Advantages of Buying Commercial Real Estate in Cameroon

Cameroon is increasingly recognised as a diverse and promising destination for international property investors, overseas buyers, and long term renters seeking opportunities in Central Africa. Known as "Africa in Miniature" due to its varied landscapes, climates, and cultures, Cameroon offers a wide range of residential property options, from modern city apartments to coastal homes and countryside villas.

One of the key benefits of investing in property in Cameroon is affordability compared to many global markets. Purchase prices and rental yields remain attractive, especially in growing urban centres where demand for quality housing continues to rise. This makes Cameroon appealing for buyers looking to live locally, generate rental income, or combine personal use with investment returns.

Popular cities and towns with strong interest from international buyers, vacationers, and investors include Douala, Yaoundé, Limbe, Kribi, and Buea. Douala, the economic capital, attracts corporate tenants, expatriates, and long term renters. Yaoundé, the political capital, offers stable rental demand driven by government, diplomatic, and international organisations. Coastal towns such as Kribi and Limbe are highly sought after by vacationers and lifestyle buyers due to their beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and tourism potential.

Buying commercial real estate (CRE) in Cameroon can be a a good investment, but like all investments there should be due diligence performed.

Commercial properties typically generate higher rental income compared to luxury residential properties, especially if the property is leased to reliable tenants but can come with higher purchase or investments costs.

Commercial leases tend to be longer, and therefore provides a more stable cash flow than shorter residential leases. Leases can be over several years to 10 or more depending on the client.

Commercial real estate can have value appreciation over time, allowing the investors to sell at a higher price than the original purchase, especially in areas with a growing demand for office space, retail, or industrial facilities.

Expenses related to managing and maintaining commercial properties can be tax-deductible depending on the location of the property and current tax regulations. Commercial leases can go up as written in any agreement, where the property and rent increase with inflation, which adds to investment value.

Commercial real estate offers a way to diversify a portfolio, providing a way to ward off affects of market volatility, especially if the investor has interests in several investment market types.


Over time, as tenants pay rent, investors build equity in the property. The combination of tenant payments and property appreciation contributes to equity growth, which can be tapped into through refinancing.

Commercial real estate can be financed with a relatively small down payment, allowing investors to use leverage to purchase larger properties with less up front capital. If the property appreciates, the investor can benefit from the full increase in value while only investing a portion of the capital.

As a commercial property owner, you have more control over the investment compared to other asset types. You can make decisions about property management, improvements, and lease structures to maximize value.

In many commercial leases, tenants are responsible for additional costs, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance (known as "triple net" or NNN leases). This reduces the property owner's financial burden and can help improve cash flow.

Commercial real estate offers opportunities for scaling up investments. You can expand your portfolio by acquiring more properties, or you could diversify into different types of commercial real estate (retail, industrial, office, etc.) to reduce risk.

While there are many advantages to buying commercial real estate, it's also important to consider the potential risks, such as market fluctuations, property management challenges, and the liquidity of the asset. If you're new to the commercial real estate market, it might be helpful to consult with a real estate advisor or broker to get a better understanding of what type of commercial property might best fit your financial goals and risk tolerance.