over the last decade, 
have weakened the regional economy and contributed to lower foreign -exchange reserves. The 
consequences of the COVID -19 health crisis and the war in Ukraine have also played a role in slowing 
CEMAC econo mic activity and fuelling inflation. However, CEMAC's trade balance has remained in 
surplus, oil exports continue to be substantial, and exports of timber and gold, particularly to Asia, 
have increased significantly. As for intra -CEMAC trade, it remains lo w (3.5% in 2019) due, in part, 
to the structure of exports, the countries' weak industrial fabric, underdeveloped transport and 
communication infrastructure, non -tariff barriers, and the States' failure to implement certain 
Community provisions.  
4. The servic es sector accounts for close to 50% of the GDP of CEMAC, followed by the mining 
and energy sector (nearly 20%), the agricultural sector (around 12%) and the manufacturing sector 
(11%). Despite its small contribution to GDP, the agricultural sector is still  significant as it employs 
between 29% and 69% of the labour force. Structural weaknesses persist and explain, not only the 
lack of sectoral integration within the economy, particularly for processing local raw materials, but 
also, at the regional and glob al levels, why the region basically only exports commodities. These 
weaknesses stem largely from the unfavourable business climate, and inadequate institutional 
framework, infrastructure, public services, financial markets and regional integration.  
5. The CEMAC countries continue to submit very few notifications to the WTO of their trade 
policies and practices. They have never been involved in a WTO dispute, either as a complainant or 
as a respondent. Non -payment of contributions is a factor limiting th e effective participation of some 
of these countries in the activities of the WTO.  
6. The six CEMAC countries also belong to the Economic Community of Central African States 
(ECCAS), the integration process of which has stalled since it was founded in 1983. A ll the CEMAC 
countries have signed and ratified the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade 
Area (AfCFTA). They have also all signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the 
European Union, although to date only Cameroon has rati fied it.  
7. In an effort to attract more private investment, including foreign investment, the CEMAC 
Investment Charter seeks to create a business -friendly environment by implementing competition 
regulations, protecting intellectual property and developing su pport services. It provides for a 
reduction in  registration fees linked to company formation, capital increases, mergers, or  transfers 
of stocks and shares. Pursuant to the Charter, the CEMAC States undertake to grant foreign 
investment the same treatment as domestic investment, and to adapt domestic law and judicial 
policy to CEMAC's rules and provisions.  
8. The common external tariff (CET) of CEMAC countries comprises 6,064 10 -digit lines and 
five bands ( 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30%), with an average rate of 18. 3%. This relatively high 
average inhibits competition and, therefore, does nothing to encourage efforts to improve WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  competitiveness or to allocate resources efficiently. All in all, the CET, with its mixed escalation and 
high rates, together with economies'  structural weaknesses, is not conducive to the vertical 
diversification of products or the integration of the countries and the region into global value chains. 
Moreover, the CET is subject to numerous exceptions which the countries grant unilaterally, fu rther 
complicating the tariff's real structure.  
9. The CEMAC countries have individually made tariff -binding commitments within the 
multilateral trading system which the CET does not always respect. In addition, the  CET rates applied 
on some products are high er than the commitments undertaken by Congo, Gabon and the 
Central  African Republic. Since the last review and as part of a renegotiation under Article XXVIII of 
the GATT, Gabon has significantly reduced the number of rates applied that are higher than its  
commitments.  
10. Agriculture (as defined in ISIC, Rev. 2) remains the most protected sector (23.6%), followed 
by manufacturing (17.9%), and mining and quarrying (11.2%). The products with the highest levels 
of tariff protection include apparel (30%), coffee a nd tea (28.5%), beverages and tobacco (27.5%), 
and fruit, vegetables and plants (26.7%). Overall, the CET displays mixed escalation: negative for 
unprocessed to semi -finished products, and positive for semi -finished to finished products.  
11. Within CEMAC, each  country is free to choose its standard VAT rate from within a range of 
15% to 19%. A zero rate is applicable to exports, their accessories and international transport. The 
VAT directive establishes a list of goods and services eligible for exemption. This  includes, 
in particular, local products, imports of duty -free goods (in accordance with the provisions of the 
Customs Code), certain goods and services regarded as basic necessities, and some pharmaceutical 
products and medical equipment. The directive pr ohibits any relief or  exemption measure not on 
this list, including in the form of incentives to start up a  business or to invest. However, 
CEMAC  member countries may levy a lower VAT rate (between 5% and 10%) on certain products.  
12. A directive adopted in 20 19 sets out a list of products on which excise duty may be levied. 
Each country is free to draw up its national list based on the directive list. However, the national list 
must necessarily include tobacco, alcoholic beverages and passenger vehicles.  
13. Within CEMAC, with the exception of the free trade zone requirements, there are no provisions 
on export support and promotion. The CEMAC Customs Code grants member States the right to 
establish industrial or  commercial free zones outside the customs regime. Goo ds admitted to 
commercial free zones shall be allowed to undergo operations necessary for their preservation, to 
improve their packaging or marketability, or to prepare them for transport. On the other hand, the 
processing operations applicable to goods in  industrial free zones are covered by national  legislation.  
14. The CEMAC Investment Charter provides for the establishment of a standardization, metrology 
and certification system in each country, as well as at the Community level. At the national level, 
the countries are at different stages of setting up and putting into operation the national body 
responsible for quality or standards. Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations are not yet 
harmonized within CEMAC. However, there is a CEMAC regulation on pes ticide approval. The 
CEMAC  countries lack the resources to implement their SPS provisions effectively.  
15. The CEMAC countries are members of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), 
which provides them with the legal framework for the protection  of intellectual property rights on 
patents, utility models, trademarks and service marks, industrial designs, trade names, geographical 
indications, copyright and related rights, as well as protection against unfair competition. Within 
CEMAC, most of the patent and trademark applications were made by residents of Cameroon.  
16. Apart from a few service sectors, sectoral policies have not been harmonized within CEMAC. 
Thus, agricultural policies continue to be set nationally and their trade components are mainly  
governed by the CET, with the notable exception of sugar, imports of which are highly regulated. 
The sector does not have the same economic importance in all the CEMAC countries and, in general, 
receives very limited support. Agricultural value added as a  percentage of GDP varies significantly 
from one country to another, from 17% in Cameroon to 50% in Chad. Agriculture employs a 
substantial proportion of the population in most CEMAC countries, ranging from 29% in Gabon to 
69% in Chad. However, the sector accounts for only around 14% of export earnings, due to the 
relatively greater weight of oil exports.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  17. Livestock farming remains a key sector and is one of the pillars underpinning CEMAC's efforts 
to accelerate economic growth and achieve the objectives set  in its Regional Economic Programme 
(PER). The region has around 44.7 million head of cattle, 46 million head of sheep, 56 million goats, 
3.5 million pigs, and 75 million head of poultry. Between 35% and 40% of the population in the 
north of the region (Ch ad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic) are involved in livestock 
farming activities.  
18. With the exception of the Central African Republic, all the CEMAC countries are oil exporters. 
In 2021, subregional production (excluding Equatorial Guinea) was es timated at 35.4 million tonnes 
of crude. The oil industry is generally open to foreign investment. The oil sector no longer has the 
same weight in the economies of the region. Meanwhile, the CEMAC economic policy aims to exploit 
the region's energy potenti al and to interconnect the electricity networks in order to create a regional 
electricity market by 2025. Access to electricity remains limited in the CEMAC region, with rates 
ranging from 11% of the population in Chad to 92% in Gabon , and electricity pric es are generally 
high. 
19. The region's manufacturing sector remains underdeveloped. The industrial fabric is located 
mainly in Cameroon. The tariff structure and the relatively high rates are not conducive to promoting 
the growth of the manufacturing sector a s they push up the costs of imported components/inputs 
and, consequently, hinder the sector's integration into global value chains. Moreover, the industries' 
high nominal tariff protection does not encourage them to become more competitive.  
20. CEMAC is develo ping a horizontal approach to the liberalization of services. A directive adopted 
in 2021 calls on member States to simplify procedures and regulations governing service activities. 
In order to facilitate trade in goods and the movement of people between t he countries, a 
CEMAC  transport policy for 2035 was approved in 2017. Among the obstacles to the development 
of regional transport (particularly road transport) identified are the issues of infrastructure and 
tracasseries  (petty harassments), including ext ortion, along the transport corridors which increase 
the costs of regional trade. In 2019, the countries finally abandoned the plan they had launched in 
2001 for a Community airline. The telecommunications sector is largely liberalized within CEMAC. 
Conver sely, the tourism sector is struggling to grow despite all the region's advantages in this area.  
21. Forming primarily a monetary union with an issuing institution, the Bank of Central African 
States (BEAC), and a common currency, the franc of the Financial Co mmunity of Africa (FCA) which 
is pegged at par with the euro, the CEMAC countries have a common banking regulation stemming 
from Convention establishing the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC), which oversees 
compliance with the regulation. All fina ncial activities within CEMAC are controlled by the BEAC. 
Since the last joint TPR, the number of banks has increased and the banking sector has grown a 
little faster than the real economy. However, the overall financial situation of the sector has 
deterio rated. The share of outstanding debts in total credits has increased, their cover rate has fallen 
and a significant proportion of banks are not yet fully compliant with their prudential requirements, 
as the transposition of the latest Basel Committee stand ards has not been completed.  
22. With regard to the insurance services sector, its regulations emanate from the Inter African 
Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) at the continental level and the Regional Commission for 
Insurance Supervision at the CEMAC  level. The insurance services sector remains embryonic with 
very low penetration rates.  
 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Main features of the economy  
1.1.  The members of the Central Africa n Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) are 
Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and 
Chad. CEMAC 's main mission is to promote peace and the harmonious development of its member 
States by establishing an economic union and a monetary union . CEMAC represents a market of 
around 65  million  people spread over an area of more than 3  million  km2. Nearly half of the 
population (46.7 %) is located in Cameroon, which is also responsible for a substan tial proportion 
of regional GDP (28.6 %) (Table 1.1) . More than half of the population live in rural  areas.  
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2012 -21 
 2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
Miscellaneous  
GDP at current market 
prices (in billion s of 
FCFA)a 51,805.3  52,071.8  53,857.0  49,004.8  47,293.8  49,882.3  53,171.7  55,143.6  51,453.5  57,970.8  
GDP at current market 
prices (in  billion s of 
USD)a 101.5  105.4  109.1  82.9 79.8 85.9 95.7 94.1 89.4 104.5  
Growth rate  (real 
GDP) 7.3 1.3 4.0 1.6 -1.4 0.7 1.8 2.0 -1.8 1.7 
including the oil 
industry  0.7 -7.1 2.9 0.0 -6.7 -5.6 1.2 2.2 -4.2 -7.2 
including the 
non-oil industry  9.7 4.1 4.4 2.1 0.1 2.4 1.9 1.9 -1.2 3.8 
The oil industry's 
contribution to real 
growth  0.2 -1.8 0.7 0.0 -1.5 -1.2 0.2 0.4 -0.8 -1.4 
The non -oil 
industry's 
contribution to real 
growth  7.1 3.1 3.4 1.6 0.1 1.9 1.5 1.5 -1.0 3.1 
Population growth rate  
(average ) 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 
Inflation ( consumer 
price , annual average , 
Decemb er) 3.8 2.0 3.2 2.5 1.1 0.9 2.3 2.4 2.3 1.6 
Population ( in million s) 47.9 49.3 50.7 52.2 53.7 55.3 56.9 58.5 60.2 62.0 
GDP per capita  (in 
USD)  2,119.1  2,138.5  2,150.7  1,588.0  1,485.4  1,553.5  1,683.6  1,607.8  1,486.0  1,687.0  
Crude oil price , average  
(USD/bar rel) 105.0  104.1  96.2 50.8 42.8 52.8 68.3 61.4 41.3 69.1 
National accounts at current prices (% of GDP)a 
Consumption  55.6 62.9 67.4 74.5 77.9 72.0 67.1 68.8 73.4 70.8 
Public 
(Government ) 13.1 14.0 14.1 14.6 15.3 15.2 13.1 12.7 14.2 14.1 
Private 42.5 48.9 53.3 59.9 62.6 56.8 53.9 56.1 59.2 56.7 
Gross investments  30.3 30.4 30.9 34.1 28.5 26.4 26.2 26.3 25.2 27.0 
Gross fixed 
capital formation  29.3 29.2 30.2 33.7 28.8 26.8 25.9 26.0 24.8 26.8 
Change in 
inventories  1.1 1.2 0.7 0.3 -0.3 -0.4 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 
Net e xport s 14.1 6.7 1.7 -8.5 -6.5 1.6 6.8 4.9 1.4 2.1 
Exports of goods and 
non-factor services  48.2 42.1 38.6 30.9 26.7 32.6 34.2 33.1 24.5 28.5 
Goods  45.4 38.8 35.4 27.4 23.1 27.7 30.0 29.3 21.2 25.0 
Crude oil  33.8 29.8 27.2 19.0 14.8 16.8 21.4 20.8 13.5 17.9 
Other  11.5 9.0 8.3 8.4 8.3 11.0 8.6 8.6 7.7 7.1 
Non factor s ervices  2.8 3.3 3.2 3.6 3.6 4.8 4.2 3.8 3.3 3.5 
Imports of goods 
and non-factor 
services  -34.1 -35.4 -36.9 -39.5 -33.1 -30.9 -27.5 -28.2 -23.0 -26.4 
Goods  -21.0 -21.8 -22.4 -25.0 -22.3 -19.0 -17.4 -17.6 -15.6 -15.9 
Non factor services  -13.1 -13.5 -14.5 -14.5 -10.8 -11.9 -10.1 -10.5 -7.4 -10.5 
Sectoral distribution  (% of nominal GDP at factor cost )a 
Agriculture, 
livestock, hunting 
and fisheries  9.1 9.8 10.0 11.6 12.5 11.8 11.5 11.4 12.9 12.0 
Forestry  1.0 1.1 1.2 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.8 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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   2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
Mining and quarrying  33.6 29.3 26.7 18.4 14.3 16.3 20.5 19.8 13.6 17.8 
Manufacturing  8.0 8.0 8.2 9.9 10.9 11.0 10.4 10.6 11.3 10.9 
Construction and 
public works 7.6 8.1 7.7 8.1 5.8 5.3 4.9 5.6 6.1 5.7 
Services  36.0 38.8 41.0 46.9 51.3 49.9 47.4 47.7 51.5 48.5 
Others  4.7 5.0 5.2 3.6 3.6 4.0 3.9 3.4 2.9 3.4 
Public f inances  (% of GDP )a 
Total revenue  24.6 23.7 23.2 19.0 15.9 15.7 17.3 17.7 15.5 15.8 
Oil revenue  16.2 14.5 12.9 7.7 5.4 5.6 7.3 7.1 5.2 5.9 
Non-oil revenue  8.4 9.1 10.3 11.3 10.6 10.1 10.0 10.6 10.3 9.8 
Total expenditure  25.8 25.6 27.7 26.1 23.8 20.1 18.1 18.5 18.7 17.6 
Current expenditure  11.6 12.8 14.0 14.4 14.7 13.6 12.5 13.1 14.1 13.7 
Capital expenditure  14.2 12.9 13.7 11.6 9.1 6.5 5.7 5.4 4.5 3.8 
Budgetary  balance , 
commitments basis, 
excluding grants 
(deficit -) -1.2 -2.0 -4.4 -7.1 -7.8 -4.5 -0.9 -0.8 -3.1 -1.8 
Budgetary  balance, 
commitments basis, 
including grants 
(deficit -) -0.7 -1.6 -3.8 -6.4 -7.2 -3.7 -0.2 -0.1 -2.0 -1.3 
External sector (% of GDP  unless otherwise indicated ) 
CFAF per  USD ( annual 
average ) 510.6  493.9  493.8  591.2  592.6  580.7  555.4  585.9  575.6  554.5  
Real effective exchange 
rate (% change )b -3.1 2.9 2.0 -5.9 1.7 0.5 2.8 -1.4 3.6 -0.9 
Exports of goods and 
non-factor services  48.2 42.1 38.6 30.9 26.7 32.6 34.2 33.1 24.5 28.5 
Imports of goods and 
non-factor services  -33.4 -34.5 -36.2 -38.5 -34.4 -28.7 -27.4 -28.2 -23.0 -26.4 
Current account 
balance  4.6 0.1 -4.1 -11.8 -10.2 -1.3 -2.6 1.1 -0.6 -1.4 
Outstanding foreign 
debt/GDP  12.4 14.5 19.0 22.5 26.5 30.0 30.1 32.1 36.2 34.5 
a Estimat ed figures for  2019, 2020 and 2021.  
b A minus sign indicates depreciation.  
Note The CEMAC aggregates include Equatorial Guinea, a country that is not a Member of the WTO but 
has observer status . The CFA franc  (CFAF) , which is the common currency of CEMAC countries, is 
pegged to the euro at a rate of : EUR 1 = 655 .96. 
Source:  Information provided by the  authorities  (BEAC) ; IMF, International Financial Statistics . Viewed at : 
https://www.imf.org/en/Data . World Bank , commodity m arkets . Viewed at : 
https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity -markets . 
1.2.  Even though all CEMAC countries, with the exception of the Central African Republic and Chad, 
are classified as middle -income countries, per capita GDP figures mask high levels of income 
inequality . In economic terms, Gabon, with 3.9 % of the Community's population, accounts for 19.3 % 
of its GDP, while the Central African Republic, with 8.6 % of the population, contributes only  2.5% to 
regional GDP.  
1.3.  Oil is still the main source of income for CEMAC economies, with the exception of the 
Central  African Republic 's economy . In 2019, the most recent year with available figures, re gional 
crude -oil production was estimated to stand at 48  million  tonnes, amounting to 8.5 % of 
African  production . The main producers are the Republic of  the Congo (40.4 %), Gabon (21.5 %) and 
Equatorial  Guinea (16.7 %). Petroleum accounts for around a quarter  of CEMAC 's GDP, two thirds  of 
its total exports, and around 42 % of its budgetary revenues.  
1.4.  Agricultural value added as a percentage of GDP varies significantly from one country to 
another, from 17 % in Cameroon to 50 % in Chad . However, agriculture employs a substantial 
proportion of the population in most CEMAC countries, ranging from 29 % in Gabon to 69 % in Chad . 
The region 's industrial sector is still in its infancy and is seemingly being spearheaded by Cameroon . 
The services sector contributes to the form ation of more than 40 % of GDP.  
1.5.  The heterogeneous nature of CEMAC 's economies is also apparent when viewed through the 
prism of human development . According to the human development index (HDI), in 2021, Gabon 
had a high level of human development, coming 1 12th out of 189 countries or territories . Cameroon 
and Congo were classified as average, ranking 151st and 153rd, respectively . The Central African WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 11 - 
  Republic and Chad, which were deemed to have a low level of  human development, were ranked 
188th and 190th, respectively.  
1.6.  Poverty is still a major problem in the subregion . Around 45 % of CEMAC 's population is 
undernourished and 10 % of this group are facing extreme food deficits .1 Economic growth during 
the review period was nowhere near enough to ha ve a sustained impact on poverty and development 
indicators . In addition, the population growth rate is still very high in the subregion, standing at 
almost 3 % per year.  
1.7.  The region's weak economic structures mainly stem from the following factors : a poor b usiness 
climate ; weak governance and high levels of corruption ; poor infrastructure and utilities ; weak 
financial -market development and financial inclusion ; and limited regional integration.2 
1.8.  The CEMAC countries pursue common monetary and foreign exchang e policies within the 
framework of the Central African Monetary Union (UMAC) . As members of the franc zone, since  1972 
they have maintained a monetary cooperation agreement with France . The Bank of Central African 
States (BEAC) is  the issuing institution f or the common currency, the CFA (Financial Cooperation 
in Central  Africa) franc . It is responsible for defining and conducting monetary policy, conducting 
foreign exchange policy, holding and managing official foreign exchange reserves, and promoting 
the s mooth functioning of the payment and settlement systems . Where monetary policy is 
concerned, its objective is to guarantee monetary stability through a low inflation rate and adequate 
coverage for the currency . For this purpose, it uses two types of instru ments : refinancing policy and 
a policy of imposing reserve requirements.  
1.9.  Under the common foreign exchange regulations, movements of capital in CFA francs between 
member States are free . The other countries of the franc zone are treated on the same footing  as 
the CEMAC countries, except for transactions relating to  gold, some loans, borrowings and direct 
investments, and foreign securities, together with export operations and the repatriation of the 
earnings . For movements of capital outside of the franc zo ne, administrative controls are applied to 
some lending and borrowing operations and to  transactions involving foreign securities with a value 
of more than CFAF  10 million, for which a preliminary declaration must be made to the Ministry 
responsible for  finance.  
1.2  Recent economic developments  
1.10.  The subregion was hit hard by the fall in petroleum prices between 2013 and 2016 . The sharp 
and protracted fall in oil prices, from US D 120 per barrel in 2014 to US D 40 in May 2016, was a 
major economic blow for CEMAC, with a huge negative impact on growth, state revenues, public 
spending and trade balances . As a result, GDP per capita in the region fell from more than USD 2,000 
in 2012 to less than USD 1,500 in 2016 . In 2017, the IMF entered into financial suppor t 
arrangements with four of the six countries in the zone (Gabon, Chad, Cameroon and the 
Central  Africa n Republic )3 in return for reforms.  
1.11.  The funding from the IMF, and the recovery in oil prices from 2017, boosted foreign exchange 
reserves . At the same t ime, the improved economic climate in 2018 and the regional strategy 
adopted in 2017 helped to stabilize the region's economic situation through a huge range of 
measures, from fiscal consolidation to monetary tightening and international financial support .4 Its 
international investment position improved and foreign exchange reserves increased . Inflation 
remained low during the review period, standing at around 2 %. 
1.12.  Despite the economy recovering since 2018, non -oil growth has still been too weak to create 
enough jobs and generate enough income for its young and fast -growing population . Little progress 
has been made around diversifying the economy, with lower -than-forecasted non -oil budgetary 
 
1 FAOSTAT. Viewed at: https://www.fao.org/faost at/en/#data . 
2 IMF (2019), Communauté économique et monétaire de l'Afrique centrale — Rapport des services du 
FMI sur les politiques communes à l'appui des programmes de réforme des pays members , IMF Report No. 
19/215; and World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa . 
3 IMF (2017) "Cause commune pour la stabilité et la croissance durable en Afrique centrale". Viewed at: 
https://www.imf.org/external/french/np/blog/2017/080117f.htm . 
4 IMF (2019), IMF Report No. 19/215.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 12 - 
  revenues . The pandemic and a further fall in petroleum prices have also resulted in weaker economic 
recovery since 2020.  
1.13.  CEMAC 's reserves have plummeted since 2012 and are still far below levels generally viewed 
as adequate for precautionary purposes.  
1.14.  The most notable balance -of-payment development was the large current a ccount deficit in 
2015 and 2016, mainly caused by low petroleum prices and the resulting decline in exports 
(Table  1.2). Imports peaked in 2014, standing at over USD 25.5 billion , before falling to under 
USD 13.6 billion  in 2020 . The services deficit fluctuated between USD 5.2 billion  and 
USD 12.4 billion  during the review period.  
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2012 -21 
(in CFAF)  
 2012  2013  2014  2015a 2016a 2017a 2018a 2019a 2020a 2021a 
Current account balance 
(including official transfers)  4,694  99 -4,509  -9,820  -8,151  -1,088  -2,477  1,073  -571 -1,416  
Foreign trade balance 
(goods)  25,438  18,918  13,381  1,858  1,898  8,362  11,523  12,523  6,155  10,008  
Exports, f.o.b.  46,031  40,952  38,937  22,550  18,949  23,073  29,529  27,792  19,736  26,486  
Imports, f.o.b.  -20,593  -22,033  -25,556  -20,692  -17,051  -14,711  -18,006  -15,269  -13,581  -16,478  
Services balance  -10,481  -10,934  -12,443  -9,694  -6,544  -5,458  -8,584  -7,526  -5,202  -8,670  
Income balance  -10,362  -7,706  -5,386  -2,327  -3,120  -4,410  -5,354  -4,626  -2,330  -3,459  
Current transfers 
balance  100 -180 -61 343 -384 419 -62 702 806 705 
including : public (net)  325 76 71 172 72 601 -351 356 457 396 
 private (net)  -225 -255 -133 171 -456 -182 288 347 349 309 
Capital and financial 
account  -366 1,745  5,666  4,139  2,621  1,075  3,330  -592 615 -1,709  
Capital account  480 305 492 444 189 283 458 435 410 429 
Financial account  -847 1,440  5,175  3,695  2,432  791 2,871  -1,027  204 -2,138  
Direct inves tment (net)  3,833  4,516  7,192  5,471  4,473  899 3,541  -1,535  -1,359  564 
Portfolio investments 
(net)  -10 824 -6 885 98 459 611 285 131 226 
Other investments (net)  -4,669  -3,900  -2,011  -2,661  -2,140  -567 -1,281  223 1,432  -2,928  
Errors and omissions  -3,128  -2,191  -1,905  672 -515 -564 -98 -204 -1,478  2,112  
Overall balance  1,200  -347 -748 -5,010  -6,045  -577 754 276 -1,435  -1,013  
Financing  -1,200  347 748 5,010  6,045  577 -754 -276 1,435  1,013  
Changes in off. reserves 
(decrease +)  -1,217  200 554 3,674  5,559  222 -1,178  -577 1,149  846 
Exceptional financing  17 147 194 1,336  487 355 424 301 286 167 
Changes in foreign 
arrears (decrease -) -105 73 17 -6 399 3 182 125 -78 -256 
Debt r eorgani zation  118 74 160 1,340  88 344 242 176 363 423 
Other  4 1 17 2 0 9 0 0 0 0 
a Estimate.  
Note:  The CEMAC aggregates include Equatorial Guinea, a country that is not a Member of the WTO but 
has observer status.  
Source:  Information compiled by the WTO Secretariat, based on annual reports (2019 -21) published by the 
BEAC ; and information provided by the authorities.  
1.3  Developments in trade and investment  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  
1.15.  International trade plays a major role in all CEMAC countries . However, little progress has 
been made around diversifying their economies . With the exception of Cameroon, oil is the main 
export of the other producing countries, with  its share of  total exports running up to 88 % in Chad 
(Table A1 .1). Timber is the Community's second largest export produ ct and,  apart from Chad, the 
other four countries derive substantial export earnings from it . Other exports include metals 
(aluminium, gold and manganese), diamonds, and cotton (country annexes).  
1.16.  Focussing on the destination of CEMAC exports, there was sus tained growth towards the Asian 
market, most notably to China and India, while the share of merchan dise and services exported to 
the America s and Europe fell between 2012 and 2018 (Table A1 .2). Overall, exports to Africa are WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 13 - 
  still low . Imports are dominated by manufactured goods and come mainly from Europe, Africa and 
Asia ( Tables A1. 3 and A1. 4). 
1.17.  Intra-Community trade is still modest . Trade between CEMAC 's six countries accounts for only 
3.5% of the total transactions recorded in the subregion . However, the official statistics do not reflect 
informal trade, which is highly prevalent in border areas . This low level of intra -Community trade is 
partly attributable to the nature of the exports (mainly raw materials), the weak industrial base in 
the count ries, and the poor transportation and communications infrastructure . Numerous non -tariff 
barriers and a failure to apply certain Community provisions are other major barriers to trade.  
1.18.  International services trade is dominated by imports, mainly oriented t owards the petroleum 
and mining sectors (country annexes) . CEMAC is a net importer of services.  
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI  
1.19.  Foreign investment in the region is still heavily concentrated in mining, particularly petroleum, 
and has remained low in other secto rs. A relatively unappealing business climate, including recurrent 
political instability, is partly to blame for this situation.  
1.20.  Outward investment flows are still very low . However, at an intra -Community level, there has 
been some investment by Cameroonia n operators in the other countries.  
1.4  Outlook  
1.21.  In the medium term, the economic and financial situation is still expected to improve 
gradually . For the years 2023 and 2024, the IMF is forecasting growth rates of 3.3 % and 2.9 % and 
inflation rates of 4.9 % and 4 .0%.5 
1.22.  Downside risks include, in particular , the implementation of reform programmes potentially 
being undermined and a deteriorating security situation, which are offset by favourable factors, 
including rising petroleum prices an d stricter enforcement of  foreign exchange regulations having a 
more significant impact on reserves.  
 
5 IMF, Regional Economic Outlook, Sub -Saharan Africa, April 2023.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.1  CEMAC  
2.1.1   CEMAC's organizational and institutional framework  
2.1.  The Central Africa n Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) is an organization of 
Central  African States created in 1994 by Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, 
Equato rial Guinea, and Chad to promote economic integration. CEMAC  actually started its activities 
in June  1999. It notified the WTO on 21  July 1999 under the  Enabling Clause. From the outset, 
emphasis was placed on promoting intra -community trade and industrial  cooperation. Consequently, 
the countries adopted elements of its common trade policy, including provisions on a common 
external tariff (CET), rules of origin, and a single tax on products of community origin. The Treaty 
establishing CEMAC was revised in 2 008.6 
2.2.  CEMAC has set up five institutions and several bodies. The  institutions include: the Central 
African Economic Union (CAEU), the Central African Monetary Union (CAMU), the Community 
Parliament, the Court of Justice, and the Court of Auditors. Each  of these institutions is governed by 
a convention. CEMAC's main decision -making bodies are the Conference of CEMAC Heads of State, 
the CAEU Council of Ministers (Council of Ministers); the  CAMU Ministerial Committee (Ministerial 
Committee); the CEMAC Commiss ion; the  Bank of Central African States (BEAC); the Development 
Bank of Central African States (BDEAC); and the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC). 
Table 2.1 shows the various bodies and specialized agencies of CEMAC.  
Table 2.1 CEMAC specialized bodies and institutions  
Name  Acronym  Location  Website  
Community Parliament  PC Malabo  http://www.parlement -cemac.org   
Community Court of Justice  CJC N'Djamena  https://www.cemac.int/cour_justice   
Court of Auditors  CC N'Djamena   
CEMAC Commission  C-CEMAC  Bangui  www.cemac.int  
Bank of Central African States  BEAC  Yaoundé  www.beac.int  
Development Bank of Central 
African States  BDEAC  Brazzaville  www.bdeac.int  
Central African Banking Commission  COBAC  Libreville  www.sgcobac.org  
Central African Financial Market 
Supervisory Commission  COSUMAF  Libreville  www.cosumaf.org  
Specialized institutions  
CEMAC School of Hotel Management 
and Tourism  EHT Ngaoundere  http://eht.cemac.int  
of Central Africa Pesticides 
Committee  CPAC  Yaoundé  http://cpac.cemac.int  
International Commission of the 
Congo -Ubangi -Sangha Basin  CICOS  Kinshasa  www.cicos.int  
Organization for the Coordination of 
the Fight against Endemic Diseases 
in Central Africa  OCEAC  Yaoundé  http://oceac.cemac.int  
Inter-State Customs School  EIED Bangui  http://eied.cemac .int  
Central African Police Chiefs 
Committee - INTERPOL  CCPAC  Yaoundé  http://ccpac.cemac.int  
Economic Commission on Cattle, 
Meat and Fish Resources  CEBEVIRHA  Ndjamena  http://cebevirha.cemac.int  
CEMAC pink card  Pink Card  Bangui  http://carterose.cemac.int  
Regional Centre of Applied Research 
for the Development of Agricultural 
Systems in Central Africa  PRASAC  Ndjamena  http://prasac.cemac.int  
Multisectoral Subregional Institute 
of Applied Technology, Project 
Planning and Evaluation  ISTA Libreville  http:// ista.cemac.int  
Subregional Institute of Statistics 
and Applied Economics  ISSEA  Yaoundé  http://issea.cemac.int  
 
6 Viewed at: https://cemac.int/institutions -organes/ . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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  Name  Acronym  Location  Website  
Institute of Economics and 
Finance - Regional Hub  IEF - Regional 
Hub Libreville  http://ief.cemac.int  
Agency for the Supervision of 
Aviation Sa fety in Central Africa  ASSA -AC N'Djamena  http://assa -ac.cemac.int  
Inter-State Centre for Higher 
Education in Public Health in Central 
Africa  CIESPAC  Brazzaville  https://www.ciespac.org/  
Central African Action Group against 
Money Laundering  GABAC  Libreville  https://gabac.org/   
Source:  CEMAC. Viewed at: http://www.cemac.int/institutions_organes . 
2.3.  The objectives of the CAEU are: (1) to harmonize rules that help to improve the business 
environment; (2) to ensure convergence through the coordination of economic policies; (3) to create 
a common market based on the f ree movement of goods, services, capital and persons; and (4) to 
establish coordination of national sectoral policies.  
2.4.  The Community Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight of the bodies and 
institutions involved in the Community's decision -making process.7 It consists of 30 members, five 
from each State. Members are elected by direct universal suffrage under the conditions laid down 
by each State. The Parliament was set up in April  2010 at its headquarters in Malabo, Equatorial 
Guinea.  
2.5.  The Court of Justice is responsible for ensuring observance of the law in the implementation of 
the CEMAC Treaty and the various conventions, while the Court of Auditors controls the institutions' 
budgets and accounts.8 
2.6.  CAMU is based on a common currency, the CFA franc, and a  common central bank, the BEAC 
(Section 1.1).9 It operates  under the supervision of the Ministerial Committee. In addition to 
ensuring financial stability, it  is involved in multilateral surveillance, including coordinating economic 
policies and bringing national budgetary policies into line with the common monetary policy.  
2.7.  A CEMAC macroeconomic surveillance system has been in place since 2000. It is based mainly 
on four convergence criteria: a positive or zero underlying budget balance -to-GDP ratio; an an nual 
inflation rate of less than 3 %; a public debt ratio less than or equal to 70 % of GDP; and the 
non-accumulation of arrears on current management. Should these criteria not be met, the Council 
of Ministers may call on the country concerned to implement an appropriate adjustment programme. 
However, the powers to impose sanctions are limited. The Council of  Ministers can issue a 
communiqué accompanied by information on the situation in the country or publicly announce the 
withdrawal of any support that the  country might be receiving. To date, the sanctions system has 
never been applied.  
2.8.  The harmonization and control of banking activities is the responsibility of the Central African 
Banking Commission (COBAC). In carrying out its work, CAMU also relies on ot her specialized 
institutions, including the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission (COSUMAF), and 
the Central African Action Group against Money Laundering (GABAC) (Section 4.4.4)  
2.2  CEMAC in practice  
2.9.  The CEMAC vision is structured around the  Regional Economic Programme (PER), the objective 
of which is to make CEMAC "an emerging integrated economic area, where security, solidarity and 
good governance reign", by 2025. The PER governs economic development as a whole and presents 
an emergence age nda (2010 -25) in three five -year phases for the achievement of Vision  2025. It 
can be  broken down into 5 themes, 12 strategic objectives, 29 programmes and 86  projects.  
2.10.  In principle, according to the CEMAC Customs Code, goods in transit benefit from the 
suspension of duties, taxes, prohibitions and other economic, fiscal or customs measures that may 
 
7 Convention governing the Community Parliament, 25 June 2008.  
8 Convention governing the Community Court of Justice, 30 January 2009.  
9 Convention governing the Central African Monetary Union (CAMU), 25 June 2008. Viewed at: 
https://www.beac.int/wp -content/uploads/2016/11/ConvUMAC -rev.pdf . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 16 - 
  apply. Counterfeit publications and goods "bearing directly, or on their packaging, marks of a nature 
such as to lead a person to believe that they were manufac tured or originated in a member State or 
in a State with which a relevant agreement has been signed" are banned from transit (Articles 156 
and 157 of the Customs Code). Goods in transit must be declared and must be covered by a bond 
valid in all the States . Where non -prohibited goods are concerned, instead of a bond it is possible to 
deposit the duties and taxes, which are refunded on presentation of a certificate of discharge, issued 
by the consular authorities of the member States or by the customs author ity in the country of 
destination.  
2.11.  The Customs Code distinguishes between ordinary transit, which is available to all users, and 
international transit, which is reserved for certain approved carriers. For ordinary transit, a  detailed 
declaration must be fi led and the goods must be examined under the same conditions as in the case 
of goods declared for home use. Subject to sealing formalities, a  summary declaration may be file 
for goods shipped in containers. The operator must carry out the transit operation  under the 
conditions laid down by the customs authorities, in particular as  regards security, time limits and 
routes.  
2.12.  The Land Freight Management Bureau (BGFT) is responsible for managing transit, in 
cooperation with the corresponding administrations in t he Central African Republic and Chad. The 
company providing the transport may have foreign capital, but must be approved by  CEMAC through 
the ministry responsible for transport.  
2.13.  At the customs union level, a common external tariff has been adopted but is s ubject to 
numerous exceptions which the countries have granted unilaterally (Section 3.13. and country 
annexes). Generally, non -tariff barriers are not harmonized.  
2.14.  Under the Community transit regime, any operation declared under the Community transit 
proce dure must be covered by a guarantee valid for all member States.10 The guarantee must cover 
the whole of the debt that could be incurred if the goods were released for consumption in the 
country of departure. The guarantee may consist of a cash deposit lef t with the customs office of 
the place of departure or a bond. The bond must be taken out in the country in which the guarantee 
is provided and approved by its customs authorities.  
2.15.  The regulations also provide for simplified transit formalities for operato rs who regularly use 
those procedures. This includes the possibility of providing an international guarantee, being 
exempted from the guarantee requirements, or being granted the status of an authorized consignor 
or consignee. However, these measures are o nly available to operators established in one of the 
member States of the Community, provided that they have not committed any serious or repeated 
breaches of the customs or tax legislation. An international guarantee is granted by the customs 
authorities of the State in which the operator is established. It can be used within the limits of a 
reference amount, estimated as the debt that could be incurred by the operator's Community transit 
operations in the course of one month. Depending on their status, th e operator's guarantee may be 
reduced or even waived.  
2.16.  The status of authorized consignor or consignee is granted by the CEMAC Commission 
following a proposal by the customs authorities of the country of establishment. The status of 
authorized consignor all ows the operator to transport their goods in the Community transit system 
without having to make a transit declaration or to produce the goods at the customs office of the 
place of departure. This status is only granted to operators with an international g uarantee or for 
whom the guarantee requirement has been waived, and is only valid for operations starting in the 
country where the authorization is granted. The status of authorized consignee allows the holder to 
receive goods in Community transit without having to produce them at the customs office of the 
place of destination. However, they are required to inform the office of the arrival of the goods and 
to await its authorization before proceeding to unload them. It applies only in the State in which the  
authorization is granted.  
2.17.  A Transit Committee, composed of two representatives per member State, together with 
experts from the CEMAC Commission, is responsible for overseeing the correct application of the 
 
10 Regulation No. 07/10 -UEAC -205-CM-21 of 28 October 2010 adopting the regulations on the 
Community transit regime and the single guarantee mechanism.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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  new transit regulations, making recommendations and issuing technical opinions on transit 
procedures and security.11 
2.18.  The CEMAC Transport -Transit Facilitation Project aims to facilitate regional trade among the 
member States and improve the access of the Central African Republic, the Republic of Cameroon  
and the Republic of Chad to global markets: (1) by helping to implement the CEMAC Customs Union; 
and (2) by reducing physical and non -physical barriers along the Douala -N'Djamena and 
Douala -Bangui corridors (Section 4.4.2).  
2.19.  International trade is, however , still seriously hampered by the excessive taxation of imports 
and the consequent smuggling. Goods traded within CEMAC are still taxed at every border crossing 
and customs post, regardless of the administrative procedure (including duty -free entry). The t ransit 
procedures are expensive, do not work well and are not accessible to all operators. This is driving a 
large proportion of inter -State trade into the hands of informal traders or bootleggers, as evidenced 
by the low level of declared trade (Section  1.3.1).  
2.20.  "Petty" harassments or "tracasseries" , a form of corruption consisting of many small payments 
to officials without cause or receipt12, are widespread in the CEMAC region and are a significant 
driver of  regional trade costs.13 For example, for a 20 -tonne truck making the journey from 
Abang -Minko (Cameroon) to Libreville (Gabon), 44 different checkpoints were counted, causing a 
total delay of more than 15 hours and a total average cost of CFAF  1,980,000.14 Women agricultural 
producers and traders are d isproportionately affected by trade barriers.  
2.21.  Since 2013, CEMAC has made substantial progress in the area of free movement of persons. 
In June  2013, the Conference of Heads of State adopted an Act abolishing visas for all CEMAC 
nationals circulating within  the community area.15 The Act guarantees free movement within the 
Community for stays of less than three months. In October  2017, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo 
and the Central African Republic finally ratified the abolition of visas for CEMAC nationals.  
2.3  Trade agreements and arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
2.22.  With the exception of Equatorial Guinea, all the CEMAC countries are former Contracting 
Parties to the GATT  1947. However, they joined the WTO at different times: Cameroon, 
Gabon  and the Central African Republic acceded in 1995, Chad in 1996, and Congo in 1997. 
Equatorial Guinea applied for accession in February  2007 and has observer status.16 
2.23.  All CEMAC countries grant at least MFN treatment to all their trading partners. They are not 
parties to any of th e plurilateral agreements concluded under the aegis of the WTO.  
2.24.  The CEMAC countries have never been involved in a WTO dispute as a complainant or 
respondent.  
2.25.  Generally speaking, the CEMAC countries continue to submit very few notifications of their 
trade p olicies and practices. The notifications made between January  2013 and March  2020 are listed 
in Table 2.3.  
Table 2.2 Status of submissions of customs tariffs and foreign trade statistics, 2013 -22 
 2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  
Customs tariffs     
Cameroon  Yes Yes No No No No Yes No No No 
 
11 Regulation No. 09/10 -UEAC -205-CM-21 of 28 October 2010 establishing a Transit Committee.  
12 These include to the police, army, gendarmerie , weighbridge officials, and road traffic officers.  
13 World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa . World 
Bank field investigations found a universal perception along the corridors that, regardless of whether all the 
paperwork is in order, payments are still req uired.  
14 World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa . 
15 Additional Act No. 01/13/CEMAC -070 U -CCE-SE of 25 June 2013.  
16 The WTO General Council set up a working party to examine Equatorial  Guinea's  applicat ion in 
February 2008. At the time of writing this report, Equatorial Guinea had submitted a  memorandum on its 
foreign trade regime in December 2022, and the working party had not yet met.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 18 - 
   2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  
Central African 
Republic  Yes No Yes Yes No No No No No No 
Chad  Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No 
Congo  Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No 
Gabon  Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No No 
Imports  
Cameroon  Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No 
Central African 
Republic  Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No 
Chad  Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No 
Congo  No No No No No No No No No No 
Gabon  No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No 
Note:  "No" means there was no submission.  
Source:  WTO Integrated Database (IDB) and UN Comtrade Database.  
2.26.  Regarding foreign trade statistics, data for the period between 2013 and 2018 are available 
for Cameroon and the Central Afric an Republic (Table 2.2). For Congo, these data are available for 
all years except 2015 and 2016. No information is available for Gabon and Chad. The MFN  customs 
tariffs statistics are also incomplete, with the most recent data being those for 2018 (Cameroo n and 
Central African Republic). No  data have been communicated concerning Chad since  2014.  
Table 2.3 Notifications made to the WTO by CEMAC member countries, 2013 -April  2023  
Agreement and provision  Country/en tit
y Reference  Date  
Agreement on Agriculture  
Article 18.2 - No domestic support 
provided  Cameroon  G/AG/N/CMR/11  
G/AG/N/CMR/9  
G/AG/N/CMR/8  
G/AG/N/CMR/5  
G/AG/N/CMR/3  23 October  2019 
21 February  2018 
31 May 2016 
20 April 2015 
13 August  2014 
Article 18.2 - No domestic support 
provided  Congo  G/AG/N/COG/5 -9 
G/AG/N/COG/3 -4 
G/AG/N/COG/1  4 January  2021 
6 January  2016 
24 April 2014 
Article 18.2 - No domestic support 
provided  Gabon  G/AG/N/GAB/7  
G/AG/N/GAB/5  23 March  2017 
29 April 2013 
Article 18.2 - Domestic support 
provided  Chad  G/AG/N/TCD/2  21 September  2015 
Article 18.2 - No export subsidies 
provided  Cameroon  G/AG/N/CMR/12  
G/AG/N/CMR/10  
G/AG/N/CMR/7  
G/AG/N/CMR/6  
G/AG/N/CMR/4  23 October  2019 
21 February  2018 
31 May 2016 
20 April 2015 
13 August  2014 
Article 18.2 - No export subsidies 
provided  Congo  G/AG/N/COG/10 -13 
G/AG/N/COG/4  
G/AG/N/COG/2  4 January  2022 
6 January  2016 
25 April 2014 
Article 18.2 - No export subsidies 
provided  Gabon  G/AG/N/GAB/8  
G/AG/N/GAB/6  23 March  2017 
28 April 2013 
Article 18.2 - No export subsidies 
provided  Chad G/AG/N/TCD/3  
G/AG/N/TCD/1  10 April 2017 
20 May 2015 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT  1994  
Articles 16.4 and 16.5 - Notification  Cameroon  G/ADP/N/193/CMR  18 July 2013 
Articles 18.5, 32.6 and 12.6 - Laws 
and regulations  Cameroon  G/ADP/N/1/CMR/2  
G/SCM/N/1/CMR/2  
G/SG/N/1/CMR/2  18 February  2022 
Articles 18.5, 32.6 and 12.6 - Laws 
and regulations  Cameroon  G/ADP/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.1  
G/SCM/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.1  
G/SG/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.1  23 February  2022 
Articles 18.5, 32.6 and 12.6 - Laws 
and regulations  Cameroon  G/ADP/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.2  
G/SCM/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.2  
G/SG/N/1/CMR/2/Suppl.2  24 February  2022 
Articles 18.5, 32 .6 and 12.6 - Laws 
and regulations  Congo  G/ADP/N/1/COG/1  
G/SCM/N/1/COG/1  
G/SG/N/1/COG/1  6 May 2014 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 19 - 
  Agreement and provision  Country/en tit
y Reference  Date  
Article 7.3 - Regulations  Cameroon  G/LIC/N/3/CMR/7  
G/LIC/N/3/CMR/6  
G/LIC/N/3/CMR/5  
G/LIC/N/3/CMR/4  10 April 2017 
31 May 2016 
24 September  2015 
29 November  2013 
Article 7.3 - Regulations  Gabon  G/LIC/N/3/GAB/1  10 April 2017 
Articles 5 and 7.3 - Regulations and 
procedures  Chad G/LIC/N/2/TCD/1  
G/LIC/N/3/TCD/3  3 October  2013 
Articles 1.4 (a) and 8.2 
(b) - Regulations  Cameroon  G/LIC/N/ 1/CMR/2  
G/LIC/N/ 1/CMR/3  29 November  2013 
3 March  2015 
Articles 1.4 (a) and 8.2 
(b) - Regulations  Gabon  G/LIC/N/ 1/GAB/3  4 June 2013 
Replies to Questionnaire  Cameroon  G/LIC/N/3/CMR/8  1 October  2019 
Agreement on Preshipment Inspection  
Article 5 - Laws and regulations  Congo  G/PSI/N/1/Rev.2  9 October  2014 
Article 5 - Laws and regulations  Central African 
Republic  G/PSI/N/1/Rev.4/Add.5  14 January  2021 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Cameroon  G/SCM/N/25/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/38/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/48/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/60/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/71/CMR  10 July 2013 
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Cameroon  G/SCM/N/95/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/123 /CMR, 
G/SCM/N/155/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/186/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/220/CMR, 
G/SCM/N/253/CMR  10 July 2013 
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Congo  G/SCM/N/95/COG, 
G/SCM/N/123/COG, 
G/SCM/N/155/COG, 
G/SCM/N/186/COG, 
G/SCM/N/220/COG, 
G/SCM/N/253/COG  6 May 2014 
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Congo  G/SCM/N/25/COG, 
G/SCM/N/38/COG, 
G/SCM/N/48/COG, 
G/SCM/N/60/COG, 
G/SCM/N/71/COG  7 May 2014 
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Congo  G/SCM/N/284/COG  15 January  2016 
Article XVI:1 a nd Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Gabon  G/SCM/N/284/GAB  
G/SCM/N/315/GAB  6 April 2017 
Article XVI:1 and Article 25.2 - No 
subsidies  Gabon  G/SCM/N/220/GAB  
G/SCM/N/253/GAB  29 April 2013 
Articles 25.11 and 25.12 - No actions 
(countervailing duties)  Cameroon  G/SCM/N/202/CMR  18 July 2013 
Articles 25.11 and 25.12 - No actions 
(countervailing duties)  Congo  G/SCM/N/202/COG  13 August  2013 
Articles 25.11 and 25.12 - No actions 
(countervailing duties)  Gabon  G/SCM/N/202/GAB  29 March  2017 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 20 - 
  Agreement and provision  Country/en tit
y Reference  Date  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Article 10.6 - Regulations on the 
production, importation, marketing 
and use of plastic sacks, bags and film  Congo  G/TBT/N/COG/1  16 September  2013 
Article 10.6 - Elimination of the 
cement price approval system and 
market liberalization  Congo  G/TBT/N/COG/2  16 Septembe r 2013 
Article 10.6 - Child welfare  Congo  G/TBT/N/COG/3  16 September  2013 
Article 10.6 - Protect health and 
safety, and guarantee quality and 
national security  Gabon  G/TBT/N/GAB/1  25 June 2015 
Article 10.6 - Conditions for the 
application of conformity assessment  Gabon  G/TBT/N/GAB/2  25 June 2015 
Notification under paragraph C of the 
Code of Good Practice  Gabon  G/TBT/CS/N/188  4 April 2017 
Article 10.6 - Contract for the 
provision of conformity assessment 
services  Central African 
Republic  G/TBT/N/CAF/11  8 January  2021 
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Notification - Ban on the importation 
of poultry and poultry products  Central African 
Republic  G/SPS/N/CAF/3  15 March  2016 
Notification - Ban on the marketing of 
spoilt or toxic food  Central African 
Republic  G/SPS/N/CAF/2  29 July 2015 
Notification - Control of live animals 
and products of animal origin  Central African 
Republic  G/SPS/N/CAF/1  13 July 2015 
Agreement on Rules of Origin  
Article 5 and paragraph 4 of Annex 
II - non-preferential and preferential 
rules of origin  Cameroon  G/RO/N/99  18 September  2013 
Article 5 and paragraph 4 of Annex 
II - non-preferential and preferential 
rules of origin  Congo  G/RO/N/118  18 September  2014 
Regional trade agreements  
United Kingdom and Cameroon 
Agreement  Cameroon  WT/REG418/N/1  7 January  2021 
United Kingdom and Cameroon 
Agreement  Cameroon  WT/REG418/N/1/Add.1  30 April 2021 
Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  
Contact point (Article 69)  Congo  IP/N/3/COG/1  26 May 2014 
Responses to questions concerning 
civil and administrative procedures 
and remedies  Gabon  IP/N/6/GAB/1  3 October  2017 
Article 63.2 - Laws and regulations  Central African 
Republic  IP/N/1/CAF/1 -3 11 May 2021 
General Agreement on Trade in Services  
Articles III:4 and IV:2 (contact point)  Cameroon  S/ENQ/78/Rev.16  22 April 2016 
Articles III:4 and IV:2 (contact point)  Congo  S/ENQ/78/Rev.15  4 February  2015 
Articles III:4 and IV:2 (contact point)  Gabon  S/ENQ/78/Rev.17  7 June 2018 
Article III:3 - Government 
Procurement Code  Gabon  S/C/N/887  13 April 2017 
Article III: 3 - Business incubators and 
industrial estates  Gabon  S/C/N/886  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - SME/SMI promotion 
policy Gabon  S/C/N/885  29 March  2017 
Article III: 3 - Application of Law 
No. 005/2000 of 12  October  2000 Gabon  S/C/N/884  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Mining Code  Gabon  S/C/N/883  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Timber marketing 
procedures  Gabon  S/C/N/882  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Regulations for the 
marketing of undressed timber for 
export  Gabon  S/C/N/881  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Forestry Code  Gabon  S/C/N/880  29 March  2017 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
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  Agreement and provision  Country/en tit
y Reference  Date  
Article III:3 - Creation of the Postal 
and Electronic Communications 
Regulatory Agency  Gabon  S/C/N/879  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Regulation of the 
telecommunications sector  Gabon  S/C/N/878  29 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Reorganization of the 
postal and telecommunications sector  Gabon  S/C/N/877  28 March  2017 
Article III:3 - Commercial Code  Central African 
Republic  S/C/N/915  19 June 2018 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation  
Notification - Category A, B and C  Cameroon  WT/PCTF/N/CMR/1  27 May 2016 
Notification - Category A  Congo  WT/PCTF/N/COG/1  6 August  2014 
Measures  Congo  G/TFA/N/COG/2  5 October  2022 
Notification - Categories A and C  Gabon  WT/PCTF/N/GAB/1  17 December  2014 
Notification - Categor ies A, B and C  Central African 
Republic  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.1  
G/TFA/N/CAF/1  8 July 2022 
20 December  2019 
4 June 2019 
26 July 2018 
Notification - Categories A, B and C  Chad  WT/PCTF/N/TCD/1/Add.2  
WT/PCTF/N/TCD/1/Add.1  
WT/PCTF/N/TCD/1  11 August  2022 
24 February  2021 
19 February  2020 
18 November  2016 
Measures  Central African 
Republic  G/TFA/N/CAF/2  4 March  2020 
Notification - Contact point  Central African 
Republic  G/TFA/N/CAF/3  5 July 2022 
Notification - Contact point  Chad G/TFA/N/TCD/2  24 February  2021 
Source:  WTO, Central Registry of Notifications.  
2.27.  In the area of trade negotiations, the five CEMAC countries that are Members of the WTO 
collectively belong to the following groups: the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP), the 
African Group, the G -90, a nd the W52 sponsors. In principle, they coordinate their positions with 
those of the other countries that are members of these groups. Depending on their trade interests, 
the CEMAC countries also associate themselves with other groups. As such, Cameroon an d Congo 
are among the paragraph 6 countries17; Congo is part of the G -3318; Chad and the 
Central  African  Republic belong to the least -developed country (LDC) group; and Chad to the 
Cotton -4 countries (C -4) Group. The CEMAC members have not yet established a framework for the 
coordination of their positions in the WTO. The five CEMAC countries that are Members of the WTO 
each have a mission in Geneva.  
2.28.  CEMAC has observer status with the WTO Committee on Trade and Development. However, 
it is not represented in  Geneva, making it difficult for it to participate effectively in the activities of 
this Committee.  
2.29.  Administrative measures linked to t he non -payment of contributions have also  limited the 
effective participation of some of the  CEMAC  countries in the activ ities of the WTO. As at 
10 July 2023, the Central African Republic and Chad were in Category II I while Congo was in 
Category I.  As at that date, Cameroon and Gabon were not subject to administrative measures 
resulting from the accumulation of outstanding c ontributions.19 
2.30.  All CEMAC countries which are Members of the WTO participated in the Tenth WTO Ministerial 
Conference in Nairobi in 2015, and in the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022. 
Cameroon and Chad participated in the Eleventh WTO Mi nisterial Conference in Buenos  Aires in 
2017. The statements of these delegations at the plenary session reflected common as well as 
individual concerns. Thus, they recalled the importance of the  Doha Round, lamented the slow pace 
 
17 A group of 12 WTO Members with less than 35% of non -agricultural p roducts covered by legally 
bound tariff ceilings.  
18 The G -33 is a group of 47 developing countries, Members of  the WTO, pressing for flexibility to enable 
them to undertake limited market opening in agriculture. This group is also called "Friends of Specia l Products".  
19 WTO document WT/BFA/W/473 of 7 March 2019.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 22 - 
  of the negotiations, argu ed for development issues to be taken into account in the negotiations, and 
stressed the importance of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative.20 
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.1   African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area  
2.31.  The CEMAC countries are founder members of the African Union (AU).21 Launched at the 
Durban Summit in 2002, the aims of the AU include accelerating the political and socio -economic 
integration of the continent. For this purpose, it relies on the African Economic Community (AEC) 
established by the Abuja Treaty.  
2.32.  Adopted in 2 013, Agenda 2063 is the AU's blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa 
into the global powerhouse of the future. It identifies key flagship programmes to boost Africa's 
economic growth and development, and lead to the rapid transformation of the co ntinent. In the 
area of international trade, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a flagship initiative 
of Agenda 2063.  
2.33.  Launched at the 18th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in 2012, the AfCFTA is a free trade 
area project, which seeks to  bring together a total of 55 States. The AfCFTA aims to boost 
intra-African trade by providing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement between 
member States, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights, a nd 
competition policy. On 21  March  2018, 44 countries became signatories at a summit in Rwanda. On 
29 April 2019, the ratification threshold of 22 States was reached. All CEMAC countries are 
signatories to and have ratified the Agreement.  
2.34.  The AfCFTA projec t is accompanied by an Action Plan for Boosting Intra -African Trade.22 The 
Action Plan contains seven clusters, the implementation of whose programmes and activities is 
aimed at addressing the key constraints and challenges of intra -African trade. The clus ters cover: 
(1) trade policy; (2) trade facilitation; (3) productive capacity; (4) trade -related infrastructure; 
(5) trade finance; (6) trade information; and (7) factor market integration. Under each of these 
clusters, the Action Plan provides, in broad t erms, an indicative list of programmes and activities 
that need to be implemented in the short to long term at the national, regional and continental 
levels.  
2.35.  On 20  July 2021, the CEMAC Commission filed an initial common list with the AfCFTA 
Secretariat of commitments by member States of the Customs Union and CEMAC  for the 
liberalization of trade in services in five priority sectors. This list contains far broader commitments 
than the multilateral commitments of CEMAC countries under the GATS.  
2.36.  The list submi tted by the CEMAC Commission to the AfCFTA includes:  
• broad horizontal commitments on the movement of natural persons (business visitors, 
intra-corporate transferees, specialists, managers, graduate trainees, service sellers, 
contractual service suppliers a nd independent professionals)  
• sector -specific commitments on virtually all business services,  
• commitments on all communications services (postal and courier services, 
telecommunications and audiovisual services);  
• commitments on all financial services (insu rance, banking, securities and related 
services);  
 
20 WTO document WT/MIN(17)/ST/68 of 4 January 2018.  
21 The Constitutive Act of the African  Union was adopted at the summit held in July 2000 at Lomé 
(Togo).  
22 African Union (2012), Boosting Intra -Africa Trade . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 23 - 
  • commitments on all transport services (for all modes of transport as well as services 
auxiliary to these modes of transport);  
• commitments on all tourism services (with the addition to the GATS of tourist gu ides 
services for Chad).  
2.37.  These commitments do not cover all modes of delivery and include reservations, in particular, 
on approval procedures. However, overall they result in a bound level of liberalization vis-à-vis other 
members of the AfCFTA comparable to that offered by developed countries through their GATS 
commitments.  
2.3.2.2   Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)  
2.38.  The CEMAC countries are all members of the Economic Community of Central African States 
(ECCAS), a subregional organization establis hed in 1983. In addition to  the CEMAC  countries, ECCAS 
includes Angola, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and  Sao Tome and 
Principe. ECCAS was charged with creating a customs union after a minimum of 12 years, through 
the eliminatio n of customs duties and the abolition of quantitative restrictions.  
2.39.  Like CEMAC, ECCAS has a preferential tariff regime, a transit regime, and its own rules 
of origin.  
2.40.  Based on the CEMAC common external tariff (CET), a preliminary common external tariff was  
proposed for ECCAS with three rates:  
• basic necessities and capital goods for investment (5 %); 
• raw materials, intermediate goods and other capital goods (10 %); and,  
• daily consumer goods and luxury goods (20 %). 
2.41.  The intra -ECCAS transit regime has not yet com e into effect. Normally, intra -ECCAS transit is 
governed by the Protocol on Transit and Transit Facilities annexed to the ECCAS Treaty. Pursuant to 
this Protocol, member States undertake to grant freedom of transit through their territories, not to 
levy an y import or export duties on transit traffic, and to take measures to simplify transit and 
warehousing procedures in respect of landlocked member countries. All transit goods and means of 
transport must be covered by bonds guaranteed by banks or other appr oved institutions. The transit 
document is the Inter -African transit carnet (TIA  (ECCAS) Carnet), which is valid, in principle, in all 
the member States.  
2.42.  The rules of origin criteria for the ECCAS countries are set out in a protocol annexed to the 
Treaty e stablishing ECCAS (Annex 1 to the Treaty establishing ECCAS). They differ from those of 
CEMAC, particularly as regards the percentage of local added value for manufactured products, which 
must be at  least 45 % of the ex -factory price, compared to 30 % for CE MAC. This  threshold can be 
lowered to  25% if the product is "of special importance", and 30 % if the product is found to be in 
short supply. As with goods wholly produced within ECCAS, Community origin is conferred only 
if Community nationals constitute a m ajority of the firm's management and hold at least 30 % of the 
share capital. A certificate of origin based on the ECCAS model has been adopted as documentary 
evidence for the movement of Community goods (even though CEMAC continues to use its 
movement cert ificate). For product approval, a standard dossier and procedures have been adopted.  
2.3.2.3   Community of Sahel -Saharan States (CEN -SAD)  
2.43.  Chad and the Central African Republic are members of CEN -SAD, a community created in 
1998 at the initiative of six countries of the Sahel -Saharan region. Today, CEN -SAD has 24 members. 
Its main objective is to establish a "comprehensive economic union" based on a development plan 
in line with the national development plans. Specifically, CEN -SAD aims to implement joint  
infrastructure projects in the areas of transportation and telecommunications, to develop trade 
between the member States, and to "eliminate all obstacles impeding the unity of its member States 
by adopting measures that may facilitate the free movement o f individuals and capital in line with WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 24 - 
  the interests of citizens of the member States, and the freedom of residence, work, ownership and 
economic activity.  
2.3.3   Other agreements and arrangements  
2.44.  In general, the CEMAC countries are eligible for the Generalized S ystem of Preferences  (GSP) 
regimes of some developed and developing countries. However, only Cameroon participates in the 
Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries  (GSTP).  
2.45.  The CEMAC LDCs (Central African Republic and Chad) are eligible for the European Union's 
"Everything But Arms" initiative, which allows them to export all products, except arms, to the bloc 
duty- and quota -free. 
2.46.  The CEMAC countries are participating in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) 
negotiations between the A CP States and the European Union. Negotiations for an EPA with all 
Central African countries were launched in October  2003. In Central Africa, the negotiations are 
being conducted within the CEMAC framework extended to include Sao Tome and Principe and the  
Democratic Republic of the Congo. To date, only Cameroon has signed and ratified the Agreement. 
It has been provisionally applied since 4  August  2014 (Cameroon annex). Other countries of the 
region are currently studying the possibility of joining Cameroo n and acceding to the interim 
agreement.  
2.47.  The CEMAC countries that are Members of the WTO are eligible for the US African Growth and 
Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative to further open the US market to products from a number of 
sub-Saharan African countries. Eligible countries enjoy duty - and quota -free access to the US market 
for various goods, including certain agricultural and textile products, except apparel. For the latter, 
there is a special provision relating to apparel made of third -country fabrics, as  well as provisions 
on handmade (so -called "Category 9") articles and articles made from ethnic -printed fabrics.  
2.48.  Cameroon and Chad are also covered by the "Third -Country Fabric" provision. Under this 
provision, they are not obliged to use fabric produced l ocally or in the subregion for their apparel 
exports to qualify for the advantages of the AGOA. However, this provision is not being used by  Chad 
and is used very little by Cameroon.  
2.4  Investment regime  
2.49.  The CEMAC Investment Charter23, adopted in 1999, reaffi rms the States' commitment to 
create a business -friendly environment by implementing competition regulations, protecting 
intellectual property, and developing services to support the strengthening of productivity and 
competitiveness. Pursuant to the Charte r, States undertake to grant foreign investment the same 
treatment as domestic investment, and to adapt domestic law and judicial policy to CEMAC's rules 
and provisions, as well as guarantee the application of the procedures and decisions of the 
Community' s judicial bodies.  
2.50.  The CEMAC countries are all parties to the main international investment guarantee 
arrangements. They are all members of the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee 
Agency  (MIGA). With the exception of Equatorial Guinea, the CEMAC  countries are also signatories 
to the Convention establishing the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes 
(ICSID).  
2.51.  All CEMAC countries are signatories to the Treaty on the Harmonization of Business Law in 
Africa (OHADA), which aims to h armonize business law in the 17 member countries. The OHADA 
Uniform Acts constitute the legal framework for business life and commercial activities, including by 
elaborating and adopting simple, modern and common rules adapted to the situation of the 
econo mies concerned, setting up appropriate judicial procedures, and promoting arbitration as a 
means of settling contractual disputes. Harmonization of the legal framework for business requires 
 
23 Regulation No. 17/99/CEMAC -020-CM-03 of 17 December 1999 on the CEMAC Investment Charter.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 25 - 
  the implementation of the Uniform Acts adopted by the Council of M inisters. As of 2020, 10 Uniform 
Acts were in force.24 
2.52.  All the OHADA Uniform Acts are directly applicable. The Common Court of Justice and 
Arbitration (CCJA) is the court of cassation for all disputes related to uniform law and hears appeals 
on points of l aw against the appellate decisions of national courts.  
2.53.  The OHADA Uniform Act relating to General Commercial Law defines the status of traders and 
middlemen such as commission agents and brokers, and includes common provisions governing 
commercial sales. Co mpany law is also harmonized, with consequences in terms of commercial 
presence: thus, foreign companies wishing to operate in CEMAC member States are required to 
locate their registered office in the territory of one of those States and to domicile their accounts 
there. However, these companies may, as first step, set up branches for a maximum of two years 
in those countries. At the end of  this period, the branches must be attached to  a company of one of 
the member States. The common commercial legislation  also deals with securities and arbitration. 
This has made it possible to promote arbitration as a judicial means of settling commercial disputes. 
Some countries have set up an arbitration centre within the Chamber of Commerce.  
2.54.  One Uniform Act applies spec ifically to contracts for the carriage of goods by road in the 
territory of an OHADA State party. The OHADA law is supported by accounting standards (SYSCOA), 
mandatory in member States.  
2.55.  The mechanism used to finance OHADA consists of a levy imposed at the  customs border of 
each member country, fixed at 0.05 % of the value of imports.  
2.56.  In accordance with the Community provisions, newly formed companies in the agricultural, 
industrial, mining or forestry sectors may qualify for an exemption from corporation ta x during their 
first three years of operation. Although the investment amortization rates are fixed at  the 
Community level, these companies may choose degressive or accelerated amortization.25 During the 
first years of operation, companies are authorized t o carry losses over to subsequent years. Tax 
reduction measures are also available when profits are reinvested. The methods of application vary 
from country to country (see country annexes).  
2.57.  Companies with subsidiaries may, under the following conditions, deduct income from shares 
or ownership interests in those subsidiaries from their taxable profits: the two companies must have 
their registered offices in the Community, while the parent company must hold at least  50% of the 
subsidiary's capital and must r etain its holdings for at least two consecutive  years.  
2.58.  The Investment Charter offers additional advantages. It provides for a reduction 
in registration fees in the following cases: company formation, capital increases, mergers, 
or transfers of stocks and s hares. It encourages the countries to introduce additional measures into 
legislation relating to the mining, tourism and forestry sectors. It also encourages States to take 
appropriate measures to  limit the reporting obligations and reduce the administrati ve burden of 
micro -enterprises and informal sector operators. States may also take measures to encourage 
enterprises to invest in landlocked or relatively underdeveloped regions (see country annexes). The 
authorities have indicated that the Investment Char ter is being revised.  
2.59.  Despite this harmonized framework, the CEMAC region is still considered to be the region of 
the world where it is most difficult to do business because of the cumbersome and costly regulations. 
According to the Doing Business 2020  report (Table 2.4), starting a business can take up to 58  days 
in Chad and requires 8 procedures (compared to 53  days and 11 procedures in 2012). The number 
of hours required to ensure documentary compliance for an export transaction varies from 48 
(Central A frican Republic) to 120 (Congo).  
 
24 These include Acts on: General Commercial Law, Commercial Companies and Economic Interest 
Groups (EIG) (revised in 2014), Organizing Securities Law, Org anizing Simplified Recovery Procedures and 
Measures of Execution, Insolvency Law (revised in 2015), Arbitration Law (revised in 2017), Contracts of 
Carriage of Goods by Road, Cooperative Societies Law, Accounting Law and Financial Information (revised 
in 2017), and Mediation (new act adopted in 2017).  
25 Directive relating to corporation tax (annex to Directive No. 02/01/UEAC -050-CM-06 revising Act 
No. 3/72-153-UDEAC of 22 December 1972 introducing the corporation tax).  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
- 26 - 
  2.60.  A separate report on doing business in OHADA member States, produced by the World Bank 
in 2017, concluded that there was still room to improve their economic performance, compared with 
the rest of sub -Saharan Africa, and th at OHADA's best practices are not always globally 
competitive.26 
2.61.  Corruption also remains a serious problem in all CEMAC countries. In the Transparency 
International 20 22 index, Gabon remains the best ranked country in the subregion, placed 1 36th out 
of 180  countries or territories. Congo and Chad were perceived to be highly corrupt, ranking 16 4th 
and 167th, respectively . 
2.62.  Adding to high trade costs and cumbersome procedures, the security situation in the region 
and the frequent political crises are further i mpacting trade in the region by increasing risks taken 
by traders and informality.  
Table 2.4 Trends in various indicators relating to the business environment, 
2012  and 2020  
 Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  
 2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  
Ease of doing business 
(rankinga) 161 167 183 180 170 169 185 184 184 182 
Starting a business  
Rankinga 125 104 180 179 157 96 170 180 181 186 
Procedure - Men 
(number)  6 5 11 10 10 7 8 10 11 8 
Time - Men (days)  16 13 158 49 54 10 22 22 53 58 
Procedure - Women 
(number)  7 6 12 11 10 7 8 10 11 8 
Time - Women (days)  17 14 159 50 54 10 22 22 53 58 
Trading across borders  
Rankinga 157 186 181 183 135 170 182 164 180 173 
Time to export: 
Documentary 
compliance (hours)  .. 66 .. 120 .. 60 .. 48 .. 87 
Time to import: 
Documentary 
compliance (hours)  .. 163 .. 208 .. 120 .. 120 .. 172 
Time to export: Border 
compliance (hours)  .. 202 .. 276 .. 96 .. 141 .. 106 
Time to import: Border 
compliance (hours)  .. 271 .. 397 .. 84 .. 122 .. 242 
Cost to export: 
Documentary 
compliance (USD)  .. 306 .. 165 .. 200 .. 60 .. 188 
Cost to import: 
Documentary 
compliance (USD)  .. 849 .. 310 .. 170 .. 500 .. 500 
Cost to export: Border 
compliance (USD)  .. 983 .. 1.975  .. 1.633  .. 280 .. 319 
Cost to import: Border 
compliance (USD)  .. 1.407  .. 1.581  .. 1.320  .. 709 .. 965 
Documents to export 
(number)  11 .. 11 .. 6 .. 9 .. 7 .. 
Time to export (days)  23 .. 50 .. 20 .. 54 .. 75 .. 
Documents to import 
(number)  12 .. 10 .. 8 .. 17 .. 10 .. 
Time to import (days)  25 .. 62 .. 22 .. 62 .. 101 .. 
.. Not available.  
a The rankings for 2012 and 2020 are based on 183 and 190 countries and economies, respectively.  
Source:  World Bank, Doing Business 2012 and 2020. Viewed at: 
https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/doingbusiness . 
 
26 World Bank (2017), Doing Business 20 17. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures directly af fecting imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  
3.1.  The customs procedures applicable at Community level are defined in the CEMAC Customs 
Code, last revised in 2019.27 The Code is aimed at harmonizing the national provisions concerning 
the orga nizational framework of the customs service and customs regimes and procedures.  
3.1.1.1   Registration  
3.2.  In the CEMAC countries, any operator wishing to carry out an import or export transaction 
must have importer/exporter status and be in possession of a trader's professional card.28 Local 
courts generally deal with enrolment in the trade and personal property credit register, and the 
trader's card is issued by the foreign trade directorate or chamber of commerce of the country 
concerned. However, the card  is not valid from one State to another.  
3.1.1.2   Preshipment inspection  
3.3.  There is no Community legislation on preshipment inspection. However, some member States 
use private companies to carry out preshipment or destination inspections (country annexes). 
Inspection s focus on the quality, quantity and value of the imports.  
3.4.  The inspection conditions vary according to the country. In general, products admitted 
free of duty and taxes, and products with a value below a certain threshold are exempt. That 
threshold varies according to the country. In each country, this operation is delegated to a private 
company and governed by an agreement binding the State to that company. The inspection fees are 
between 0.60% and 1% of the f.o.b. value of the goods, with a minimum levy. After inspection, the 
company issues a verification certificate which is required when the goods are cleared. The list of 
companies and the inspection fees are shown in Table 3.1.  
3.5.  The authorities have indicated their intention to scrap the requirement for preshipment or 
destination inspections carried out by private companies, in view of the costs that they entail for 
economic operators. Inspection fees  are not proportional to the services rendered, raise the cost of 
imported goods and make customs clearan ce more cumbersome.  
Table  3.1 Preshipment inspection companies and related fees  
Country  Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  
Inspection company  SGS Cotecna  n.a. Bureau Veritas  Bureau Veritas  
Exemption threshold (CFAF)  2,000,000  1,000,000  n.a. 500,000  2,000,000  
Fees (% of f.o.b. value)  0.95 0.60 n.a. 1.00 0.90 
Minimum fees (CFAF)  110,000  65,000  n.a. 140,000  100,000  
Import value corresponding to 
minimum fees (CFAF)  11,578,947  7,222,222  n.a. 14,000,000  11,111,111  
Rate corresponding to the  flat fee 
(% of exemption threshold)  5.5 2.2 n.a. 28 5 
n.a. Not applicable.  
Source:  Data obtained from the national authorities.  
 
27 The Customs Code currently in force stems from the CACEU Customs Code adopted in 1965 and 
amended several times. The latest revision was adopted by Regulation No.  05/19 -UEAC -010 A-CM-10 
of 8 August 2019 revising the CEMAC Customs Code.  
28 The status o f trader in the OHADA member countries is governed by the Uniform Act relating to 
General Commercial Law, in force since 1998 and revised in 2010.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.1.1.3   Customs declaration  
3.6.  The import procedure is triggered by filing an import declaration (intention to import or 
preliminary import declaration, as the case may be). According to the country, this is issued by the 
national trade directorate or the preshipment inspection company (see country annexes).  
3.7.  Depending on the nationa l regulations, some goods may be subject to special authorization or 
restrictions, which may involve obtaining an import licence or a certificate of conformity. For goods 
eligible for preferences, the operator must obtain and transmit the certificates of o rigin. For products 
of CEMAC origin, this certificate confers exemption from import duties and taxes.  
3.8.  Under the CEMAC Customs Code, a detailed declaration must be filed for all imported  goods. 
The declaration is made on a standardized form, the single admi nistrative document29, and contains 
the information needed to apply the customs procedure and compile foreign trade statistics. In some 
countries, depending on the value of the goods (Chad) or their nature (Gabon), it is possible to make 
a simplified declaration that allows for rapid clearance (see  country annexes). For goods declared 
for home use, a separate value declaration is required, which makes the import procedure more 
cumbersome.  
3.9.  Imports and exports can only be declared by the owner s of the goods or by approved customs 
clearing agents (Article 112). However, member States can restrict this right to approved customs 
clearing agents only. The declaration may be made electronically, in writing or orally. For online 
registration, the  CEMAC countries use the ASYCUDA World system. A project to interconnect 
customs administrations electronically has been underway since 2009.  
3.10.  The ability to make electronic declarations at customs offices varies from country to country 
(see country annexes). H owever, it is possible at the main customs offices. In the Central African 
Republic and Chad, other customs offices continue to encounter numerous difficulties relating to the 
operation and deployment of ASYCUDA, in particular, the networking of the IT equ ipment, the 
availability of an Internet connection, and the lack of trained personnel.  
3.11.  The customs procedures concerned are clearance for home use, transit (Section  2.2.2), 
warehousing, temporary admission, inward processing, drawback, "processing of goods  for home 
use"30, and transhipment.  
3.12.  With the exception of Chad, the countries collect a non -standardized fee (so -called IT fee) for 
declarations processed automatically (see country annexes).  
3.13.  Once the declaration has been registered, the customs administration checks the documents 
submitted, verifies the particulars, and determines the duties and taxes payable. A physical 
inspection of the goods may prove necessary. The  importer has a set time period to pay the duties 
and remove the goods. This pe riod varies according to the country (see country annexes). Once the 
period has expired, the goods are placed in a customs warehouse.  
3.14.  Payment for imports with a value of more than CFAF 5 million must be domiciled with an 
authorized resident intermediary, i f they come from a country outside the franc zone.31 For imports 
whose value exceeds CFAF 100 million, the payment must undergo a more rigorous process of 
verification by the financial intermediary, the aim being to "ensure the satisfactory outcome of the 
operation". Payment cannot be made until the import documents have been checked and 
countersigned by the customs service.  
 
29 Regulation No. 04/03 -UEAC -110-CM-09 of 9 January 2003 adopting the Single Administrative 
Document in the Co mmunity.  
30 "Processing of goods for home use" means the customs procedure under which imported goods may 
be manufactured, processed or worked, before clearance for home use and under Customs control, to such an 
extent that the amount of the import duties and taxes applicable to the products thus obtained is lower  than 
that which would be applicable to the imported goods. This procedure shall also be granted to imported goods 
already placed under another customs procedure.  
31 Regulation No. 02/00/CEMA C/UMAC/CM of 29 April 2000 harmonizing the foreign exchange 
regulations in the CEMAC member States.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 29 - 
 
  3.15.  Imports by sea must be accompanied by an electronic cargo tracking note (ECTN) This note 
is not covered by a  Community regulation. It is generally produced by the ministry responsible for 
transport in each country and has to be filed with the national shippers' councils (see country 
annexes). The  fees for issuing this document vary from one country to another and can give rise 
to discrim inatory treatment depending on the point of loading of the goods imported. The authorities 
recognize  the challenge of harmonizing ECTN costs at the regional level and are proposing a range 
of tariffs to offset discriminatory treatment depending on the impo rted goods' point of loading. A 
project to harmonize ECTN tariffs is therefore under discussion within CEMAC.  
3.16.  Where customs valuation is concerned, the CEMAC Customs Code incorporates the provisions 
of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994. Articles 26 to 33 of the Code 
define how the customs value of imported goods is to be determined. In principle, the transaction 
value constitutes the primary basis for determining the customs value of the goods. 
The Code prohibits the use of min imum, arbitrary or fictitious values. Where there is reasonable 
doubt as to the truth or accuracy of the value declared by the importer, it is recommended to use 
reasonable means consistent with the principles and general provisions of Article VII of the G ATT. 
However, some countries continue to use minimum values in practice (see country annexes).  
3.17.  Despite the existence of common rules, it has been observed that border clearance 
requirements and formalities lack clarity, consistency and transparency.32 For example, formalities 
and related costs can vary from one site to another, and frequently involve a margin of discretion 
related to the individual judgment of the official on duty.  
3.18.  All the CEMAC countries that are WTO Members have ratified the Agreement on Trade 
Facilitation. They have also ratified their Category A, B and C obligations under the Agreement (see 
country annexes).  
3.1.2   Rules of origin  
3.19.  The CEMAC countries do not apply non -preferential rules of origin.  
3.20.  Regulation No. 21/07 -UEAC -1505 U -CM-16 of 18 Dec ember 2007 establishes the legal bases 
for determining the origin of imported goods.33 Community origin is granted to local products and 
traditional handicraft products. For industrial products, Community origin is granted if the products 
are recognized as  having been manufactured on the territory of the Union and if one of the following 
conditions is found to have been met:  
• the product is wholly obtained from raw materials of Community origin;  
• community raw materials account for at least 40% of the value o f the raw materials used; 
or 
• the local value added is equal to at least 30% of the ex -factory value.34 
3.21.  This rule does not apply to products resulting from assembly, packaging or preserving 
operations, or to products resulting from inward or outward process ing procedures.  
3.22.  A CEMAC "Origin Committee" was set up in 200835, but does not meet regularly. It is 
responsible for approving products of CEMAC origin manufactured by subregional enterprises and 
for issuing technical opinions on disputes relating to these products.  
 
32 World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa , p. 44. 
"The enforcement of CEMAC provisions also appears to be irregular at best, despite users (including both 
border officials and traders) being often aware of them".  
33 These rules of origin have been notified by Cameroon (WTO document G/RO/N/99 of 
18 September  2013) and Congo (WTO document G/RO/N/118  of 18 September 2014).  
34 The modalities for determining the local value added are set out in Circular 
No. 179/CEMAC/SE/DMC/SDAD of 24 October 2003 and its Corrigendum No. 027/CEMAC/SE/DMC/SDAD 
of 11 February 2004.  
35 Regulation No. 07/08 -UEAC -193-CM-17 est ablishing an Origin Committee.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 30 - 
 
  3.23.  To obtain approval, the operator must submit an application dossier, based on a model defined 
by the CEMAC Commission, to the ministry responsible for industry or trade.36 A national approval 
committee determines the Community origin of the produ cts in question. If the application for 
approval is accepted, the dossier is referred to the Origin Committee, which examines it and 
recommends a decision to the Council of Ministers. To date, national committees have been set up 
in Cameroon, Gabon and the  Central African Republic (see country annexes).  
3.24.  Community origin is certified by means of a movement certificate issued by the customs 
authorities. In the case of local products, all customs offices are competent to issue movement 
certificates. For manufa ctured products, they can be issued only by the customs offices of the place 
in which the enterprise is situated.  
3.1.3   Tariffs  
3.1.3.1   Common External Tariff  
3.25.  The CEMAC countries have been applying a common external tariff (CET) to imports from 
third countries since 200 0. Updated in accordance with the 2022 version of the Harmonized System, 
the CET consists of 6,064 10 -digit lines and is ad valorem  for all lines. It has five  bands defined as 
follows: certain cultural and aviation -related products (0%), basic necessities (5%), raw materials 
and capital goods (10%), intermediate and miscellaneous goods  (20%), and daily consumer goods 
(30%). Nearly half (45.5%) of the tariff lines are subject to the 10% rate, while 37.1% are subject 
to the 30% rate (Chart  3.1). CEMAC does no t apply tariff quotas.  
3.26.  The rates are moderately dispersed with a coefficient of variation of 0.5 from the average of 
18.3% (Table 3.2). The overall level of customs duties remains very high, hampering productivity 
growth, and preventing the efficient allocation of resources and diversification of CEMAC countries 
and their integration into global value chains. Thus, the high level of tariff protection hinders the 
region's competitiveness, poses an obstacle to development and is detrimental to the fight against 
poverty.  
3.27.  Tariff analysis reveals a very high level of protection for apparel (30%) and some agricultural 
products (WTO definition) such as coffee and tea (28.5%), beverages and tobacco  (27.5%), and 
fruit, vegetables and plants (26.7%) (Ta ble 3.3). On the other hand, cotton and oil are at the other 
end of the spectrum with a protection rate of 10% on all products.  
3.28.  Agriculture, as defined in ISIC (Rev. 2), remains the most protected sector with an average 
tariff rate of 23.6% (Table 3.3). In  fact, 65.9% of the tariff lines relating to agricultural products are 
subject to the 30% rate (Chart 3.1). The extractive industries sector, on the other hand, is the least 
protected: 90.0% of the tariff lines are subject to the 10% rate.  
3.29.  Only 0.7% of the  tariff lines are subject to the 0% rate. As a result, many basic and essential 
products are subject to a rate of 5% or more. For example, this is the case for pharmaceuticals and 
mosquito nets, which can hinder the fight against diseases such as malaria.37 
Table  3.2 Structure of the CEMAC CET, 2013 and 2023  
 CEMAC CET 
2013  CEMAC CET 
2023  
Simple average of the MFN rates applied  18.1 18.3 
 Agricultural products (WTO definition)  22.4 22.8 
 Non-agricultural products (WTO definition)c 17.4 17.5 
 Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (ISIC 1)  23.6 23.6 
 Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2)  11.2 11.2 
 Manufacturing (ISIC 3)  17.8 17.9 
Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  0.6 0.7 
Simple average of rates (dutiable lines)  18.2 18.4 
 
36 Regulation No. 19/08 -UEAC -010 H -CM-18 relating to the approval procedure for products of 
CEMAC  origin.  
37 Klau, A. (2017), "When bad trade policy costs human lives: tariffs on mosquito nets". Viewed at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/ersd201714_e.htm . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 31 - 
 
   CEMAC CET 
2013  CEMAC CET 
2023  
Non-ad valorem  duties (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 
Domestic tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)a 0.0 0.0 
International tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)b 48.1 49.0 
Overall standard deviation of applied rates  9.6 9.7 
Change in coefficient  0.5 0.5 
"Nuisance" applied rates (% of all tariff lines)c 0.0 0.0 
a Domestic tariff peaks are defined as rates three times higher than the overall simple average 
of applied rates.  
b International tariff peaks are defined as rates above 15%.  
c Nuisance rates are those that are greater than zero, but less than or equal to 2%.  
Note:  The 2013 tariff consists of 5,493 tariff lines (10 -digit, in accordance  with the HS 2007 
nomenclature).  
 The 2022 tariff consists of 6,064 tariff lines (10 -digit, in accordance with the HS 2022 
nomenclature).  
 Calculations are based on the national tariff line level (8 -digit).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, on the basi s of data provided by CEMAC.  
Table  3.3 Summary analysis of the CEMAC CET, 2023  
 Number of 
lines Simple average of 
rates (%)  Range of rates 
(%) Change in 
coefficient  
Total  6,064  18.3 0-30 0.5 
Harmonized System (HS)  
 Chapters 1 to 24  1,092  24.2 5-30 0.4 
 Chapters 25 to 97  4,972  17.0 0-30 0.6 
WTO definition  
Agriculture  899 22.8 5-30 0.4 
 Products of animal origin  117 19.3 5-30 0.5 
 Dairy products  29 26.2 10-30 0.2 
 Fruit, vegetables and plants  243 26.7 5-30 0.3 
 Coffee, tea  81 28.5 5-30 0.2 
 Cereals and other preparations  106 21.0 5-30 0.5 
 Oil seeds, fats and oils  89 20.0 5-30 0.5 
 Sugars and sugar confectionery  19 21.6 10-30 0.5 
 Beverages and tobacco  67 27.5 5-30 0.2 
 Cotton  7 10.0 10 0.0 
 Other agricultural products  141 16.6 5-30 0.6 
Non-agricultural products  5,165  17.5 0-30 0.5 
 Fish and fishery products   261 25.6 10-30 0.2 
 Metals and mineral products  962 17.0 5-30 0.5 
 Chemicals  1,025  11.2 5-30 0.5 
 Wood, paper, etc.  406 23.0 0-30 0.4 
 Textiles  608 19.4 0-30 0.4 
 Apparel  210 30.0 30 0.0 
 Leather, footwear, etc.  158 20.8 0-30 0.5 
 Non-electrical machinery  589 12.2 0-30 0.5 
 Electrical machinery  280 16.5 10-30 0.5 
 Transport equipment  225 16.8 0-30 0.6 
 Other manufactured articles 
n.e.c.   418 22.4 0-30 0.4 
 Petroleum oil  23 10.0 10 0.0 
By ISICa sector  
 Agriculture, hunting, 
 forestry and fishing  519 23.6 5-30 0.4 
 Mining and quarrying  100 11.2 5-30 0.4 
 Manufacturing   5,444  17.9 0-30 0.5 WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 32 - 
 
   Number of 
lines Simple average of 
rates (%)  Range of rates 
(%) Change in 
coefficient  
By degree of processing  
 Raw materials  902 20.6 5-30 0.5 
 Semi -finished products  1,947  14.7 0-30 0.5 
 Finished products  3,215  19.8 0-30 0.5 
a International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (Rev.2), electricity, gas and 
water excluded (one tariff line).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, on the basis of data provided by CEMAC.  
Chart  3.1 MFN duties by sector, 2023  
 
 
Note:  Internatio nal Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (Rev.2), electricity, gas and 
water excluded.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, on the basis of data provided by the CEMAC Commission.  
3.30.  The CET is proving difficult to apply due to the nu merous waivers and "safeguard" measures 
in place in the member countries. Exemptions and relief from duties and taxes are governed by 
Articles 331 and 332 of the revised CEMAC Customs Code. Each country continues to apply the CET 
with exceptions specific t o that country. Derogations generally derive from measures to tackle the 
"high cost of living", or to implement establishment agreements and free -trade agreements such as 
the EPA between Cameroon and the EU, and the EPA between Cameroon and the United King dom. 
3.31.  Overall, the CET displays  mixed escalation: negative for unprocessed to semi -finished 
products, and positive for semi-finished to finished products (Chart 3.2). This overall tariff structure 
is similar to that for food products, beverages and tobacco products, and for "other  manufacturing". 
However, the tariff escalation is positive in the "textile and wearing apparel", "paper and paper 
products, printing and publishing", "chemical", "non -metallic mineral products", and "fabricated 
metal products, mach inery and equipment" industries. In the "wood and products of wood" industry 
the tariff escalation is mixed (positive for unprocessed to semi -processed products and then 
negative, with average rates of more than 20%).  
0.7%4.9%45.5%
11.9%37.1%
0.0%10.0%14.6%
9.4%65.9%
0.0%2.0%90.0%
3.0%5.0%
0.8%4.4%47.6%
12.3%34.9%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%0%5%10%20%30%0%5%10%20%30%0%5%10%20%30%0%5%10%20%30%
TOTAL
(6,064 tariff lines)Agriculture
(519 tariff lines)Manufacturing
(5,444 tariff lines)Mining and quarrying
(100 tariff lines)WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 33 - 
 
  Chart  3.2 CEMAC CET rate escalation, 2023  
 
Note:  The product groups are defined by ISIC to two -digits.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, on the basis of data provided by CEMAC.  
3.32.   The CET revision initiative is the responsibility of the Nomencl ature and Tariff Committee. 
However, apart from its transposition to HS 2017, the CET has not been revised since its adoption 
in 2000.  
3.1.3.2   Bound tariff  
3.33.  The CEMAC countries have individually made tariff -binding commitments within the 
multilateral trading system  (Table 3.4 and country annexes). With the adoption of the CEMAC CET, 
the rates applied are, for some products, higher than the commitments undertaken by Congo, Gabon 
and the Central African Republic. As part of a renegotiation under Article XXVIII of the GATT, Gabon 
has significantly reduced the number of rates applied that are higher than  its commitments since 
the last review (Gabon annex).38 
Table  3.4 National tariff bindings  
  Cameroon  Republic of 
the Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  
Bound tariff lines (% of total lines)  14.0 16.8 100.0  61.6 14.3 
Simple average of the bound rates  79.9 27.4 23.7 35.8 79.9 
Range of bound rates (%)  50-80 5-30 5-60 20-70 75-80 
Note:  Final bound rates are based on the consolidated tariff schedules (CTS) in the nomenclature of 
HS 2017 for all member States, with the exception of Gabon (HS 2012). The calculations are based 
on the bound (including partially bound) tariff lines.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, on the basis of data provided by the WTO, Consolidated Tariff 
Schedule Database.  
3.1.3.3   Duty and tax concessions  
3.34.  Relief and exemptions from duties and taxes are governed by Act No. 13/65 -UDEAC -35 of 
14 December 1965 establishing the conditions for the application of Art icle 241 of the CACEU  
 
38 WTO documents G/MA/TAR/RS/446 of 23 September 2016 and G/MA/TAR/RS/446/Add.1 of 
22 February 2017.  
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%
N.A.Unprocessed
productsSemi -processed
productsFinished productsFood products, 
beverages and 
tobacco products
Textiles and 
wearing apparel
Wood and 
products of wood
Paper and paper 
products, printing 
and publishing
Chemicals 
Non-metallic 
mineral products
Basic metals
Fabricated metal 
products, 
machinery and 
equipment
Other 
manufacturingN.A.Manufacturing totalAverage applied rate in the manufacturing sector (17.9%)WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Customs Code and its successive revisions.39 Customs and tax benefits are governed by Articles 332 
and 333 of the revised CEMAC Customs Code. These regulations lay down a list of products and 
equipment eligible for relief, together wi th the conditions for granting relief. Pursuant to these 
regulations, the following may be admitted free of import duties and taxes40: 
• goods being returned to the customs territory (provided they are imported within two 
years of being exported);  
• consignments sent in the framework of international State -to-State relations 
and diplomatic privileges and immunities (subject to reciprocity);  
• household effects imported when transferring residence (excluding motor vehicles, 
motorcycles, aircraft, and spo rts or pleasure craft);  
• inherited goods;  
• educational supplies and wedding trousseaux;  
• consignments of a non -commercial character;  
• products and objects intended for the Red Cross or similar organizations providing 
assistance and relief (the list of which is  drawn up by the Minister responsible for 
public  health);  
• vestments, products, instruments and objects used for the performance of religious 
ceremonies (addressed directly to the officials of the religious groups in question);  
• products and equipment import ed by the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and 
Madagascar (ASECNA) within the context of its activities;  
• certain products and equipment imported by airlines for use in the context of their 
activities inside an international airport; and  
• education al, scientific and cultural materials imported by institutions (the list of which is 
drawn up by the Minister responsible for finance).  
3.35.  The suspensive customs procedures (temporary admission, inward processing, etc.) allow 
certain economic operators to int roduce material and equipment duty -free. With regard to the 
temporary admission procedure, the list of eligible products and equipment is drawn up at the 
Community level. Such a list exists for equipment used to explore for and exploit hydrocarbons.41 
The national customs authorities can also authorize temporary admission for the introduction of 
technical equipment provisionally imported by mining and oil companies for research and 
prospecting purposes (see country annexes).  
3.36.  In 2008, with a view to combatin g soaring food prices, the Council of Ministers adopted a 
regulation authorizing the countries to derogate from the Community rules, for an initial period of 
six months, regarding the application of import duties and VAT on animal, vegetable and fish 
produ cts.42 Thus, the countries took measures that included, in particular, capping the prices of 
imported products, and reducing or suspending import duties and taxes, including VAT.  
 
39 Mainly Acts No. 2/92 -UDEAC -556-CD-SE1, No. 8/93 -UDEAC -556-CD-SE1, 
No. 28/94 -UDEAC -556-CD-56, and No. 18/96 -UDEAC -556-CD-57. 
40 The authorities have indicated that a draft revision of this regulation is under preparation, which is 
expected to extend the exemption t o donations to non -governmental organizations.  
41 It is annexed to Directive No. 1/99/CEMAC -028-CM-03 of 17 December 1999 harmonizing the 
member States' legislation on value added tax (VAT) and excise duty, and its revising Directive 
No. 07/11 -UEAC -028-CM-22. 
42 Regulation No. 06/08 -UEAC -180-CM-17 of 20 June 2008 on derogation measures in favour of the 
CEMAC member States.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.37.  The authorities have indicated that the draft revised CEMAC Customs Code cont ains new 
provisions and innovations providing a framework for all suspensive and economic arrangements.  
3.1.3.4   Tariff preferences  
3.38.  Products recognized as originating in the Community can circulate in the subregion duty -free. 
However, in the absence of free circula tion, goods cleared for home use in a CEMAC country are 
subject to import duties and taxes whenever they cross the border between member States.  
3.39.  There are no reliable statistics on intra -Community trade that could serve as a basis for 
calculating the loss of income. The authorities recognize the need to speed up the process of setting 
up an appropriate mechanism to put an end to double taxation.  
3.1.3.5   Other import duties and taxes  
3.40.  To CET payments there should be added the levies intended to finance certain Commun ity 
initiatives and various national levies. At the Community level, these include:  
• the Community integration tax (TCI), levied at the rate of 1% on imports from countries 
outside the CEMAC zone and intended to finance the area's integration process;  
• the C ommunity integration contribution (CCI), levied at the rate of 0.4% on imports from 
outside ECCAS and intended to finance ECCAS and its institutions (currently being 
collected by Congo, Gabon, the Central African Republic and Chad); and  
• the OHADA levy, cha rged at the rate of 0.05% on imports from non -member countries 
and intended to finance the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa 
(OHADA).  
3.41.  Other national levies, such as the statistical fee and the IT fee, are applied at rates that va ry 
from country to country (see country annexes).  
3.42.  These various duties and taxes levied at the Community and national levels are inconsistent 
with the multilateral commitments of Congo, the  Central African Republic and Chad.  
3.1.4   Internal taxes  
3.43.  All the CEMAC countries apply value added tax (VAT) and excise duty. The regimes for these 
taxes were harmonized by a directive adopted in 1999 and revised in 2011.43 However, the rates in 
force vary depending on the country.  
3.1.4.1   Value added tax  
3.44.  VAT is applicable to goods and services whether locally produced or imported. For local 
products, the tax base is the ex -factory value. For imports, it comprises the customs value,  as 
defined in the CEMAC Customs Code, customs duties and excise duty. Each country is free to choose 
the rate of VAT from an initial range of 15% to 19%. A zero rate is applicable to exports, their 
accessories and international transport.  
3.45.  The VAT directiv e establishes a list of goods and services eligible for exemption.44 This 
includes, in  particular, local products, imports of duty -free goods (in accordance with the provisions 
of the Customs Code), certain goods and services regarded as basic necessities (Annex  2 to the 
directive), and some pharmaceutical products and medical equipment (Annex 2 to the directive). 
The directive prohibits any relief or  exemption measure not on this list, including in the form of 
incentives to start up a  business or to invest . In practice, the individual countries diverge from the 
Community list (see country annexes).  
 
43 Directive No. 1/99/CEMAC -028-CM-03 of 17 December 1999 harmonizing the member States' 
legislation on value added tax (VAT) and excise du ty, and its revising Directive No.  07/11 -UEAC -028-CM-22. 
44 Directive No.  07/11 -UEAC -028-CM-22. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.46.  According to Annex 4 to the directive, CEMAC member countries may levy a lower VAT rate 
(between 5% and 10%) on the following products: other medical and surgica l furniture; imported 
insecticides and pesticides; imported fertilizer; imported flour and wheat; imported meat and 
poultry; imported milk and cream, not concentrated, containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter; imported milk and cream, concentrated , containing added sugar; and books (other than 
textbooks).  
3.1.4.2   Excise duty  
3.47.  Adopted in 2019, Directive No. 03/19 -UEAC -010A -CM-33 sets out  a list of products on which 
excise duty may be levied. Each country is free to draw up its national list by choosing produ cts from 
the Community list. However, the national list must necessarily include tobacco , alcoholic beverages 
and passenger vehicles. Petroleum products are not covered by the Community directive.  
3.48.  The directive establishes compulsory minimum ad valorem  rates on goods,  leaving member 
States free to apply their own specific taxation (see country annexes).  
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.49.  According to Article 13 of the Convention governing the Central African Economic Union 
(CAEU), the establis hment of the common market provides for the elimination of quantitative 
restrictions on the entry of goods. Consequently, member countries undertake not to introduce new 
restrictions and measures with equivalent effect other than "for reasons of public mor ality, public 
order, public safety, protection of human, animal or plant life or health, protection of cultural, 
historical or archaeological heritage, and protection of intellectual property" (Article 16).  
3.50.  Under the CEMAC Customs Code, goods may generally  be imported freely. However, gold is 
subject to special regulations. Consequently, the products covered by such regulations vary from 
country to country (see country annexes). Generally speaking, importing animal products requires 
a sanitary certificate, and importing plant products requires a phytosanitary certificate. Certain 
products, such as sugar, pharmaceuticals and weapons, are subject to specific regulations.  
3.51.  According to the notifications received by the WTO, Cameroon and Gabon no longer have 
import licences, while Chad's import licensing regime applies to sulphur and other explosive 
products.45 Import licences and/or quotas are applied to certain products in Congo and the 
Central  African Republic.  
3.1.6   Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measure s 
3.52.  Under the CAEU Convention, at the request of a member State, the Council of Ministers may 
authorize a State, for a limited period, to take protective measures intended to deal with serious 
difficulties in one or more economic sectors. Article 22 of the C onvention stipulates that in the event 
of a sudden economic crisis affecting, in particular, the balance of payments, a member State may, 
"as a precaution, take the necessary safeguard measures", but without further clarifying the nature 
of these measures.  However, the measures must cause the least possible disturbance in the 
functioning of the common market, must not last for more than six months (possibly renewable), 
and must be endorsed by the Council of Ministers. The latter may also decide to amend, su spend or 
abolish them.  
3.53.  The anti -dumping and countervailing duty arrangements are governed by the 
CEMAC  Customs Code. Article 12 of the Code specifies the conditions under which these duties can 
be imposed. One prerequisite is that the goods in question "ar e causing or threatening to cause 
material injury to domestic producers of identical or directly competitive products of a member 
State". In the case of countervailing duties, they are applicable only if the goods benefit from a 
foreign " incentive or subs idy, directly or indirectly, regardless of its nature, origin or method of 
allocation". Anti -dumping duties can be applied to goods for which the price paid or payable is less 
than the comparable price charged by the supplier for like products in the count ry of origin or in any 
transit country. The procedures for applying these duties and the duty rates are determined by the 
 
45 WTO documents G/LIC/N/3/CMR/7 of 10 April 2017 (Cameroon), G/LIC/N/1/GAB/3 of 4 June 2013 
(Gabon) and G/LIC/N/3/TCD/3 of 3 October 2013 (Chad).  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Council of  Ministers. The authorities have indicated that the draft texts for the application of these 
duties have been drawn up and w ill be submitted to the CAEU Council of Ministers for adoption.  
3.2  Measures directly affecting exports  
3.2.1   Registration and customs procedures  
3.54.  All exports must be declared in detail in accordance with the provisions of the CEMAC Customs 
Code and national regulati ons. 
3.55.  Only economic operators with importer/exporter status are authorized to engage in an export 
activity (Section  3.1.1.2). For statistical purposes, a detailed declaration is required for any export 
operation. The customs procedures applicable are simple  exit, re -exportation, and the customs 
procedures with economic impact.  
3.56.  The export procedure generally begins with obtaining an export declaration. Depending on 
the nature of the goods, a sanitary or phytosanitary certificate, an authorization or a permit may be 
required. Then comes preshipment inspection, where appropriate, and the collection of export 
revenues. Exports to destinations outside the franc zone are subject to domiciliation with an 
approved intermediary if their value is found to exceed CFAF  5 million, to ensure repatriation of 
export earnings.  
3.2.2   Export taxes, charges and levies  
3.57.  Article 14 of the Community Customs Code allows each member State to set export duties 
and taxes. The rates and products covered by such duties vary from country to count ry (see country 
annexes).  
3.58.  Products and materials granted an import duty or tax concession (Section 3.1.3.3) are also 
eligible for exemption from exit duties and taxes if exported for similar reasons.  
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.59.  Under Article 16 of the Convention governing the CAEU, member States may prohibit or 
restrict exports where such prohibitions or restrictions are justified for reasons of public morality, 
public order, public safety, protection of human, animal o r plant life or health, protection of cultural, 
historical or archaeological heritage, and protection of intellectual property. However, the products 
covered by such regulations vary from country to country (see country annexes).  
3.60.  The CEMAC countries are al l signatories to the Convention on International Trade 
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Accordingly, the export of these species 
is prohibited or subject to authorization (see country annexes).  
3.2.4   Export promotion and free zone regime  
3.61.  With the exception of the  free trade zone  requirements , there are no Community provisions 
on export support and promotion.  
3.62.  The CEMAC Customs Code grants member States the right to establish industrial or 
commercial free zones outside the customs regime.46 Goods admitted to commercial free zones shall 
be allowed to undergo operations necessary for their preservation, to improve their packaging or 
marketable quality , or to prepare them for shipment. On the other hand, the processing operations 
applicable to goo ds in industrial free zones are covered by  national  legislation.  
3.63.  On leaving the free zone, goods destined for abroad may transit under customs escort or 
under the general Community transit conditions. Article 9 of the CEMAC Customs Code provides that 
"when  goods from free zones are introduced into CEMAC, they are eligible for either a suspensive 
procedure or clearance for home use, subject to the payment of import duties and taxes". The 
 
46 Act No. 2/96 -UDEAC -1297-57 of 1 July 1996 adopting the regulations on the operation of the free 
zone in the CACEU.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Customs Code leaves it to the States to determine the volume of goods t hat can be cleared for home 
use on exiting a free zone. Cameroon, Congo and Gabon have supplemented these regulations with 
national legislation (see country annexes).  
3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  
3.64.  There are no Community provisions concerning ex port finance, insurance, and guarantees.  
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade  
3.3.1   Standards and other technical requirements  
3.65.  The CEMAC  Investment Charter provides for the establishment of a standardization, 
metrology and certification system in each country , as well as at the Community level. This system 
must comply with international rules, including the provisions of the WTO and the  International 
Organization for Standardization. The Central African subregional metrology organization 
(CEMACMET), establishe d in 2011 and attached to the CEMAC Commission, is intended to promote 
metrology and related activities with a view to facilitating trade.  
3.66.  At the national level, the countries are at different stages as regards the status of the national 
body responsible f or quality or standards (see country annexes). They also have different status 
within the ISO. Cameroon and Gabon, which have member body status, are authorized to 
participate, with full voting rights, in the drafting of any important standard. Congo, the Central 
African Republic and  Chad are not members. Cameroon, Congo and Gabon are members of the 
African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO).  
3.67.  With regard to pharmaceutical products, the Organization for the Coordination of the Fight 
against End emic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC), the statute for which was adopted  in 201447, 
steers the process of harmonizing national pharmaceutical policies. It has drawn up a text that 
defines, among other things, the criteria for drug approval, pharmaceutica l inspection and quality 
control. Cameroon's National Drug Quality Control and Expertise Laboratory (LANACOME) has been 
identified to serve as a benchmark.  
3.68.  Other Community initiatives include the introduction of a quality programme for agrifood 
products (C EMAC quality system) and a "CEMAC Infrastructure -quality" chapter intended to promote 
activities relating to standards, certification and accreditation.  
3.3.2   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
3.69.  Sanitary and phytosanitary  (SPS)  regulations are not yet harmon ized within CEMAC. National 
measures regulate the importation of certain goods that might pose a risk to public health or safety 
or are simply of strategic interest.  
3.70.  The Economic Commission on Cattle, Meat and Fish Resources (CEBEVIRHA), a specialized 
CEMA C agency created in December  201448, aims to improve the health of livestock and fishery 
resources in the region.  
3.71.  ECCAS has a regional SPS committee, a focal point on plant health and a focal point on animal 
health.49 A Codex Alimentarius focal point is st ill missing. A number of projects have been 
implemented in the framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme 
(CAADP). These include the "African Veterinary Governance Programme" (which led to the creation 
of the Central African Re gional Animal Health Centre), and the two phases of the "Participation of 
African Nations in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard -setting Organizations".  
3.72.  In the area of plant health, a CEMAC regulation on pesticide approval ha s been in force since 
2004. It define s the approval criteria and give s the competent authorities of the member States 
 
47 Regulation No. 7/14_UEAC -OCEAC -CM-28 of 22 December 2014.  
48 Regulation No. 6/14_UEAC -OCEAC -CM-28 of 22 December 2014.  
49 WTO document G/SPS/GEN/1718 of 5 July 2019.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  discretion to control the importation, exportation, marketing, utilization and destruction of approved 
pesticides.  
3.73.  The Pesticides Committee of Central Africa (CPAC) is r esponsible for the common approval of 
pesticides in the CEMAC zone.50 It has initiated a process of regionalization of approvals and 
published a list of pesticides approved at the regional level (Table 3.5). CPAC is also planning to set 
up a subregional la boratory for the analysis of pesticides and pesticide residues in foodstuffs in 
Central Africa.  
Table 3.5 Pesticides approved in the CEMAC zone  
Trade name  Name and content of active 
ingredient(s)  Restrictions  
Insecticides  
SUPER  12 EC  Cypermethrin 12 g/l  - Wear personal protective equipment 
(PPE);  
- Use away from watercourses and 
beekeeping areas;  
- Respect the 14 -day pre -harvest period  
SUPER  50 EC  Cypermethrin 50 g/l  - Wear PPE;  
- Use away from watercourses and 
beekeeping areas;  
- Respect the 14 -day pre -harvest period  
Herbicides  
GLYCOL  41% SL  Glyphosate 480 g/l  - Wear PPE  
GLYCOL  680 WDG  Glyphosate 680 g/kg  - Wear PPE;  
- Use away from watercourses  
SUPER KILLER  680 WDG  Glyphosate 680 g/kg - Wear PPE;  
- Use away from watercourses  
Fungicides  
AGREB  80 WP  Maneb 800 g/kg  - Wear PPE;  
- Use away from watercourses;  
- Respect the 7 -day pre -harvest period  
Public health products  
BOXER  10 WP  Lambda -cyhalothrin 100 g/kg  - Wear PPE, especially goggles;  
- Use away from watercourses  
Source:  Secretariat of the Central African Pesticide Approval Commission, List of Pesticides Approved in the 
CEMAC Zone , May  2017.  
3.74.  In April  2019, CPAC adopted decisions (1) prohibiting the importation, dis tribution and 
storage of 54 active substances51; (2) regulating the importation, distribution, use, and storage of 
three other substances (alachlor, tributyltin compounds and monocrotophos)52; and (3) setting fees 
for the review of dossiers for the regional approval of pesticides.53 
3.75.  As regards rules governing the production, quality control, certification and marketing of plant 
seeds and seedlings in the zone, CEMAC began assembling a Catalogue of Plant Species and Varieties 
(CEVAC) in 2014.54 The Ca talogue contains a restrictive list of varieties or varietal types whose seed 
may be produced and marketed within the Community. It comprises all the varieties of species of 
Community interest approved in the member States.  
3.76.  With regard to pharmaceutical pr oducts, in 2002 CEMAC designated the OCEAC as its 
specialized public health body. Accordingly, this Organization is overseeing the process of 
harmonizing national pharmaceutical policies. Thus, it developed a draft common pharmaceutical 
policy in April  2013. Among other things, this text defines the criteria for drug approval, 
pharmaceutical inspection and quality control. LANACOME has been identified to serve as a 
benchmark.  
3.77.  Due to the lack of testing equipment, prescribed protocols and training, SPS inspe ctions in 
the region often remain purely visual, and low -risk products are treated in the same way as high -risk 
 
50 Additional Act No. 07/CEMAC -CCE-11 of 25 July 2012, which establishes CPAC as a specialized 
institution of the Central African Economic Union.  
51 Decision No. 013 /CEMAC/CPAC/DG/DS.  
52 Decision No. 014 /19/CEMAC/CPAC/DG/DS.  
53 Decision No. 002 /CEMAC/CPAC/DG/2019.  
54 Regulation No. 002/14 -UEAG -224-CM-27 of 20 October 2014.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  ones. As a result, it has been pointed out that SPS certification, as currently practiced, is more a bout 
collecting  revenue than protecti ng against genuine food safety or plant and animal health risks.55 
3.3.3   Competition policy and price controls  
3.78.  The Community competition regime comprises the Competition Rules56, and the Rules on the 
Procedure for the Application of Competition Rules.57 The Regional Competition Council (CRC) is the 
body responsible for monitoring the application of the rules.  
3.79.  A revision of the competition rules was adopted in April  2019, addressing anti -competitive 
business practices attributable to companies and state p ractices affecting trade between member 
States. The regulations concern three types of practice, namely certain unlawful agreements, certain 
mergers, and abuses of dominant position. The  Community regulations give a non -exhaustive list of 
practices conside red to be unlawful, including, fixing, directly or indirectly, purchase or selling prices 
or any other trading conditions; limiting or controlling production, markets, technical development 
or investment; sharing markets or sources of supply; and applying dissimilar conditions to equivalent 
transactions with other trading partners. However, agreements which are considered to make an 
effective contribution to the development of economic efficiency, or to give consumers or users a 
certain benefit or advantage , and agreements deemed indispensable for achieving economic 
efficiency are not prohibited.  
3.80.  Where mergers are concerned, the regulations do not seek to prohibit them but rather to 
prevent operations that might have an adverse effect on competition.58 The r egional competition 
monitoring body must be notified before any operation with a Community dimension is carried out. 
A concentration is said to have a Community dimension when the common market turnover of at 
least two of the undertakings concerned is more  than CFAF 10 billion each, or the parties to the 
merger together hold 30% of the regional market.59 The regulation defines the procedures to be 
followed for such notifications.  
3.81.  Under the regulations, any monopoly or situation conducive to the acquisition of a market 
share of 30% or more constitutes a dominant position. Abuse of such a position is a punishable 
offence.  
3.82.  The regulations on government practices that affect trade between member States address 
matters such as state aid for enterprises, the situa tion of enterprises with legal monopoly status, 
and competition for government contracts. State aid can take various forms, including, subsidies, 
tax exemptions, exemptions from parafiscal charges, interest rebates, loan guarantees on especially 
favourable  terms, provision of  goods on preferential terms, and coverage of operating losses. This 
aid is deemed to be incompatible with the common market when it distorts or threatens to distort 
free competition.60 
3.83.  Enterprises with legal monopoly status must make s ure to avoid abusive practices such as 
tied selling, the unjustified imposition of discriminatory conditions of sale, refusal to sell, the practice 
of unjustifiably breaking off commercial relations, or using income from monopoly activities to 
subsidize sa les in other sectors.61 
3.84.  Community competition law is implemented by a Community competition monitoring body, a 
Community court, and national competition control agencies. The regional body has not yet been 
set up.  
 
55 World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa . 
56 Regulation No. 06/19 -UEAC -639-CM-33 of 7 April 2019 on com petition.  
57 Regulation No. 000350 of 25 September 2020 on the procedure for applying competition rules.  
58 With the exception of mergers that affect the legitimate interests of the member States (Article 14).  
59 Article 6 of Regulation No. 1/99 -UEAC -CM-639 o f 25 June 1999 regulating anti -competitive 
business  practices.  
60 With the exception of aid of a socio -cultural nature, such as social assistance, aid for the victims of 
natural disasters, aid for underdeveloped regions and aid intended to promote culture, preserve heritage or 
protect the environment.  
61 Unless justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.85.  The Community legislation does not rule ou t the adoption of national competition legislation. 
To date, Cameroon, Gabon and the Central African Republic each have specific laws on competition. 
With the exception of Cameroon, national competition control agencies are not  yet operational.  
3.86.  Directive N o. 02/19 -UEAC -639-CM-33, harmonizing consumer protection within CEMAC, was 
adopted on 8  April 2019. It sets out the fundamental rights of the consumer and establishes the 
general framework for consumer protection in the member States.  
3.3.4   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  
3.87.  Pursuant to Article 8 of the regulations on government practices that affect trade between 
member States, member countries may grant exclusive rights to a private or public company to 
operate a public service or to prod uce goods and services. However, companies with a legal or de 
facto monopoly are subject to the rules on anti -competitive practices, and in particular those relating 
to the abuse of a dominant position, unless exempted on grounds of public policy, public s ecurity or 
public health.  
3.88.  There are no Community provisions concerning privatization.  
3.3.5   Government procurement  
3.89.  There have been no changes in Community procurement legislation since the last Trade Policy 
Review in 2013; government procurement is  governed by t he regulation on state practices affecting 
trade between member countries adopted in 1999.62 
3.90.  In principle, government contracts are awarded by open tender and published in the official 
journals of the Community or the member States. However, there are situ ations in which restricted 
invitation to tender or negotiated procedures may be considered. A restricted invitation to tender 
may be launched in urgent situations or when justified by the nature or certain special characteristics 
of the contract. It is als o acceptable in the case of highly specialized projects or programmes or for 
contracts of  major  importance.  
3.91.  In order to promote the broader participation of Community nationals, the regulation provides 
for regional preference measures. It defines the margi n within which each State is free to  set the 
threshold for this preference. For works, supply or service contracts, the regional preference must 
be fixed within a margin ranging from zero to 20% of the bids. In the case of supply contracts, the 
margin is w idened to 30% for bids containing products at  least 40% of which are of Community 
origin.  
3.92.  Negotiated procedures are acceptable when it is urgent or for short -term technical cooperation 
purposes; for operations that supplement or are necessary to complete o ther operations already in 
progress; when performance of the contract is exclusively reserved for the holders of patents or 
licences governing the use, processing or importation of the articles concerned; or, following an 
unsuccessful open tendering proced ure, after a new invitation to tender.  
3.93.  The Regional Competition Council (CRC) is the body responsible for monitoring the application 
of the rules on government procurement. If a breach of the rules is established, the  Council may 
order the party in breach to fulfil their obligations and, where necessary, suspend the contract award 
procedure or the performance of the contract. If the party in breach disregards the Council's 
injunctions or the matter is brought before the Council after the signature of the co ntract, the dispute 
is referred to the Community Court of Justice.  
3.94.  No CEMAC country is party to the plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement. 
Cameroon has observer status.  
 
62 Regulation No. 4/99/UEAC -CM-639 of 18 August 1999 regulating state practices affecting trade 
between member States.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  3.3.6   Intellectual property rights  
3.95.  As signatories to the Bangui Agreement (1977), the CEMAC countries are members of the 
African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), which currently has 17 member States. This 
Agreement was revised on 24  February  1999, in order to, among other things, bring its provisions 
into line with the Agreeme nt on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
(TRIPS  Agreement).63 It covers patents (Annex I); utility models (Annex II); trademarks and service 
marks (Annex III); industrial designs (Annex IV); trade names (Annex V); geographical indications 
(Annex  VI); copyright and related rights (Annex  VII); and protection against u nfair competition 
(Annex  VIII).  
3.96.  The terms of protection established by this Agreement are defined in  accordance with the 
WTO TRIPS Agreement (Table 3.6).  
Table 3.6 Subject matter and terms of protection under the Bangui Agreement  
Subject matter  Bangui Agreement (1999)  
Patents  20 years  
Utility models  10 years  
Trademarks and service marks  10 years, renewable every 10 years  
Industrial designs  5 years, may be extended for 2 periods of 5 years  
Trade names  10 years, renewable every 10 years  
Geographical indications  n.a. 
Appellations of origin  n.a. 
Literary and artistic property   
Copyright  Life of the author + 70 years after his/her death  
Films, radio and audiovisual programmes  25-70 years  
Photographic works (works of applied art)  25 years  
Related rights for performances  50 years  
Related rights for phonograms  50 years  
Related rights for broadcasts  25 years  
Protection against unfair competition   
Layout designs (topographies) of integrated circuitsa 10 years  
Plant variety protection  25 years  
n.a. Not applicable.  
a The revised Bangui Agreement is not in force.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.97.  In principle, the revised Bangui Agreement (1999) prohibits parallel imports where patents 
are concerned.64 However, a non -voluntary licence may be granted where a patent is of vital interest 
to the economy of the country, public health or national defence.65 
3.98.  The OAPI serves as the national industrial property service for e ach of its member States and 
provides a common system of administrative procedures for registering related rights. 
The registration procedure begins with the filing of an application accompanied by supporting 
documents. The application may be filed with th e national liaison office or sent directly to  the OAPI. 
Applicants who are not resident in one of the member States must send their application directly to 
the OAPI, through an approved agent.66 The certificates issued by the OAPI guarantee protection in 
all the member States.  
3.99.  Between  2013 and 2019, the number of patent applications filed by CEMAC country residents 
rose from 32 to 56, while trademark applications rose from 409 to 436 (Table 3.7). Most of these 
applications were made by residents of Cameroon . 
 
63 The revised Bangui Agreement (1999) was  notified to the WTO and was examined by the 
TRIPS  Council at its session held on  27 and 28 November 2001. WTO document IP/Q/GAB/1; IP/Q2/GAB/1; 
IP/Q3/GAB/1 and IP/Q4/GAB/1 of 18 May 2004.  
64 Annex I (Article 7) to the rev ised Bangui Agreement (1999).  
65 Article 56 of the revised Bangui Agreement (1999).  
66 A list of these agents can be found on the OAPI website. Viewed at: 
http://www.oapi.int/index.php/fr/component/k2/item/295 -liste-des-mandataires -agrees -aupres -de-l-oapi. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Table 3.7 Number of patent and trademark applications from CEMAC member States filed 
with the OAPI, 2013 –2018 
Applications  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  
Patents:  32 45 42 57 38 56 
Cameroon  27 25 29 48 31 41 
Congo  1 9 5 1 2 1 
Gabon  2 5 1 4 2 3 
Equatorial Guinea  0 0 0 0 0 0 
CAR 0 4 2 1 2 3 
Chad  2 2 5 3 1 8 
Trademarks:  409 317 337 401 312 436 
Cameroon  312 259 274 341 245 333 
Congo  65 20 28 20 20 36 
Gabon  24 20 29 13 30 48 
Equatorial Guinea  0 0 0 2 8 5 
CAR 5 2 0 4 2 7 
Gabon  3 16 6 21 7 7 
Source:  Data provided by the OAPI.  
3.100.   With respect to literary and artistic property, the revised Bangui Agreement 
covers  copyright, related rights and cultural heritage. The OAPI is responsible for promoting the 
protection of these rights and creating national agencies in the countries that are still without one.  
3.101.   In the CEMAC Investment Charter67, the countries regard counterfeiting as a serious 
impediment to their economic development and undertake to combat it. The Customs Code also 
contains provisions on counterfeiting, denying entry and admission to customs warehouses to all 
counterfeit foreign goods.  
 
67 Regulation No. 17/99/CEMAC -20-CM-03 of 17 December 1999 relating to the CEMAC Investment 
Charter.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries  
4.1.1   Introduction  
4.1.  The agricultural sector employs around 64 % of the working population in the CEMAC zone and 
contributes 25 % of the subregion's GDP, although this figure varies greatly from one country to 
another. However, agriculture accounts for only around 14 % of export earnings, due to the relatively 
greater we ight of oil exports. Agricultural imports account for around 16 % of total imports. Most 
regional agricultural trade in CEMAC takes place through informal channels and is not recorded in 
official statistics.  
4.2.  Spread over more than 3  million km2, the CEMAC re gion is endowed with a diverse climate and 
substantial land resources that make it particularly suited to the development of agropastoral 
activities. Despite this natural potential, however, the agricultural sector remains largely 
underdeveloped. This pote ntial is not being achieved primarily because of weak links between 
farmers and markets, poor market -related infrastructure, and high trade costs due to corruption 
along regional trade corridors.68 Furthermore, for many crops, the lack of application of im proved 
farming techniques deprives producers of benefiting from the added value of their products.  
4.3.  Harvests of the main food products have generally seen an upward trend since 2012 
(Table  4.1). Sugar, cotton, forestry and livestock products are important f or generating foreign 
currency (Section 4.1.3).  
Table 4.1 Main agricultural products, 2012 –21 
(1,000 tonnes)   
2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
Cassava  6,785  7,133  7,323  7,283  7,533  7,356  7,774  7,828  7,880  8,055  
Plantains  4,028  4,175  4,972  5,169  5,345  5,179  5,025  5,026  5,046  5,500  
Palm nut oil  2,169  2,171  2,271  2,277  2,478  2,578  2,678  2,577  2,647  2,799  
Maize (corn)  2,420  2,242  2,423  2,555  2,756  2,608  2,686  2,686  2,664  2,613  
Sorghum  2,417  2,099  2,102  2,066  2,220  2,176  2,218  2,204  2,218  2,159  
Taro  1,851  1,789  1,936  1,996  2,045  2,089  2,042  2,061  2,064  2,058  
Yams  1,632  1,682  1,732  1,789  1,794  1,792  1,792  1,793  1,792  1,792  
Groundnuts in shell  2,131  1,815  1,546  1,501  1,809  1,562  1,582  1,560  1,535  1,512  
Bananas  1,698  1,829  1,298  1,318  1,426  1,346  1,372  1,386  1,372  1,379  
Tomatoes, fresh  894 880 954 1,025  1,186  1,055  1,089  1,110  1,084  1,094  
Vegetables, fresh  947 980 1,005  1,024  1,038  1,041  1,047  1,039  1,043  1,047  
Millet  966 674 814 711 846 782 880 839 809 744 
Sweet potatoes  858 651 518 502 623 611 678 646 627 620 
Rice, paddy  416 585 473 535 632 538 609 640 634 620 
Main crops  29,213  28,706  29,368  29,750  31,731  30,715  31,472  31,396  31,415  31,994  
Source:  FAOSTAT.  
4.4.  The main trade policy instruments in the agricultural sector are border duties and taxes, 
including the common external tariff (CET) (Tables 3.2 and 3.3), followed by internal taxes, in this 
case VAT. CET and other duties and taxes afford agricult ure a high level of tariff protection 
(Section  3.1). Import duty and VAT exemptions have been introduced in a number of member 
countries to facilitate imports of basic agri -food products, and agricultural inputs and equipment. 
The Commission is currently w orking on harmonizing those exemptions, which differ substantially 
from one country to another.  
4.1.2   Community agricultural policies  
4.5.  Since 2012, the CEMAC Commission has continued its efforts to effectively coordinate the 
agricultural policy objectives and inst ruments of the CEMAC member States, in a context of very 
limited resources that considerably handicaps the scope of its actions. In particular, the Commission 
has worked to identify certain obstacles to trade in agricultural products, such as problems rela ting 
to the application of SPS measures.  
 
68 World Bank (2018), Breaking Down the Barriers to Regional Agricultural Trade in Central Africa . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.6.  Where the coordination of national policies in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors is 
concerned, CEMAC intends: (i) to increase productivity in these sectors; (ii) to ensure the profitability 
of the sub sectors; (iii) to stabilize markets; (iv) to assure the availability of supplies; and (v) to 
ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices (CAEU Convention, Article  35). 
4.7.  The Common Agricultural Strategy (SAC) adopted in 2003 seeks to promote tr ade in 
agricultural products and ensuring food security. It is based five priority pillars:  
a. stepping up agricultural and food production: the measures identified seek to  improve 
agricultural production through research, the dissemination of farming techniq ues and 
agricultural equipment, and product processing;  
b. conquering national, regional and international markets: priority is being given to opening 
up rural areas, then to building capacities to preserve, process and package food products, 
and improving ma rket access conditions.  
c. mobilizing and strengthening civil society: the idea is to involve civil society more widely 
in the development and implementation of agricultural and environmental protection 
policies, and to support the NGOs operating in the secto r; 
d. carrying out the necessary institutional reforms in the areas of research and access to 
credit; and,  
e. contributing to rural poverty reduction efforts, through measures such as promoting 
income -generating activities for the poor, establishing strategic fo od reserves, etc.  
4.1.2.1   The Common Agricultural Strategy  
4.8.  The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is one of the flagship 
programmes implemented by ECCAS in Central Africa. Its implementation has led to the reframing 
of the regional Comm on Agricultural Policy (PAC), as well as a set of strategies and programmes 
needed to achieve the PAC's objectives. These include the Regional Agricultural Investment 
Programme for Food and Nutrition Security (PRIASAN), the Regional Development Strategy fo r the 
Cotton and Coffee Sectors, the Agricultural Productivity Programme and the Reinforcing Veterinary 
Governance in Africa (VET -GOV) programme.  
4.9.  The Regional Applied Research Centre for the Development of Agricultural Systems in Central 
Africa (PRASAC) is  the CEMAC specialized agricultural research institution. PRASAC seeks to create 
synergies among the national agricultural research institutions with a view to  finding answers to 
local needs and building local intervention capacities. Nearly 350 researcher s in the region are listed 
on its database.  
4.10.  The mission of the Economic Commission for Cattle, Meat and Fishery Resources 
(CEBEVIRHA), a CEMAC implementing agency, is to contribute to the sustainable development of 
the livestock, animal industries, fisheri es and aquaculture sectors, and to boost trade.  
4.11.  As part of CAADP, a Regional Animal Health Centre was set up in N'Djamena in 
February  2019.69 The centre is expected to facilitate veterinary governance in terms of vaccination 
schedules, and improve epidemio logical surveillance through the creation of an early warning 
system.  
4.12.  Since the last review, the CEMAC countries have harmonized their pesticide approval 
procedures (see Section 3.3.2). The use and marketing of pesticides are subject to their approval 
by the Inter -State Pesticides Committee of Central Africa (CPAC).  
4.13.  A Regional Seed Council (CRS) was established in 2014.70 Its mission is to assist the 
Commission in implementing current regulations on production, quality control, certification and 
 
69 Decision No. 41/CEEAC/XVI/CCEG/15 of 25 May 2015.  
70 Regulation No. 03/14 -UEAG -224-CM-27 of 20 October 2014.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  marketing o f seeds and seedlings. It is also responsible for ensuring that rules and standards on 
production, quality control, certification and marketing of seeds and seedlings are observed.  
4.1.2.2   Food security programmes  
4.14.  The food situation in the CEMAC region remains ver y worrying, even though the situation 
varies considerably from one country to another. Around 45 % of the population is undernourished, 
of which 10 % are suffering from an extreme food deficit.71 Undernourishment is most widespread in 
the Central African Rep ublic and Chad, but is less prevalent in Gabon and Cameroon (see country 
annexes).  
4.15.  The CEMAC Regional Food Security Programme (PRSA -CEMAC), drawn up with the support of 
FAO and adopted in 2002, remains the reference document on food security matters. It ha s two 
components: one concerns cross -cutting regional activities; the other, support for national 
programmes. A round table of donors is currently being organized to mobilize resources for its 
implementation.  
4.1.3   Policy by subsector  
4.1.3.1   Cotton  
4.16.  Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad are the three CEMAC cotton -producing 
countries. In these countries, the cotton sector is generally organized around majority state -owned 
companies with a de facto  monopoly. These are the Société de développement du coton (Cameroon), 
the Société  cotonnière centrafricaine (Central African Republic) and the CotonTchad Société Nouvelle 
(Chad). These companies buy seed cotton from the producers and take care of the ginning and 
marketing. Downstream there are a few processing plants that produce textiles for the local market. 
However, most of the cotton fibre produced is exported to  Asia and Europe.  
4.17.  Cameroon is the largest producer in the subregion. According to FAO statistics, its cotton fibre 
production was 260,000 tonnes during the 2020 season. Chad's production is assessed at 80,000 
tonnes, and that of the Central African Republic at 18,000 tonnes. (See annexes on Cameroon, the 
Central African Republic and Chad.)  
4.18.  Regulation No.  11/06-UEAC -168-CM-14 of 11  March  2006 established a Subregional 
Committee for the Coordination and Monitoring of Cotton Subsector Policies in the CEMAC zone. A 
strategy covering the cotton -textile -clothing chain was drawn up in 2011. It seeks to develop the  
subsector by pursuing the following five strategic objectives: (i)  boosting cotton production 
(seed  and fibre); (ii) improving and guaranteeing the quality of the cotton; (iii) supporting and 
developing fibre processing; (iv) stepping up the promotion and  marketing of the subregion's cotton 
and textiles; and (v) developing and improving the cotton seed by -products recovery processes. The 
objective for 2020 is to triple seed cotton yield (1,200 kg/ha) and to achieve an output of 350,000 
tonnes of cotton fib re, 100  million litres of oil and 200,000 tonnes of cake.  
4.19.  Chad is one of the four African countries behind the Sectoral Initiative for Cotton (C -4).72 The 
C-4 continued to be a driving force at the WTO on the issue of cotton, both in agricultural negotiati ons 
and with regard to the development component. The following outcomes have been adopted on 
cotton in recent years: the Ministerial Decision on Cotton adopted in Bali in December  2013 and the 
subsequent establishment of dedicated biannual discussions on trade -related aspects of cotton; the 
Ministerial Decision on Cotton adopted in Nairobi in December  2015, acknowledging efforts to 
accelerate the elimination of export subsidies for cotton and welcoming Members' efforts towards 
providing duty -free, quota -free market access for cotton products originating from LDCs; the launch 
of the Cotton Portal at the Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference in December  2017; the launch, in 
November  2018, of a joint WTO, ITC and UNCTAD initiative on cotton by -products; and the launch 
of World Cotton Day at the WTO on 7  October  2019.73 
 
71 Less than 300 calories per person per day.  
72 The C-4 countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali.  
73 WTO document JOB/AG/165 and TN/AG/SCC/GEN/21, 10 October 2019.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.1.3.2   Sugar  
4.20.  A set of common market regulation strategies proposed by the Common Market Organization 
for Sugar (OCM -Sucre -CEMAC) was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2007.74 These strategies 
protect  Community production, in  particular, by guaranteeing the free movement of locally produced 
or refined sugar; implementing a Community supply plan; tightening tariff measures; and combating 
fraud, smuggling and counterfeiting. However, none of these strate gies has been implemented since 
their adoption.  
4.21.  In each of the countries, there is generally a single company responsible for processing  sugar 
cane. These companies are all subsidiaries of the Société d'organisation de management et  de 
développement des in dustries alimentaires et agricoles (SOMDIAA), a majority French -owned 
agrifood group. The companies in question are Compagnie sucrière du Tchad (CST), Société  agricole 
de raffinage industriel du sucre (SARIS Congo), Société sucrière du Cameroun (SOSUCAM), Sucrerie 
Africaine du Gabon (SUCAF Gabon), and the sugar management company of the Central African 
Republic . They are all part of an association called the Sugar Industry Group (GPS -CEMAC), financed 
by the members' annual subscriptions.  
4.22.  Sugar production in  the CEMAC zone has increased slightly since the last review (Table  4.2). 
Table 4.2 Sugar production, 2012 and 2020  
(1,000 tonnes)  
Country  Sugar cane 
production 2012  Sugar cane 
production 2020  Refined sugar 
production 2010  Refined sugar 
production 2020  
Cameroon (SOSUCAM)  1,200  1,219  110 116 
Central African Republic  
(SUCAF)  99 129 10 12 
Chad (CST)  432 380 35 31 
Congo (SARIS)  641 686 48 70 
Gabon (SUCAF)  273 288 28 26 
Total  2,645  2,702  231 254 
Source:  FAOSTAT and information compiled by the WTO Secretariat from sources listed in the table.  
4.1.3.3   Livestock  
4.23.  Grazing land covers around one third of the region's area. Over 35 % of the population in 
Cameroon and 40 % in Chad are involved in livestock farming.  Chad, Cameroon and the Central 
African Republic are the main cattle producers in the subregion. Livestock farming is an important 
means of subsistence for rural populations, and is therefore of great strategic importance for 
nutritional and food security.  
4.24.  Central Africa has a large livestock population, most of which is located in Chad. It has been 
estimated at around 44.7  million head of cattle in 2021, compared with 17.9  million in 2012.75 The 
populations of other species are estimated at 46  million head  of sheep, 56  million goats, 3.5  million 
pigs, and 75  million head of poultry.  
4.25.  Consequently, livestock farming is one of the pillars underpinning the Community's efforts to 
accelerate economic growth and achieve the objectives that it has set itself in its  Regional Economic 
Programme (PER) (see Section  2, Box 2.1).  
4.26.  CEBEVIRHA is CEMAC's implementing agency for livestock. Its objectives are to implement a 
policy to improve livestock production conditions; improve the health of cattle; carry out checks of 
sites where cattle are prepared for market; add value to livestock products; boost trade; coordinate 
the livestock policies in member States' development plans; and organize training in the sectors 
concerned. Each year, CEBEVIRHA holds a consultation meeting o n the livestock, fisheries and 
aquaculture sectors. These meetings provide a framework for the exchange of views within which 
the various actors in these sectors can discuss problems and seek solutions.  
 
74 Regulation No. 19/07 -UEAC -166-CM-16 of 18 December 2007 adopting strategies for the regulation 
of the CEMAC zone common sugar market.  
75 FAOSTAT.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.27.  However, livestock farming did not feature prominentl y in phase 2 of the PER from 2017 to 
2021.76 
4.1.3.4   Forestry sector  
4.28.  The CEMAC region is partly covered by the forests of the Congo Basin, the world's 
second -largest tropical forest, which has exceptional levels of biodiversity. With the exception of 
Chad, all the  CEMAC countries have, to a greater or lesser extent, considerable forest resources, 
and export wood products.77 Exports of forest products from the region were valued at around 
USD 1.8 billion in 2021. China has become the biggest market for wood from the  region's forests.  
4.29.  However, the maintenance and sustainability of these forest areas remains generally 
uncertain, the main threats being illegal or uncontrolled logging, the opening up of the massif with 
roads and tracks, commercial hunting (meat and troph ies), and the settlement of populations along 
new roads, around mines and logging operations.  
4.30.  At present, there are no Community regulations governing the forestry sector at the CEMAC 
level. At the ECCAS level, the Commission of Central African Forests (CO MIFAC) is responsible for 
coordinating subregional initiatives for the conservation and sustainable management of forest 
ecosystems.  
4.31.  Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo and Gabon are members of the International 
Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO ). The ITTO is an intergovernmental framework for consultation 
and cooperation on matters relating to the international trade in tropical timber and the sustainable 
management of its resource base. It is governed by the International Tropical Timber Agreem ent 
(ITTA), concluded in 1983 and revised in 1994. The objectives of the ITTA are "to promote the 
expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and 
legally harvested forests and to promote the sustainable management of  tropical timber producing 
forests".  
4.1.3.5   Fisheries  
4.32.  With its favourable ecological and edaphic conditions, CEMAC is a major freshwater reservoir, 
as well as a conducive environment for the development of inland and marine fisheries and 
aquaculture production.78 With some 1,752 km of coastline and 554,000 km2 of exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ), the CEMAC countries have an estimated sustainable fish production potential of around 
800,000 tonnes. However, the contribution of the fisheries and  aquaculture sector to GDP and export 
earnings remains insignificant and below its full capacity.  
4.33.  In 2020, cumulative fish and seafood production for all the CEMAC countries, with the 
exception of Equatorial Guinea, was  522,000 tonnes, compared with 450,00 0 tonnes in 2012 
(Table  4.3). Cameroon accounts for 55 % of that production. Post -catch losses and wastage could 
amount to 25 -30% of production. Aquaculture production remains marginal.  
Table 4.3 Fishery sector  indicators, 2012 and 2020  
Indicator  Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  Totala 
Physical characteristics   
EEZ (km2) 14,500  31,017  213,000  0 0 258,517  
Shoreline 
(km) 402 170 800 0 0 1,372  
Fish and aquaculture (tonnes)  
  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  2012  2020  
Production  199,840  285,186  81,555  71,537  36,548  29,060  32,182  29,219  100,030  107,105  450,155  522,107  
 
76 CEMAC (2017), Programme Économique Régional Phase 2  (2017 -21). 
77 According to statistics compiled by the Central African Forests Observatory (OFAC) for 2010, the 
forested area is estimated at 18.6 million hectares for  Cameroon; 17.1 million fo r Congo; 22.3 million for 
Gabon; and 6.9 million for the  Central  African Republic.  
78 Viewed at: http://www.fao.org/africa/news/detail -news/fr/c/1194094/ : "La FAO et la CEBEVIRHA en 
conclave à Libreville pour la relance des activités du projet de promotion de pêche continentale et 
d'aquaculture en zone CEMAC" . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Indicator  Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  Totala 
Imports  189,618  200,040  16,287  43,940  15,972  28,038  5,387  6,311  716 806 227,980  279,134  
Exports  3,313  3,372  153 13,067  1,225  887 0 98 56 67 4,747  17,491  
a CEMAC States Members of the WTO.  
Source:  FAOSTAT. Viewed at: http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/fr . 
4.34.  CEBEVIRHA is also the CEMAC implementing agency for fisheries and aquaculture. Its 
objectives are to implement a fisheries policy, improve fish health and control the fish environment. 
It has implemented the Promotion o f Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Project (PPCA), with a budget 
of CFAF  5.1 billion. The project seeks to ensure sustainable management of the region's fishery 
resources and better harness the potential of the subregion's aquatic environments. The project  is 
expected to contribute to improving the governance and management frameworks for inland 
fisheries and aquaculture, and to support the activities of small -scale fishers and fish farmers, and 
their organizations, by enabling them to move from subsistence  activities to profitable, 
market -oriented activities.  
4.35.  The CEMAC countries are signatories to the international Code of Conduct for Responsible 
Fisheries.  
4.36.  At the ECCAS level, the Gulf of Guinea Regional Fisheries Commission (COREP) is the 
specialized body in charge of fisheries matters. COREP's objective is to develop the exploitation of 
fishery resources in the exclusive economic zones of the member countries. It has adopted a 
strategic action plan based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and  is also in charge of 
implementing the ACP Fish II programme, a European Union project aimed at improving fishery 
management in the ACP countries.  
4.2  Mining and energy  
4.37.  The region's mineral wealth includes significant deposits of oil, natural gas, gold, diamon ds, 
manganese, iron, bauxite and  uranium.  
4.38.  A Standing Commission on Energy and Mining (COPEM) was established in March  2006 but 
has never been fully operation.79 An ad hoc energy committee was also set up which has participated 
in meetings organized within the framework of  CEMAC's electrification and energy planning projects. 
It is composed of national electricity company executives and the directors -general responsible 
for energy from the ministries.  
4.39.  According to the CEMAC Customs Code (Articles 166 and 171 ), the national customs 
authorities may authorize temporary admission for the entry of technical equipment imported 
provisionally by mining and oil companies for research and prospecting purposes. A list of eligible 
products and equipment under those provi sions has been drawn up at the Community level for 
equipment used to explore for and exploit hydrocarbons.80 
4.40.  Cameroon, Congo and Chad are parties to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 
(EITI). Gabon and the Central African Republic were suspended in 2013.  
4.2.1   Petroleum and gas products  
4.41.  With the exception of the Central African Republic, all the CEMAC countries are oil exporters 
(see Section  1 and country annexes). The CEMAC zone is heavily dependent on oil, which accounted 
for around 66 % of the Community's exports in 2018, compared with 75 % in 2012. Proven oil 
reserves in the CEMAC countries stand at around 7.5  billion barrels. In 2021, subregional production 
 
79 Regulation No. 12/06 -UEAC -171-CM-14 of 11 March 2006 establishing the Standing Commission 
for Energy and Mining (COPEM).  
80 It is annexed to Directive No. 1/99/CEMAC -028-CM-03 of 17 December 1999 harmonizing the 
legislations of the member States on value added tax (VAT) and excise duty, and its revising Directive 
No. 07/11 -UEAC -028-CM-22. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  (excluding Equatorial Guinea) was estimated at 35.4  million tonnes of crude. The oil industry  is 
generally open to foreign investment.  
4.42.  The sharp and prolonged slump in oil prices, from USD  120 per barrel in 2014 to USD  40 in 
May 2016, had a significant adverse impact on growth across the region (Section 1).  
4.43.  The oil sector did not feature p rominently in phase 2 of the PER from 2017 to 2021, unlike 
phase 1, from 2009 to 2015.81 
4.2.2   Other mining products  
4.44.  There are no Community regulations governing the mining sector. A project to draft a mining 
code for the subregion has been underway since 2016.  
4.45.  The contribution of other mining products to the region's GDP remains limited; only in Gabon 
and the Central African Republic does it exceed 2 %. One of the main reasons for investors' reluctance 
to mine these minerals is the lack of infrastructure, particu larly that of a rail network, for transporting 
them. Added to this is the weakness of public institutional capacity to support the mining sector, the 
lack of transparency in the allocation of mining permits and the length of time it takes to obtain 
them.  
4.2.3   Energy  
4.46.  Access to electricity remains limited in the CEMAC region, with rates ranging from 11 % of the 
population in Chad to 92 % in Gabon. Electricity prices are generally high, and transmission and 
distribution losses are considerable. Peri -urban electrifica tion is often inadequate, and, outside of 
Cameroon and Gabon, rural electrification remains almost non -existent.  
4.47.  In the electricity mix, hydroelectric infrastructure generates the bulk of the region's electricity, 
while thermal power plants account for onl y a small share of installed capacity. Liquefied petroleum 
gas (LPG) and kerosene for cooking are little used and remain confined to big cities. The vast 
majority of the rural population use charcoal and firewood, which is gathered without any concern 
for their replacement and burnt in unhealthy conditions. Despite great potential, especially for 
decentralized applications, the role of solar and wind energy is still limited.  
4.48.  CEMAC has an estimated hydroelectric potential of 33 GW. The goal of the Regional E conomic 
Programme (PER) is to exploit the strong potential and interconnect the power networks of the 
member States to create a regional electricity market by 2025.82 In fact, development of the region's 
energy production and its interconnection are one of  the strategic pillars of the PER (Section  2). 
4.49.  The energy strategy of the CEMAC zones revolves around the Central African Power Pool 
(CAPP), which implements the region's energy policy and brings together both States and power 
companies. Through CAPP, the CEMAC countries have established a legal framework including a 
Central African Regional Electricity Market Code and an Operating Code for Interconnected Electricity 
Networks.  
4.50.  In recent years, the installation of new infrastructure has enhanced the region's  energy 
capacity.83 In addition, a dozen hydroelectric projects with a capacity of over 100 MW are currently 
under construction, notably in Cameroon and Congo (see country annexes). However, the level of 
interconnection in the region remains low. To facilitate interconnectio n, the Central African Regional 
Electricity Regulatory Commission (CORREAC) has been set up to ensure infrastructure 
 
81 CEMAC (2009), CEMAC 2025: Vers une économie régionale intégrée et émergente – Programme 
Économique Régional 2010 -2015; and CEMAC (2017) Programme Économique Régional Phase 2  (2017 -21). 
82 CEMAC (2017) Programme Économique Régional Phase 2  (2017 -21). 
83 These include the 19 MW Liouesso (2016) and 120 MW Imboulou (2012) hydroelectric dams in 
Congo, the 160 MW Grand Poubara (2013) hydroelectric dam in Gabon, and the 200 MW Djibloho (2015) and 
15 MW Mekin (2016) hydroelectric dams in Cameroon.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  standardization, particularly for electricity transmission and distribution.84 Under the 2017 –21 phase 
of the PER, several interconnection projects are planned (Table 4.4).  
Table 4.4 Electrical infrastructure projects planned under the Regional Economic 
Programme, 2017 –2022 
Projects  Km Countries involved  State of progress  
1. Chollet hydroelectri c power 
plant and associated 
transmission lines  .. Congo, Cameroon  Project management set up by both 
States  
2. Dimoli and associated lines 
Dimoli -Chollet; Dimoli -Bangui 
(450 km); Dimoli -Bouar (260 
km); Nola -Ouesso (270 km)  .. Central African Republic, 
Cameroon, Congo  Feasibility studies in progress  
3. Mongomo -Oyem interconnection  42 Equatorial Guinea, Gabon  Financial feasibility studies finalized; 
final design and CAD studies in 
progress  
4. Djibloho and 
Edea -Menve' éle-Mekin 
interconnection  360 Cameroon, Equatorial 
Guinea  Financial feasibility studies finalized; 
final design and CAD studies in 
progress  
5. Grand Poubara -Imboulou 
interconnection  580 Gabon, Congo  Financial feasibility studies finalized; 
final design and CAD studies in 
progress  
6. Moundjel, Ngaoundéré and 
N'Djamena interconnection  720 Cameroon, Chad  Financial feasibility studies finalized; 
final design and CAD studies in 
progress  
.. Not available.  
Source:  CEMAC (2017)  
4.51.  An assistance programme, financed by the European Union, aims to accelerate the 
implementation of the regional electricity market. The programme ran from 2018 to 2022, and 
targeted the development of regional infrastructure projects, the harmonization of legal and 
technical tools required for the operation of interconnected systems, the development of the CAPP 
energy information system, and the financial autonomy of the CAPP.  
4.3  Manufacturing  
4.52.  Manufacturing in the CEMAC zone remains in an embryonic state. The industrial fabric is 
located mainly in Cameroon and to some extent in Congo (Table 4.5). Compared with 2012, the 
manufacturing sector's value added as a percentage of GDP declined in Cameroon and Congo, but 
rose in Gabon, the Central African Republic and Chad. Manufacturing goods t raded between the 
CEMAC countries consist mainly of food industry products (pasta, sugar, flour, tomato sachets), 
chemical products (matches, soaps, detergents, insecticides), and building materials (sheet metal, 
nails, cement).  
Table 4.5 Manufacturing value added, 2000 -21 
(% of GDP at constant 2015 prices)  
 
Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  CEMACa SSA Africa  World  
2000  14.7 3.5 3.7 .. 8.6 7.6 13.9 12.1 18.2 
2005  15.0 6.4 12.9 .. 0.2 8.7 12.4 11.6 16.3 
2010  14.5 5.3 17.1 18.4 1.0 11.3 9.8 11.0 15.9 
2011  15.2 5.2 19.2 20.0 1.7 12.3 9.7 11.1 16.0 
2012  15.5 4.3 16.5 23.7 2.1 12.4 9.5 11.0 16.0 
2013  15.2 5.9 17.2 21.1 2.7 12.4 9.9 10.8 15.8 
2014  14.5 6.0 17.4 17.4 2.7 11.6 10.1 10.9 15.9 
2015  14.4 7.9 16.7 19.7 2.8 12.3 10.0 10.7 16.4 
2016  13.8 10.6 17.5 19.5 3.0 12.9 9.8 11.0 16.2 
2017  13.7 11.0 17.6 18.4 2.9 12.7 9.8 11.1 16.3 
2018  13.7 7.6 18.9 18.1 2.9 12.2 10.6 11.2 16.4 
2019  12.8 8.1 18.8 17.8 2.9 12.1 11.0 11.1 16.0 
 
84 The CEMAC countrie s do not all use the same electrical voltage standards and types of electrical 
equipment. For example, three -phase voltage is 400 V in Congo and 300 V in the other countries.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  CAR Chad  CEMACa SSA Africa  World  
2020  13.2 .. 18.4 17.7 3.2 13.1 11.1 11.1 15.9 
2021  13.1 .. 23.6 17.5 .. 18.1 11.5 11.9 16.6 
.. Not available.  
a CEMAC States Members of the WTO.  
Note:  SSA = Sub -Saharan Africa.  
Source:  World Bank, World Development Indicators. Viewed at: 
https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world -development -indicators# . 
4.53.  The average common external tariff for the manufacturing sector is 17.9 %. This high level of 
protection makes imported components more expensive and, consequently, hinders the sector's 
integration into global value chains.  
4.54.  The industrialization of the CEMAC economies is being held back by a relatively unattractive 
business environment. The sector faces a number of obstacles, including weak regional infrastructure 
(transport, electricity); generally high customs duties; corru ption and tracasseries  (petty 
harassments). As a result, the sector's productivity remains low and it continues to be unable to 
allocate resources efficiently or to diversify.  
4.55.  Launched in 2015 and funded by the European Union, the Industrial Restructuring and 
Upgrading Programme (PRMN) aims to help strengthen productive capacities in Central Africa. As 
part of this project, each country will have to identify priority sectors in order to support target 
companies in those areas during the pilot phase.  
4.4  Service s  
4.4.1   Horizontal liberalization of services at regional level  
4.56.  Since its foundation CEMAC has adopted various sectoral policies to harmonize and liberalize 
services that it has now supplemented by developing a horizontal approach to liberalization. On 
8 December  2021 the CEMAC Council of Ministers adopted Directive No.  02/21 -UEAC -639-CM-37 
"on services in the CEMAC Common Market".85 The Directive "lays down general provisions enabling 
service providers to exercise freedom of establish ment and allowing the free movement of services 
while ensuring high service quality". Its scope does not include services of general economic interest 
or financial, telecommunication, audio -visual, health, transport, social, security or justice services. 
The Directive calls on member States to simplify the procedures and regulations governing service 
activities and lays down a requirement for a single window to that effect. It encourages the use of 
electronic procedures, prohibits discriminatory criteria in  procedures authorizing the establishment 
of a provider, and restricts the authorization regime to matters where authorization is justified by 
an overriding reason relating to the public interest . 
4.57.  The Directive lays down authorization criteria and provides  that, except for specifically listed 
exemptions, authorizations must not be time -limited. It lays down rules on transparency, appeals in 
procedures relating to authorization processes and the selection of candidates for authorizations. It 
gives an exhaust ive list of the conditions that providers must satisfy and prohibits, in principle, 
economic needs tests. It lists a series of requirements related to market access limitations under 
the GATS (quantitative or territorial limitations, limitations on the typ e of legal entity, requirements 
concerning company ownership and minimum numbers of staff) as well as other sui generis  
requirements (fixed minimum or maximum tariffs, requirement to provide services other than the 
primary service), and calls on the member  States to consider whether their legislation contains such 
requirements and, if so, whether it states that those requirements must be implemented only where 
strictly necessary and in a non -discriminatory, proportionate fashion . 
4.58.  The directive also sets for th the principle of freedom to provide services, gives a restrictive 
list of exemptions in that regard (including services of general economic interest, as well as postal, 
electricity, gas, water and sewage services) and states the requirements to which pr oviders may be 
 
85 Information viewed at: https://www.cemac.int/sites/default/files/Textes%20Officiels/Dir%20N  per 
centC2  percentB0%2002%20Relative%20aux%20services%20dans%20l e%20march%C3%A9%20commun%2
0de%20la%20CEMAC.pdf . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  subject along with requirements that are prohibited. In return for their newly acquired freedoms, 
service providers are subject to customer information requirements that the member States are 
responsible for implementing. Lastly, the Directi ve sets up a monitoring committee. Overall this 
lengthy text (which runs to more than 45  pages) is analogous to the GATS and the WTO disciplines 
on domestic regulation that are still in the process of being agreed. It is a genuine charter for the 
future li beralization of trade in services in the subregion.  
4.4.2   Telecommunications services  
4.59.  The penetration rates of the various types of telecommunications services (fixed, mobile and 
Internet) and their prices are described in detail for the CEMAC member States in e ach country 
annex up to 2021.  
4.60.  Although considerable progress was made in access to telecommunications services during 
the review period, fixed -line penetration remains very low in all countries. In contrast, mobile 
telecommunications have achieved strong m arket penetration, although there are wide disparities 
among member States. Internet use remains very limited, except in Cameroon and Gabon.  
4.61.  In regulatory terms, the sector has generally been liberalized in the CEMAC region to differing 
degrees as evidence d in Table  4.6, which shows the extent of liberalization by subsector in the latest 
year for which figures are available.  
Table 4.6 Degree of exposure to competition of various types of telecommunications 
services in CEMAC member countries, 2020  
 Cameroon  Congo  Gabon  Central  African  
Republic  Chad  
Cable modems  C .. C .. M 
Cable television  C C C C .. 
Data M C C C C 
Long-distance fixed domestic 
lines M M C C M 
Fixed satellite services  M M C C C 
Fixed broadband  M C C C C 
Global mobile personal 
communication by satellite  
(fixed satellite services/mobile 
satellite services)  C .. C C C 
International mobile telephony 
(3G and 4G)  P  C C .. C 
International gateways  P C C C M 
International fixed 
long-distance lines  M M C .. M 
Internet services  M C C C C 
Leased lines  M C C .. C 
Wireless local loop  M C C .. C 
Local fixed lines  M C C M M 
Mobile  P C C C C 
Mobile satellite service  P C C C C 
Paging  C C C C .. 
VSAT satellite  C C C C C 
Digital subscriber lines  M C C .. M 
.. Not available.  
Note:  M = monopoly , P = partial competition , C = full and open competition.  
Source:  ITU ICT -Eye data portal. Viewed at: http://www.itu.int/icteye . 
4.62.  International fixed long -distance lines are the only services where monopolies are still in place 
in four of the five States. Services where monopolies remain widespread are long -distance fixed  
domestic lines (three of the five States – Cameroon, Congo, Chad), local fixed lines (three States – 
Cameroon, CAR, Chad), followed by fixed satellite services (two States – Cameroon, Congo) and WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  digital subscriber lines (two of the four States for which t his information is available – Cameroon 
and Chad).  
4.63.  Other services that are still controlled by one company are monopolies in just one country 
and are variable. One service has been fully liberalized by all five States, namely very small aperture 
terminal ( VSAT) satellites, while another service, global mobile personal communication by satellite 
(GMPCS), has been fully liberalized by the four States for which this information is available 
(Cameroon, Gabon, CAR, Chad). Partial liberalization is relatively unc ommon; in countries where 
services have been liberalized , they are generally fully liberalized. Beside maintaining the monopoly 
on all types of fixed lines, it is difficult to see why liberalization varies across the CEMAC member 
States.  
4.64.  The bulk of the CE MAC policy instruments are contained in the 2008 telecommunications 
package discussed in detail in the previous TPR.86 In terms of implementation at the Community 
level, the Technical Committee for the Regulation of Electronic Communications (CTR) provided  for 
in Decision No.  45/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 is in place. Implementation of the package in individual 
member States is describe d in detail in the country annexes.  
4.65.  The only new regulatory element adopted during the review period is Directive No.  10/11 
"harmoni zing procedures for setting and controlling tariffs for electronic communications services in 
the CEMAC member States".  
4.66.  One objective identified in regional consultations on CEMAC zone integration projects in 
July 2019 was a CEMAC digital single market to be implemented by means of four instruments: 
(a) the Central African Backbone optical fibre network; (b) the Central African Satellite; (c) the 
abolition of roaming charges; and (d) regional regulations on mobile banking.  
4.67.  Progress in these projects varies.  The Central African Backbone project was launched in 2015, 
co-financed by the World Bank and various multilateral and regional institutions including the 
Development Bank of Central African States,  but the full network rollout, originally scheduled for 
end-2019, is not yet complete. The Central African Satellite project is at the feasibility study stage 
and has not yet been presented to donors.  
4.68.  In so far as roaming charges are concerned, the second extraordinary session of the Steering 
Committee on the Eco nomic and Financial Reform Programme (PREF -CEMAC) decided in 
October  2019 that roaming charges would no longer be applied to outgoing calls in the five CEMAC 
countries as from January  2020. Regulation No.  04/20 -UEAC -CM-35 was drawn up to that end and 
enter ed into force on 8  September  2020. The regulation postponed the abolition of roaming charges 
to 1 January  2021. But that date was not met. In November  2021, the various CEMAC zone 
regulators signed a series of bilateral protocols to bring the abolition int o effect. However, in 
May 2022, PREF -CEMAC directed the CEMAC Commission " to monitor the steps required for the 
effective entry into force of the protocols on the abolition of roaming fees in the CEMAC zone ". 
4.69.  Lastly, regulations on mobile banking services have recently been adopted (Section  4.4.5).  
4.70.  The latest regulatory development to date is a project for closer cooperation between the 
Assembly of Telecommunications Regulators of Central Africa (ARTAC) and the CEMAC Secretariat. 
The foundations of the proj ect were laid at a meeting in September  2022 in Brazzaville to draw up 
a regional harmonized regulatory environment for telecommunications and information technology.  
4.4.3    Transport services  
4.71.  At its session of 19  October  2017 the ad hoc  Council of Ministers for Transport and Public 
Works approved a CEMAC  transport policy for Central Africa for 2035. The policy was subsequently 
adopted by the Council of Ministers and the CEMAC Conference of Head s of State at their meetings 
at end -October  2017. The aim of the policy is to "ensure the smooth flow of trade in goods and 
movement of persons between the countries of Central Africa by means of a transport policy covering 
 
86 Directives No.  08/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 and No.  10/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 on tariff setting and 
supervision, Directive No.  09/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 on the activities regime, Directive 
No. 07/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 on user protection, Directive No.  06/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 on universal service and 
Regulation No.  21/08 -UEAC -133-CM-18 on network regulation policies, cf TPR/S/285, pp. 66 -68 and Box  4.3. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  all modes and components of the transport system in order to achieve sustainable economic and 
social development in the region". It is based on an unflinching seven -point analysis of the transport 
situation in the subregion:  
• inadequate transport infrastructure and falling investment;  
• high additional costs unrelated to infrastructure;  
• inadequate involvement of transport in land -use planning;  
• inadequate development and management of finances;  
• the real risk of increased environmental damage caused by transport and the need for 
security and s afety improvements;  
• inadequate regional governance of transport;  
• inadequate stakeholder training and lack of professionalism in the transport sector.  
4.4.3.1   Air transport services  
4.72.  The members of CEMAC are still bound by the 1999 Libreville Agreement. Its provisio ns are 
much more liberal (unlimited 3rd, 4th and 5th freedom rights, principal place of business, 
multi-designation, free pricing, pre -determination of aircrafts' frequencies but not individual 
capacities) than those of other bilateral agreements between C EMAC member States and third 
States. Its Weighted Air Liberalization Index under the WTO QUASAR methodology87 is 37 out of 50, 
whereas the weighted index of the agreements between each of the CEMAC member States and 
third States is between 8 and 10 out of 50.88 
4.73.  However these liberal provisions have had barely any effect on intra -CEMAC traffic because it 
accounted for only 0.1 % of total air traffic in all CEMAC member States in 2011, the last year for 
which the underlying data of the WTO QUASAR database are available. It is unlikely that the figure 
has changed significantly in the intervening years, especially in view of the fact that a number of 
CEMAC airlines that were active in 2011 have subsequently ceased trading. The low percentage can 
be explained by t he absence of traffic in the trading area, and where potential traffic exists, by the 
absence of local airlines capable of providing the service.  
4.74.  Air navigation services continue to be provided in all member States by the pan -African 
Agency for Air Navigat ion Safety in Africa and Madagascar  (ASECNA). The developments specific to 
each member State with regard to bilateral agreements with third States, airport services and 
ground handling services will be discussed in the relevant country annex.  
4.75.   The only significant development at the Community level during the review period is the fact 
that, in 2019, CEMAC finally abandoned the plan it had launched in 2001 for a Community airline. 
By Additional Act No.  02/19 -CEMAC -066-CCE-14 the Conference of CE MAC Heads of State repealed 
Additional Act No.  02/01 -CEMAC -066-CE-03 of 8  December  2001 establishing a Community air 
transport company in the CEMAC zone.  
4.4.3.2   Maritime transport and port services  
4.76.  The last revision of the Community Merchant Marine Code dates fro m July  2012. The market 
access provisions are unchanged from previous versions, namely national and subregional cabotage 
is reserved to vessels flying the flag of a member State, save for reasoned exemptions agreed by 
each competent maritime authority on a  case-by-case basis. In order to obtain the nationality and 
therefore the flag of a member State, the vessel must meet the following conditions:  
 
87 For further details on this methodology, see  WTO document S/C/W/270/Add.1 of 30  November  2006, 
p. I.14. 
88 For a detailed analysis of the Libreville Agreement, see WTO document S/C/W/270/Add.2 of 
28 September  2007, pp  71-77. WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  • if it is owned by natural persons, at least 20 % of equity must be owned by CEMAC nationals 
or nationals of a th ird State with which a reciprocal arrangement is in place;  
• if it is owned by a company, the place of establishment of that company must be in the 
territory of the member State concerned and at least one of the officers (President, 
Director -General or Chief  Executive) of the board of directors, executive board or any 
other management body as appropriate, is a national of the flag State, or of another State 
that has reciprocal arrangements with the flag State;  
• additionally, where the company is a partnership or corporation other than a public limited 
company ( société anonyme ), at least 20 % of its equity must be held by CEMAC nationals 
or nationals of States recognized as having equivalent entitlement under reciprocal 
arrangements.  
4.77.  There are still no Community regulations on cargo tracking notes (known as " bordereaux de 
suivi des cargaisons " (BESC) in CEMAC countries) for imports. However the Union of African 
Shippers' Council ( UASC ) is currently discussing the name of the BESC, delivery costs, etc. with a 
view to the regional harmonization of the costs inherent in the proposal for a tariff bracket and to 
mitigate discriminatory treatment arising as a result of the point of loading of the imported goods.  
4.78.  Harmonization should be facilitated by the fact that the le gislation and practices of the 
member States in this area are broadly similar. All the member States, including those that are 
landlocked, have introduced the requirement for imports arriving by sea to be accompanied by an 
inspection form or cargo tracking  note. The note is generally produced by the ministry responsible 
for transport in each country and has to be filed with the national shippers' councils. The  charges for 
issuing this document vary from one country to another and can give rise to  discrimina tory treatment 
depending on the point of loading of the imported goods. After ins pection, the company issues an 
inspection declaration which is required for customs clearance.  
4.79.  This legislation is rooted in the United Nations Code of Conduct for Liner Confe rences of 1974, 
which was originally intended to reserve cargo to African national fleets that have since disappeared. 
They are still sharply criticized by multilateral institutions, particularly the World Bank, because they 
impose costs on imports from th e countries concerned without offering any identifiable overall 
benefit, apart from providing support to shippers' councils that generally do not pass their receipts 
on to the general State budget.  
4.4.3.3    Land transport infrastructure and services  
4.80.  The Integrated Economic Programme (PER) adopted by the Conference of the CEMAC Heads 
of State in 2010 contained 27 programmes structured around 107  projects carried out over three 
five-year periods: 2011 -15, 2016 -20 and 2020 -25. The programmes and projects wer e to be 
financed partly by the "Emergence Fund" based on a levy on receipts from oil and other raw 
materials, and by the Community Development Fund (FODEC).  
4.81.  The implementation of phase  1 (2011 -15) of the PER was delayed by the absence of feasibility 
studie s for some of the projects and by the failure to finalize the mechanism to finance the 
Emergence Fund, combined with unsatisfactory collection of the community integration tax (less 
than one third of expected revenue) which was to be fed into FODEC.  
4.82.  In vie w of these challenges, CEMAC decided instead to focus implementation of the first phase 
on a few select programmes including the road and rail infrastructure master plan and eight "road 
integration projects".  
4.83.  The road and rail infrastructure master plan fo r 2025 and 2035 was approved in October  2017 
by the ad hoc  Council of Ministers for Transport and Public Works. It was adopted by the Council of 
Ministers and the Conference of CEMAC Heads  of State at end -October  2017. The plan was based 
on road and rail p rojects set out in Operational Plan phase  1 of the CEMAC PER, and projects in the 
ECCAS /CEMAC Consensual Master Plan on Transport in Central Africa (PDCT -AC). It covers 
75 projects for roads and seven for rail.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.84.  The eight priority road integration projects are to be financed by the member States, by their 
technical and financial partners (TFP) or jointly by the member States and the TFPs. The projects 
are at different stages: some have been completed, whereas others await additional funding so that 
work can begin or be completed. Some projects are subject to oversight by the Steering Committees 
of member States and donors. It is against that background that coordination difficulties have arisen 
with the projects that were prioritized by the member States.  
4.85.  In view of those difficulties, CEMAC decided to revise the PER downwards, taking account 
funding issues and new challenges such as security. This delayed implementation of the second 
phase of the PER accordingly. In an attempt to step up the pace, in July  2019, CEMAC decided to 
focus on 11  major infrastructure "integration projects" costed at EUR  4.1 billion. Seven of the 
11 projects involve road infrastructure in the broad sense (including the construction of two dry 
ports).  
4.86.   A Round Table for financing the C EMAC integration projects was held in Paris on 16  and 
17 November  2020. When the Round Table closed, the organizers announced they had received 
EUR 3.8 billion in finance commitments from six donors (including EUR  710 million that had already 
been mobilize d), namely BDEAC, AfBD, AFREXIMBANK, World Bank, SX Capital Holdings and CCA in 
Scandinavia.  
4.87.  Held in Brazzaville in February  2023, the outcome of the 6th meeting of the Technical 
Committee with responsibility for overseeing financial mobilization and imple mentation of CEMAC's 
11 priority integration projects indicated, first, that work had started on 70 % of the projects 
presented to the Paris Round Table in 2020 and, second, that the Monitoring Committee had selected 
15 further integration projects as candi dates for inclusion in the second CEMAC programme for 
priority integration projects (2023 -28) – and a Round Table on financing those projects is planned 
for November  2023.  
4.88.  In 2007 the World Bank approved a Transport and Transit Facilitation project in the amount 
of USD  276 million with a scheduled completion date of 30  June 2020.89 
4.89.  There were no developments in common transport service policy during the review period and 
none have come about since the Additional Act to the CACEU Convention No.  05/96 of 1996  
regulating the conditions for pursuit of the profession of inter -State general road haulage operator.  
4.4.4   Tourism services  
4.90.  During the review period CEMAC adopted a common tourism policy and, on 
28 December  2021, the organization adopted Directive No.  09/21 on  the freedom of movement and 
freedom of establishment of any national of a CEMAC member State who is established in the 
territory of another member State to open tourism agencies and organize travel90; the Regulation 
liberalizes this activity for Community  nationals across Community territory.  
4.91.  The CEMAC report Vers une intégration accélérée pour une CEMAC émergente, renouveau 
communautaire 2012 -2017 ("Towards accelerated integration for an emerging CEMAC, Community 
renewal 2012 -17") notes that in 2012 -17 as  part of initial training, the Community awarded 
272 diplomas in hotel and restaurant management and tourism services to nationals of the 
six CEMAC member States, as part of courses leading to the award of a brevet d'études 
professionnelles  (a vocational d iploma), a brevet de technicien  (a technical diploma), or brevet de 
technicien  supérieur  (an advanced technical diploma).  
 
89 For further details on this project see inter alia: https://projects.banquemondiale.org/fr/projects -
operations/project -detail/P079736 . 
90 For the full text of the Directive, see: 
https://www.cemac.int/sites/default/files/Textes%20Officiels/DIRN09~1.PDF . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.4.5   Financial services  
4.4.5.1   Insurance services  
4.92.  Table  4.7 uses the indicator for total life and non -life insurance premiums taken by insurance 
companies to illustrate change in the insurance sector in the CEMAC zone countries during the review 
period.  
Table 4.7 Total life and non -life insurance premiums in the CEMAC zone, 
2011,  2015  and 2020  
(USD  million, except where calculated in CFAF)  
 2011  2015  2020  Change 2011 -20 
Cameroon  272 304 388 47% 
Central  African  Republic  7 5 11 61% 
Chad  16 24 28 78% 
Congo  75 159 112 54% 
Gabon  179 198 195 12% 
CEMAC total 549 690 734 33.6%  
Source:  Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA)  
4.93.  As this table shows, the sector grew throughout the zone during the period as a whole but 
peaked in Congo and Gabon in 2015, before declining in those countries thereafter. There are wide 
disparities between the member States, as illustrated by the highly variable volume of premiums 
from country to country.  
4.94.  Overall the sector is in its infancy and penetration rates are low, even by African standards. 
This is shown in Table  4.8, which sets o ut the premium amounts, density, penetration rate and the 
numbers of companies and their employees in 2020.  
Table 4.8 Insurance sector indicators in the CEMAC zone, 2020  
 Premiums  
(USD  million)  Density 
(USD)  Penetration 
rate Number of 
companies  Employees  
Cameroon  388 15 0.95%  28 1,252  
Central  African  Republic  11 2 0.46%  1 41 
Chad  28 1 0.26%  3 116 
Congo  112 20 1.1%  8 271 
Gabon  195 88 1.27%  10 389 
Source:  CIMA. Information viewed at: https://cima -afrique.org /. 
4.95.  The common regulations that apply in the CEMAC member States in insurance matters 
emanate from a body that is geographically broader in scope than CEMAC, namely the Inter -African 
Conference on Insurance Markets  (CIMA), which to date covers 14  countries in West and Central 
Africa. Founded pursuant to an intergovernmental treaty of 1992, the way this institution operates 
is compar able to that of CEMAC or the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). It has a Council of 
Ministers that is able to make regulations and decisions. One of its bodies, the Regional Commission 
for Insurance Supervision, is tasked with supervising insurance com panies and its decisions are final.  
4.96.  The regime governing the establishment of insurance companies, as set out in the CIMA Code, 
has not undergone any significant developments during the review period. Establishment must first 
be approved by the Minister in  charge of insurance in each of the countries of establishment, subject 
to the favourable opinion of the Regional Commission for Insurance Supervision (CRCA).  
4.97.  Foreign companies are treated in the same way as domestic companies, apart from having to 
produce  a few additional documents. In particular, foreign companies must appoint a general agent 
or a natural person able to speak for the company at the local level, and produce a certificate 
attesting to the fact that the company has been established and is op erating in its country of origin 
in accordance with the laws of that country.  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.98.  During the review period CIMA's regulatory activity focused on technical aspects91 and did not 
affect the regime governing access to the reinsurance market.  
4.99.  In 1991, the CIMA cou ntries founded a public reinsurance company, the Compagnie Commune 
Africaine de Réassurance (CICA -RE), which benefits from the cession of all reinsurance contracts 
signed in the zone. A decision of the CIMA Council of Ministers of 10  October  2019 reinforce d 
mandatory cession, stating that it applies "with no minimum threshold" : 
• to all insurance and reinsurance bodies established under national law operating in the 
CIMA zone, except those engaged exclusively in reinsurance operations,  at a rate of 
10% of the reinsurance contracts signed by them;  
• to all insurance and reinsurance companies operating in the CIMA zone, except those 
engaged exclusively in reinsurance operations, at a rate of 5 % of life insurance savings 
premiums.  
4.100.   Moreover, discussions are still under way regarding the establishment of a CEMAC -specific 
reinsurance company.  
4.4.5.2   Banking and other financial services  
4.4.5.2.1   Economic and institutional characteristics of the sector  
4.101.   Table  4.9 shows how the position of CEMAC banks' ba lance sheets changed during the review 
period.  
Table 4.9 Leading balance sheet aggregates of banks in the CEMAC zone, 
2012  and 2016 -20 
(CFAF  million)  
 December   
2012  December   
2016  December   
2017  December   
2018 December   
2019  December   
2020  
Customer 
deposits  8,675,000  9,426,115  9,339,476  9,878,027  10,394,378  11,478,884  
Gross loans  5,424,000  8,503,793  8,465,529  8,761,739  8,442,075  9,033,282  
Outstanding  
debts  495,000  1,267,407  1,446,874  1,856,174  1,782,982  1,914,753  
Provisions for 
claims  377,000  716,844  843,170  995,854  992,775  1,129,492  
Net credit  5,047,000  7,786,949  7,622,359  7,765,885  7,449,300  7,903,790  
Capital funds  999,000  1,478,180  1,534,303  1,664,743  1,795,081  1,917,133  
Capitalized 
assets  586,000  1,027,706  1,110,788  1,102,999  1,266,667  1,461,694  
Cash surpluses/  
deficits  4,142,000  2,200,017  2,312,568  2,871,674  3,701,773  4,235,109  
Total balance 
sheet  9,775,000  13,074,116  12,685,060  13,475,648  14,092,776  15,213,309  
Source:  Cerber. Viewed at: https://cima -afrique.org /. 
4.102.   In its report No.  22/208 of July  2022 Central African   Economic and Monetary Community  – 
Common Policies in Support of Member Countries Reform Programs , the IMF considers that 
aggregate solvency in the CEMAC banking sys tem is solid but is marked by a large heterogeneity 
across countries and between private and public banks, and by sizable capital shortfalls, provisioning 
needs, and numerous prudential breaches. The IMF recommends that dividend distributions should 
be lim ited, especially for banks that are close to the capital adequacy regulatory minimum, until 
asset quality and profitability uncertainties have abated, and more robust determinations of capital 
adequacy can be made using on -site inspections and stress tests . 
4.103.   Banks' sovereign exposure almost doubled during the last five years, to reach 25.6 % in the 
first quarter of 2022, reflecting the public financing needs during the COVID -19 pandemic. The IMF 
 
91 For an overview of the technical regulations in question, see: http://cima -afrique.net/reglements -du-
conseil -des-ministres/ . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  considers that concentration limits and non -zero risk weights on  sovereign exposure should be 
enforced to remedy the situation.  
4.4.5.2.2   General regulatory framework governing banking activities  
4.104.   The Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) established pursuant to a 1990 
Convention  is the common regulatory body responsible for  bank regulation and supervision the 
CEMAC zone. In terms of supervision of the banks in the zone it has:  
• administrative powers: it issues approvals in individual licensing and authorization 
procedures – the procedures themselves remain the prerogative of the national monetary 
authorities – and the temporary administration and liquidation of establishments whose 
authorization has expired;  
• regulatory powers: it defines the accounting plan and procedures applicable to credit 
institutions, and prudential manag ement standards such as the solvency, liquidity, risk 
diversification, conversion, and equity -to-assets ratios;  
• supervisory powers, on - and off -site; and  
• sanctioning powers: it can impose disciplinary sanctions such as a warning, reprimand, 
prohibition on the execution of certain operations or any other limitation in the exercise of 
banking activities, the suspension or compulsory resignation of the senior managers 
responsible and, lastly, the withdrawal of the establishment's authorization.  
4.105.   During the revi ew period, COBAC adopted several regulations92 seeking to bolster banking 
supervision using an approach based on risk assessment and dealing with distressed banks including 
Regulations Nos.  R-2013-04 on the liquidity of credit institutions; R -2016-01 on co nditions and 
arrangements for issuing licences ; R-2016-02 on changes of situation in credit institutions ; 
R-2016-03 on the net equity of credit institutions ; R-2016-04 on internal controls ; R-2018-01 on 
loan classification, accounting and provisioning ; R-2018-02 on procedures for the calculation of 
penalties imposed for failure to comply with injunctions ; R-2018-03 on the identification and 
supervision of systemically important institutions ; R-2018-04 on procedures for obtaining 
authorizati on as a credit institution for a subsidiary opened under the single authorization regime ; 
R-2018-05 on the composition of the banking and non -banking segments ; R-2019-02 on prudential 
standards applicable to payment institutions; R -2019-03 on the procedure s for the application and 
collection of pecuniary penalties by the Central African Banking Commission; and R -2020-01 on risk 
diversification in credit institutions.93 
4.106.   In 2016, COBAC also supplemented and updated its mechanism for combating money 
laundering  and financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) by adopting Regulation 
No. 01/16/CEMAC/UMAC/CM on the prevention and suppression of money laundering and the 
financing of terrorism and proliferation in Central Africa. It also continues to manage the Deposit 
Guarantee  Fund in Central Africa (FOGADAC) established in 2004.  
4.107.   Additionally, to address the consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic, COBAC took two 
decisions to relax regulations, in particular prudential regulations, that apply to bodies subject to its 
supervision (COBAC Decision  D-2020/027 establishing temporary derogations from certain 
requirements in the regulations applicable to institutions supervised by COBAC, and COBAC 
Decision  D-2020/104 introducing measures modifying the prudential regulations applicable to  
institutions supervised by COBAC). Both emergency mechanisms were gradually phased out in 2022.  
4.108.   After the delays caused by the COVID -19 pandemic, COBAC has resumed its work agenda 
on implementing risk -based prudential and anti -money laundering and counter ing financing of 
terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision, modernizing the regulatory framework in line with the Basel 
framework implementation plan. Progress has been made on implementing the liquidity coverage 
ratio (LCR). The IMF advised COBAC to prioritize the revision of solvency requirements and steadily 
 
92 The COBAC decisions  and regulations referred to in this section were viewed at the following address: 
http://41.159.136.90/jcms/mbm_6633/fr/reglementation . 
93 Text viewed at:  https://www.beac.int/wp -content/uploads/2016/10/reglement_cobac_r -2018-
03_relatif_a_lidentification_et_a_la_surveillance_des_etablissements_dimportance_systemique.pdf . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  improve banks' governance, risk management frameworks, AML/CFT compliance, and cybersecurity. 
The IMF reiterated the importance of strengthening COBAC's resources and upgrading its supervisory 
capacity (includ ing IT solutions), given the large number of banks and microfinance companies under 
its supervision, as well as the emergence of new topics and activities, including a possible future 
regulatory framework for cryptoassets.  
4.4.5.2.3   Microfinance institutions (MFI)  
4.109.   At end -September  2021, the aggregated balance sheet was CFAF  1,340  billion. Deposits 
taken in CEMAC rose from CFAF  977 billion at 31  December  2020 to CFAF  1,007  billion at 
end-September  2021. Gross loans stood at CFAF  695 billion. At end -September  2021 the bulk of 
outstanding performing loans (CFAF  582 billion), which represented 84 % of gross lending, 
comprised short -term loans (44 %), long -term loans (31 %) and medium -term loans (25 %). 
4.110.   During the review period, COBAC finalized the regulations on microfinance institutions (MFI) 
that were worked on between 2002 and 2010.94 
4.111.   The adoption of Regulation No.  1/17 CEMAC/UMAC/COBAC of 27  September  2017 on the 
conditions governing the exercise and control of microfinance activities in CEMAC modernizes the 
microfinance framework, in particular in relation to the organization of the activity, the conditions of 
access to the profession, minimum registered capital, changes in legal situation, governance, 
internal controls, AML/CFT, and prudential standards witho ut affecting market access conditions. In 
particular, the Regulation does not lay down any nationality requirement for natural or legal persons 
in relation to ownership or control of MFIs.  
4.112.   The main features of the updated regime are as follows:  
• With the ex ception of money transfers, all operations carried out by microfinance 
institutions are restricted to within the State where the institutions are established. For 
external operations, microfinance institutions may avail themselves of the services of a 
bank from the same State.  
• The main operations that microfinance institutions are authorized to perform include 
collecting savings, granting credit and providing customers with access to and the means 
to manage payment methods, including money transfers.  
• The ma ximum outstanding amount of loans that a microfinance institution can extend to 
a member or customer as lines of credit or signature loans is capped at an amount set by 
COBAC regulation.  
4.113.   The adoption in January  2018 of Regulation COBAC EMF  2018-01 on the liquidation of small 
MFIs (namely MFIs whose total  deposits are less than CFAF  1 billion) completed the regulatory 
mechanism.  
4.4.5.2.4   Financial markets  
4.114.   The main development in financial markets during the review period was the merger in 
July 2019 of the former Douala Stock Exchange (DSX) and the Central African S tock Exchange 
(BVMAC) (in Libreville, Gabon). The new exchange is in Cameroon but has retained the name 
BVMAC, whereas the body regulating it, the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission 
(COSUMAF), is based in Libreville, Gabon.  
4.115.   Despite thi s rationalization, the financial markets of Central Africa are still in their infancy 
and are essentially driven by member States issuing government bonds that are listed on the primary 
and secondary markets. Share capitalization and the number of companie s listed is still very low 
despite modest growth during the review period.  
 
94 Details of the regulations concerned can be viewed at: https://www.beac.int/supervision -
bancaire/microfinance/reglements -de-microfinance/ . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  4.4.5.2.5   Credit bureaux  
4.116.   In December  2018, COBAC adopted Regulation No. 03/18/CEMAC/UMAC/CM on conditions 
for the pursuit, oversight and supervision of the activities of credit bureaux ( BIC) in CEMAC . The 
Regulation does not lay down any nationality requirement for natural or legal persons in relation to 
ownership or control of such institutions. Instead, it provides for a number of requirements in rela tion 
to domicile, authorization and type of share ownership:  
• A BIC must be incorporated as a closed -end public limited company ( société anonyme à 
capital fixe ) and have its head office in the territory of one of the CEMAC member States.  
• It must have a mini mum amount of share capital as laid down in a BEAC instruction. The 
share capital must be fully paid up on the day of the licensing application. The shares 
issued by the BIC must be registered shares;  
• The suppliers and users of credit information may acqui re shares in a BIC individually, 
either directly or indirectly, up to a limit of 5 % of the capital stock;  
• The aggregate of shares held, directly or indirectly, in the capital stock of a BIC by 
suppliers and users of credit information may not exceed 49 % of that capital stock;  
• A licensed BIC may be authorized by the BEAC to open representative offices, branches or 
subsidiaries in CEMAC member States other than that in which its head office or place of 
operations is located.  
4.4.5.2.6   Payment systems  
4.117.   During the review period, COBAC supplemented the regulatory framework drawn up in 2008 
and 2010 governing payment systems to bring it into line with recent developments in technology. 
Regulations Nos.  04/18/CEMAC/UMAC/COBAC on payment services an d COBAC  R-2019/01 on 
licensing and changes in situation of payment service providers  determine the conditions governing 
the exercise and control of payment service activities. They apply to payment service providers 
operating in CEMAC countries, their technical partners and their distributors, not including payment 
transactions made in cash di rectly from the payer to the payee, without any intermediary 
intervention, and payment transactions performed by a central bank, national treasury or financial 
services arm of the post office.  
4.118.   The main features of the updated regime are as follows:  
• First, these regulations do not lay down any nationality requirement for natural or legal 
persons in relation to ownership or control of such institutions;  
• Authorized or licensed credit institutions, microfinance institutions and payment 
institutions are authoriz ed to operate as payment service providers;  
• Payment institutions may neither make available nor manage means of making 
foreign -exchange payments: cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange or documentary 
credit; neither may they take deposits;  
• Payment se rvice providers are not authorized to provide credit services in any form 
whatsoever within the framework of issuing and managing electronic money, nor to pay 
interest on funds collected in exchange for electronic currency units issued. However, 
funds from  a loan granted to a client by a credit or microfinance institution may be used 
to acquire electronic currency units;  
• Payment institutions are authorized to provide the following related services: 
(a) investment of resources, drawn from their own funds, in  one or more types of secure, 
liquid, low -risk assets and accounts as defined by COBAC regulation; (b)  exchange of 
currency with a view to making a payment in CFA francs into a payment account; 
(c) guarantee the execution of payment transactions on behalf of other payment service 
providers; (d) management and operation of automated payment systems and payment WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  terminals; and (e) safekeeping activities and the storage, and processing of data on behalf 
of other payment service providers;  
• Provision by a payment service provider of a payment service not referred to in its licence 
(change or extension of activity) is subject to prior authorization by COBAC. The institution 
may provide the new service only from the date of issue of COBAC's prior authorizatio n. 
A payment service provider must inform COBAC in advance about any new technical 
solution that the provider would like to use for a service it is already authorized to provide. 
The service provider may use the technical solution only from the date of iss ue of a no 
objection notice from COBAC.  
4.119.   Lastly, Regulation No.  01/20/CEMAC/UMAC/COBAC of 3  July 202095 lays down specific 
obligations that payment service providers must comply with in respect of consumer protection.  
 
 
 
95 Information viewed at: http://kalieu -elongo.com/wp -
content/uploads/2020/11/4_5856993111384786764.pdf . WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  5  APPENDIX - TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Structure of exports (extra -CEMAC), 2012 -21 
(USD  million and  %) 
 2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
World (USD  million)  14,620  17,635  15,752  14,346  10,648  12,286  15,877  10,720  9,287  9,187  
 (percentage share)  
Total primary products  89.4 85.7 74.4 60.8 47.1 67.4 91.2 92.2 90.0 85.8 
Agriculture  10.5 9.3 11.1 13.1 16.8 13.9 11.3 17.1 19.1 23.3 
Food 4.8 4.1 5.5 7.2 9.0 5.8 4.5 7.4 8.4 10.5 
Agricultural raw 
materials  5.8 5.2 5.6 5.9 7.8 8.1 6.7 9.8 10.7 12.8 
Mining  78.9 76.4 63.3 47.6 30.3 53.5 79.9 75.0 70.9 62.5 
Ores and other 
minerals  0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 
Non-ferrous metals  0.5 0.4 1.0 0.9 1.1 2.6 1.5 1.8 1.5 2.1 
Fuel 77.8 75.6 62.0 46.4 28.9 50.5 78.4 73.2 69.3 60.3 
Manufactures  10.2 13.9 24.5 38.7 51.3 31.4 7.9 5.4 7.6 5.7 
Iron and steel  0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
Chemicals  0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 
Other semi -manufactures  0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.8 
Machinery and transport 
equipment  8.5 12.6 23.0 37.5 49.3 28.9 6.7 3.9 6.3 4.3 
Power -generating 
machinery  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 
Other non -electrical 
machinery  0.6 0.6 0.8 0.7 1.4 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.6 
Office machines and 
telecommunications 
equipment  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 
Other electrical 
machinery  0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Automotive products  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.1 1.4 
Other transport 
equipment  7.6 11.8 22.0 36.1 47.2 27.1 5.8 2.8 5.7 2.0 
Textiles  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Articles of apparel  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Other consumer goods  0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
Other  0.4 0.4 1.1 0.5 1.6 1.1 0.9 2.5 2.4 8.5 
Note:  The data refer to the CEMAC States  Members of the  WTO.  
 Owing to the lack of detailed data, trade in Gabon has not been taken into account for the period 
2012-21 in the calculations.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates  based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database and the International 
Trade Centre Trade Map database, data provided by the authorities, and data obtained from 
Comtrade, mirror statistics.  
  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Table A1. 2 Destination of exports, 201 2-21 
(USD  million and  %) 
 2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
World (USD  million)  14,620  17,635  15,752  14,346  10,648  12,286  15,877  10,720  9,287  9,187  
 (percentage share)  
America s 24.6 19.9 18.5 14.2 10.9 8.6 6.5 5.8 4.9 2.4 
United States  22.9 18.0 17.7 11.7 10.8 7.3 5.4 5.2 2.6 1.4 
Other  - America s 1.7 1.8 0.7 2.5 0.1 1.3 1.1 0.6 2.4 0.9 
Europe  37.7 28.1 25.6 30.0 41.1 34.0 22.4 24.3 28.9 35.7 
EU (27) 35.8 24.1 22.8 27.4 39.4 29.6 21.1 22.7 25.4 33.2 
Germany  0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.9 0.4 0.6 1.1 3.3 12.2 
Netherlands  10.5 4.5 3.7 5.0 4.9 4.7 5.1 7.1 3.6 7.7 
France  9.1 4.6 3.2 2.7 4.0 4.8 2.9 2.4 5.3 4.1 
Italy 2.5 1.1 5.2 4.0 5.0 6.4 8.0 5.4 3.6 3.7 
Spain  5.1 4.7 7.1 7.8 21.7 9.9 2.8 4.0 6.8 3.0 
Belgium  1.3 1.1 1.0 1.4 2.0 1.6 1.0 1.3 1.5 2.2 
EFTA 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1 1.0 0.2 
Other - Europe  1.8 3.5 2.4 1.2 1.4 4.1 0.7 1.6 2.5 2.3 
Türkiye  0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 1.4 1.7 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS)a 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Africa  11.2 10.7 14.3 21.8 17.5 12.0 5.4 3.6 4.0 6.9 
Côte d'Ivoire  0.3 0.6 0.8 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 2.4 
Togo  0.4 0.1 0.1 6.7 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.1 1.0 1.9 
Middle East  0.6 0.6 1.4 0.7 2.6 1.7 1.7 3.3 2.8 10.0 
United Arab Emirates  0.4 0.5 1.4 0.6 2.5 1.2 1.2 2.5 2.5 9.5 
Asia 25.8 40.7 35.2 28.2 18.2 40.0 63.8 62.9 59.3 45.1 
China  17.0 26.1 18.4 13.8 11.2 30.0 50.6 42.4 45.5 26.1 
Japan  0.3 1.1 1.9 1.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 
Other - Asia 8.6 13.5 15.0 12.7 6.3 10.0 13.2 20.3 13.8 18.9 
Chinese Taipei  0.7 0.3 0.9 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.3 2.6 5.5 
India  1.7 2.2 3.7 7.8 1.6 2.9 5.2 13.4 3.8 5.4 
Bangladesh  0.1 0.1 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.2 1.3 1.9 
Viet Nam  0.3 0.4 0.6 1.2 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.3 
Malaysia  1.8 2.1 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.8 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.1 
Other  0.0 0.1 5.0 5.1 9.6 3.8 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 
Memo:            
EU-28 37.1 26.9 25.0 28.2 40.4 30.7 21.4 23.7 26.5 33.9 
a Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former member  States.  
Note:  The data refer to the CEMAC States  Members of the  WTO.  
 Owing to the lack of detailed data, trade in Gabon has not been taken into account for the 
period  2012-21 in the calculations.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates  based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database and the International 
Trade Centre Trade Map database, data provided by the authorities, and data obtained from 
Comtrade, mirror statistics.  
  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
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  Table A1. 3 Structure of imports (extra -CEMAC), 2012 -21 
(USD  million and  %)  
2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
World (USD  million)  13,686  15,030  18,931  17,742  17,045  10,418  10,378  10,098  8,847 10,596   
(percentage share)  
Total primary products  30.2 27.4 24.4 22.0 15.3 30.1 36.6 41.4 39.9 38.3 
Agriculture  14.4 15.6 11.9 11.3 10.4 20.2 19.9 21.5 24.3 24.2 
Food 13.5 14.7 11.2 10.6 9.8 19.0 18.5 20.2 22.7 22.8 
Agricultural raw materials  1.0 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.3 
Mining  15.8 11.8 12.5 10.7 4.8 9.9 16.7 19.9 15.6 14.1 
Ores and other minerals  0.7 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.5 1.1 1.6 1.1 0.9 1.0 
Non-ferrous metals  0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 
Fuel 14.9 11.0 11.6 9.7 4.1 8.5 14.8 18.5 14.4 12.8 
Manufactures  69.5 72.2 75.4 77.3 84.4 69.3 62.7 58.0 59.7 60.8 
Iron and steel  3.2 3.3 3.2 4.2 2.3 4.3 4.2 3.4 4.7 5.3 
Chemicals  7.5 7.5 6.5 6.8 5.9 9.9 12.1 12.9 14.5 14.9 
Other semi -manufactures  6.7 7.4 6.8 7.4 7.2 10.0 8.1 9.2 9.0 9.2 
Machinery and transport equipment  45.7 48.7 54.1 53.8 64.4 39.4 32.4 25.6 24.2 22.7 
Power -generating machinery  1.3 1.1 0.9 1.2 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.1 
Other non -electrical machinery  8.9 8.5 8.1 7.2 5.8 8.6 9.0 7.8 6.9 6.6 
Office machines and 
telecommunications equipment  2.0 2.3 2.6 1.9 2.9 2.8 3.5 3.3 3.8 2.7 
Other electrical machinery  2.3 2.9 2.2 2.7 2.6 3.3 2.9 3.3 3.1 2.8 
Automotive products  4.6 4.5 4.2 3.7 3.3 5.8 4.6 4.5 4.9 6.1 
Other transport equipment  26.7 29.6 36.1 37.0 48.9 17.7 10.9 5.3 4.4 3.4 
Textiles  0.6 0.6 0.5 0.9 0.6 1.0 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.4 
Articles of apparel  0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.6 1.3 
Other consumer goods  5.4 4.4 3.9 4.1 3.6 4.2 4.7 5.2 5.3 5.9 
Other  0.3 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.9 
Note:  The data refer to the CEMAC States  Members of the  WTO.  
 Owing to the lack of detailed data, trade in Gabon has not been taken into account for the 
period  2012-21 in the calculations.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates  based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database and the International 
Trade Centre Trade Map database, data provided by the authorities, and data obtained from 
Comtrade, mirror statistics.  
  WT/TPR/S/445 /Rev.1  • CEMAC  
 
- 67 - 
 
  Table A1. 4 Origin of imports, 2012 -21 
(USD  million and  %) 
 2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
World (USD  million)  13,686  15,030  18,931  17,742 17,045  10,418  10,378  10,098  8,847  10,596  
 (percentage share)  
America s 9.1 8.3 14.0 11.7 14.9 7.8 7.2 8.2 8.1 6.9 
United States  3.3 3.2 4.0 6.3 7.7 3.4 3.9 5.0 4.9 3.4 
Other - America s 5.8 5.0 10.0 5.4 7.2 4.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.6 
Brazil  4.2 2.7 1.0 1.0 0.6 1.3 1.3 0.9 0.9 1.5 
Europe  32.8 33.7 40.1 32.7 35.7 36.6 36.5 36.5 39.6 35.3 
EU (27) 29.1 30.1 30.1 24.7 23.3 29.9 29.5 30.2 31.4 28.1 
France  11.7 11.8 8.7 8.7 8.6 10.4 10.4 10.5 11.2 10.1 
Belgium  4.3 3.7 1.4 1.3 1.3 5.2 4.2 6.4 5.8 4.9 
Germany  1.8 2.3 2.4 2.7 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.7 
Netherlands  2.6 2.8 7.3 1.7 1.2 2.4 3.5 2.8 2.9 2.6 
Italy 3.7 2.5 3.5 3.4 2.1 3.1 3.6 2.5 2.6 2.3 
Spain  2.4 4.7 1.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.3 2.6 2.1 
EFTA 0.6 0.5 6.3 4.0 5.5 3.7 2.2 0.9 2.1 1.0 
Norway  3.1 3.1 3.7 4.1 6.9 3.1 4.8 5.4 6.1 6.3 
Other - Europe  1.4 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.9 3.5 3.3 
Türkiye  0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.8 1.4 1.9 
Ukraine  0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 1.6 1.9 2.0 2.7 5.5 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS)a 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 1.6 1.9 2.0 2.5 5.5 
Africa  35.4 33.1 14.1 13.7 7.0 22.0 18.3 19.8 12.3 11.6 
Middle East  1.9 1.6 2.0 2.2 1.3 2.3 3.4 3.8 4.7 6.0 
United Arab Emirates  1.3 1.2 1.7 1.8 1.1 1.7 2.3 3.1 3.8 4.4 
Asia 20.2 22.9 29.4 39.4 40.5 25.3 32.0 29.7 32.6 34.5 
China  8.7 11.6 13.2 13.4 12.3 13.4 17.7 16.8 19.6 19.5 
Japan  1.3 1.1 1.8 3.2 4.4 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.7 
Other - Asia 10.1 10.1 14.3 22.7 23.8 10.4 12.9 11.6 11.7 13.3 
India  2.5 3.1 2.5 2.3 2.0 2.8 3.0 3.2 4.7 6.3 
Thailand  1.6 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.4 3.3 2.8 3.4 2.0 1.6 
Korea, Republic of  0.4 0.4 0.5 4.2 11.4 0.6 1.0 1.1 0.6 1.5 
Singapore  1.0 0.9 4.0 8.1 3.0 1.1 2.9 0.4 1.1 1.4 
Other  0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 4.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Memo:            
EU-28 30.7 31.8 31.6 26.5 26.6 31.4 31.6 31.8 32.6 29.0 
a Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former member  States.  
Note:  The data refer to the CEMAC States  Members of the  WTO.  
 Owing to the lack of detailed data, trade in Gabon has not been taken into account for the 
period  2012-21 in the calculations.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates  based on data from the UNSD Comtrade da tabase and the International 
Trade Centre Trade Map database, data provided by the authorities, and data obtained from 
Comtrade, mirror statistics.