The Potential of the Construction Materials Market in Cameroon

Most Cameroonians still participate in the tradition of building their own homes using readily-available local material. However, urbanization is rapidly changing the way they live and how they acquire construction material.

According to the World Bank, 56 percent of Cameroon’s population live in its cities, making it one of the most urbanized countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Demand for low-cost houses has increased as more people move to cities to work or seek an education, leading to a boom in the construction sector. For private and corporate constructors, they usually source sand, wood, and stone from local contractors in rural and forest areas.

Cimencam has been selling cement to Cameroonians for over fifty years, and now manufactures ready to use concrete. The arrival of Dangote Cement has given Cameroonian builders options to choose from. Both cement manufacturers also take advantage of Cameroon’s location to export its products to neighboring Central African countries. 

The biggest distributor of construction materials in Cameroon is the Fokou Group with over 30 stores and five supermarkets all over Cameroon. They sell everything from home appliances, furniture, office stationery, construction materials, tiles, sanitary equipment, and electrical equipment. Fokou Group also provides maintenance. They are supplemented by small and medium-sized stores that sell both new and second-hand materials. The other major player in the construction market is Alucam, the primary producer of zinc sheets for roofing.

Electrical equipment which often requires experts to buy and install and is mostly imported, leaving a considerable gap for both Cameroonian and foreign manufacturers to fill. The underground market sells second-hand electrical equipment from big names like GE and Schneider. However, more people are turning to brand new products as they learn about low-cost alternatives.

Despite these suppliers, there’s potential for growth in the construction market. There’s also an opportunity for technicians, architects, and engineers to promote themselves to a population that manages their projects. This is the norm in rural areas where the projects are smaller and require less material and expertise.

The standard mud brick or wood house still works for many builders in these areas who can easily make sun-dried bricks or plane wood for construction. However, they still need a need for construction equipment to plane wood, make better and stronger bricks, and make the whole process easier for constructors. 

Major infrastructural projects like roads, hospitals, stadiums, and public buildings are starting every day, and with them more opportunities for those in the construction business or newcomers seeking entry. And this is the perfect opportunity for outside companies to take advantage of, on an international trade platform like Export Portal. Construction materials are at a high demand in Cameroon, and Export Portal allows sellers to come into contact with buyers to meet this demand. For access to our network of buyers and sellers from all over the world, register today!