Location: Cameroon is situated in Central Africa, bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.
Official Languages: The country has two official languages, English and French, reflecting its colonial history.
Population and Cultural Diversity: Home to over 25 million people, Cameroon is known for its cultural richness, with 250+ ethnic groups and a vast array of languages spoken.
Mount Cameroon: Located in the Southwest region, it is the highest mountain in West Africa at 4,040 meters (13,250 feet).
Unique Wildlife: Cameroon hosts diverse wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and several species of antelope.
Economy: A significant producer of coffee, cocoa, and oil, Cameroon has a diversified economy that spans agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services.
Climate: Cameroon has a tropical climate with two seasons—rainy (April to October) and dry (November to March).
National Sport: Football (soccer) is incredibly popular, with the national team participating in seven FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Challenges in Cameroon…
Climate Change & Environmental Degradation: Issues like deforestation and desertification are threatening biodiversity. Cameroon has lost nearly half its forest cover in recent decades. (Source: World Wildlife Fund)
Limited Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Around 64% of the population has access to improved water sources, impacting health and contributing to the spread of water-borne diseases. (Source: UNICEF)
Poverty: With 37% of the population living below the poverty line, rural areas especially rely on subsistence farming. (Source: World Bank)
Healthcare Access: Many rural residents must travel long distances for medical care, and there is a shortage of healthcare workers and supplies. (Source: Human Rights Watch)
Gender Inequality: Discrimination limits women’s access to education, healthcare, and employment. Cameroon ranks 150th on the UN’s Gender Inequality Index. (Source: UNDP Gender Inequality Index)
Maternal and Child Mortality: Cameroon has a high maternal mortality rate of 596 deaths per 100,000 live births, largely due to poor healthcare access. (Source: UNICEF)
Infrastructure and Electricity: Approximately 50% of the population has access to electricity, with frequent outages in many areas. (Source: ESI Africa)
Limited ICT Access: Internet penetration is relatively low, with 48% mobile penetration and 6.2% fixed broadband access as of 2020. Only 14.5% of households have internet access. (Source: ITU)
Education Challenges: The literacy rate is 77%, and school dropout rates are high, particularly among girls and children in rural areas. (Source: UNICEF)
Food Insecurity and Malnutrition: More than 1 in 3 children under 5 are stunted due to malnutrition, especially in rural regions. (Source: World Food Programme)
Political Instability: Ongoing conflict, especially in English-speaking areas, has displaced many and disrupted essential services. (Source: Human Rights Watch)
