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The twenty imports Cameroon is best placed to replace.

Cameroon imported USD 6.5bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 782m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.2bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
67products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
117products Cameroon already exports well
139product 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 strengthSugar confectionery: chewing gum, whether or not sugar-coated, not... (exports USD 662k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 226k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 28m
    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 3 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 in the same chapter
    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 13 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 strengthCement: hydraulic kinds n.e.c. in heading no. 2523 (exports USD 4m)
    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 strengthIndustrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining... (exports USD 1m)
    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 38 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 strengthWaste and scrap: of a kind used principally for the recovery of... (exports USD 415k)
    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 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 55mfrom USD 9m in 2022
  6. 6

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

    Comes fromChina 99%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFruit, edible: fruits n.e.c. in heading no. 0801 to 0810, fresh
    Exports of this lineUSD 67k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 26 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 30mup 301% on 2022
  7. 7

    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 strengthFood preparations: tapioca and substitutes thereof, prepared from... (exports USD 187k)
    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 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Malaysia supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 26mdown 8% on 2022
  8. 8

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

    Comes fromTurkey 95%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: tapioca and substitutes thereof, prepared from... (exports USD 187k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 361k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 2 per cent (3); Turkey supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 76% on 2022
  9. 9

    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 strengthHomogenised composite food preparations
    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 37 per cent (1); France supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 161mdown 14% on 2022
  10. 10

    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 in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 73m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 31 per cent (1); China supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 73mdown 58% on 2022
  11. 11

    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 strengthWaste and scrap: of a kind used principally for the recovery of... (exports USD 415k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11k
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); China supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 45mup 22% on 2022
  12. 12

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromUnited States 63%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaste and scrap: of a kind used principally for the recovery of... (exports USD 415k)
    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 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); United States supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 41mfrom USD 5m in 2022
  13. 13

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

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

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 41m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 41mdown 19% on 2022
  14. 14

    Vessels: light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main...HS 890590

    Comes fromNigeria 91%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels and other floating structures: for breaking up (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 25m, top 33 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Nigeria supplies 91 per cent (2).

    USD 25mfrom USD 3k in 2022
  15. 15

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

    Comes fromBelgium 60%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBran, sharps and other residues: of wheat, whether or not in the... (exports USD 469k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 50k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 35 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
  16. 16

    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 in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 39k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); China supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 22mup 177% on 2022
  17. 17

    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 47 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
  18. 18

    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 strengthnone in the same chapter
    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 50 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 19mfrom USD 2m in 2022
  19. 19

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromNetherlands 88%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoups and broths and preparations therefor (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 549k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 71 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Netherlands supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 87% on 2022
  20. 20

    Paper and paperboard: exercise booksHS 482020

    Comes fromChina 98%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 18k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 19m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 87 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Cameroon's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); China supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 142% on 2022

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.

  • Vessels and other floating structures: for breaking up imports USD 66m, exports USD 4m, top source Nigeria 100%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 139 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 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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