Any natural person or corporate body shall be free to undertake a commercial activity in Cameroon subject to the observance of the laws and regulations in force.
However, a foreigner wishing to carry out a commercial activity in Cameroon must obtain a prior approval issued by the competent authority.
The terms and conditions for obtaining the approval referred to above shall be laid down by regulation.
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the following persons may undertake commercial activities without prior approval:
– Any natural person from a country with which Cameroon has signed an agreement assimilating the nationals of each other’s country as regards the practice of commercial activities;
– Any commercial undertaking with foreign capital whose head office is in Cameroon and 51% at least of whose share capital is effectively owned, directly or indirectly, by natural persons of Cameroonian nationality.
– Any commercial undertaking established in an economic zone.
– Any foreign commercial undertaking wishing to establish in Cameroon for the purpose of carrying out a commercial activity must set up a company with head office in Cameroon.
– Any foreign natural person or corporate body regularly carrying out commercial activities in Cameroon shall enjoy the same rights as those granted to foreigners and especially ta Cameroonians in the same profession in the country of nationality of the foreign natural person or corporate body.
Notwithstanding the provisions above, any natural person or corporate body may open a branch, agency or liaison office, as provided for by the regulations in force.
Within two (2) years following its creation, the branch owned by a foreign natural person or corporate body shall be attached to a company in existence or to be created, incorporated under Cameroonian law.
Any commercial undertaking duly established in Cameroon shall be entitled to all the guarantees granted in this respect by the law.
Unless otherwise provided by law, any natural person or corporate body carrying out a commercial activity in Cameroon shall, within the first month of operation of his or her business or incorporation, as applicable, apply to the Registry of the competent court for registration in the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register, as provided for by the Uniform Act relating to General Commercial Law.
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