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The twenty imports Cameroon is best placed to replace.

Cameroon imported USD 6.3bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 741m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 1.2bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
56products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
117products Cameroon already exports well
134product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Cameroon already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Cameroon would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Cameroon does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromBrazil 80%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 226k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 243m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 243mup 152% on 2022
  2. 2

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or...HS 640299

    Comes fromChina 96%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 478k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 124m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 124mup 190% on 2022
  3. 3

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromNigeria 36%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2k
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3).

    USD 83mdown 59% on 2022
  4. 4

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 96%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 61m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 82m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 82mup 20% on 2022
  5. 5

    Base stationsHS 851761

    Comes fromChina 100%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 146m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 55mfrom USD 9m in 2022
  6. 6

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromIreland 42%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 17k
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Ireland supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 53mup 25% on 2022
  7. 7

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 99%, 2 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 21k
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 32mup 0% on 2022
  8. 8

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crochetedHS 610990

    Comes fromChina 99%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 67k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 25 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 30mup 301% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromMalaysia 62%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoups and broths and preparations therefor (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 446k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 27m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 26m, top 31 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Malaysia supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 26mdown 8% on 2022
  10. 10

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Comes fromTurkey 95%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 361k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Turkey supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 76% on 2022
  11. 11

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromFrance 50%, 32 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 39m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 161m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); France supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 161mdown 14% on 2022
  12. 12

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of...HS 720711

    Comes fromChina 41%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 73m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 73mdown 58% on 2022
  13. 13

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromFrance 32%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCocoa: powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter (exports USD 152k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 209k
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 51m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2).

    USD 51mdown 11% on 2022
  14. 14

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording...HS 852872

    Comes fromChina 95%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 11k
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); China supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 45mup 22% on 2022
  15. 15

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromUnited States 63%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 61m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 15 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); United States supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 41mfrom USD 5m in 2022
  16. 16

    Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710

    Comes fromBrazil 39%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 41mdown 19% on 2022
  17. 17

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromBelgium 60%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants: prepared or preserved... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 50k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Belgium supplies 60 per cent (1).

    USD 24mdown 7% on 2022
  18. 18

    Iron or steel: nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (not those of heading no. 8305) and the like...HS 731700

    Comes fromChina 100%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 39k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 40 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 22mup 177% on 2022
  19. 19

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromTurkey 45%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 280k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 46 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Turkey supplies 45 per cent (1).

    USD 19mdown 22% on 2022
  20. 20

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620462

    Comes fromChina 99%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurnishing articles: of textile materials other than cotton or... (exports USD 213k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 104k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 16m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 19m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 19mfrom USD 2m in 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Cameroon already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

No line where the country already exports well and still imports more than it sells abroad.

How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 134 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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