Best Places to Invest in Real Estate in Cameroon in 2026

Introduction

Cameroon’s real estate market enters 2026 with measurable momentum rather than speculative enthusiasm. The total addressable market value is estimated to be between USD 12.5–14.2 billion, with an annual transaction volume ranging from 48,000 - 55,000 property deals, concentrated heavily in Yaoundé and Douala. Growth hasn’t been uniform. Residential assets expanded faster than commercial between 2020–2023, but that balance is shifting again.

Overview of the Cameroon Real Estate Market in 2026

Urbanization now stands near 56.5%, accelerating toward Yaoundé, Douala, and port-adjacent corridors. Housing demand remains structurally undersupplied. The national housing deficit exceeds 2.5 million units, a figure that hasn’t materially improved despite private development activity. That imbalance keeps baseline demand intact even when macro conditions soften.

Price behavior tells a more nuanced story. Between 2020 and 2025, national property values compounded at 8–11% annually, depending on asset type and geography. Yaoundé’s premium districts outperformed.

Looking far, the Cameroon real estate forecast for 2026 considers infrastructure-linked growth rather than a risky market. Inventory remains thin. Buyer demographics skew younger. Capital -- local and foreign -- continues to concentrate where execution risk is lowest. Real estate investment in Cameroon isn’t overheated. It’s uneven, data-driven, and increasingly segmented.

Why Cameroon Is an Emerging Real Estate Investment Destination

Cameroon doesn’t compete with Lagos or Accra on velocity. It competes on risk-adjusted yield stability. That distinction matters. GDP growth projections for 2026 cluster between 4.2–4.8%, supported by agriculture, logistics, and energy rather than consumer credit expansion. That limits boom-bust exposure.

FDI flows have diversified. Chinese infrastructure capital remains dominant, but UAE logistics funds and South African commercial operators have increased exposure since 2023. Diaspora capital -- often underestimated -- accounts for an estimated 18–22% of residential purchases in Yaoundé and Douala combined.

Demographics do the heavy lifting. Median age sits near 18–19 years. Urban middle-class households are expanding at 20–25% CAGR, particularly in administrative and port-linked employment zones. 

Policy matters too. Law No. 80-21 continues to permit foreign ownership with defined safeguards. Regulatory stability since 2019 has reduced execution uncertainty. That’s why emerging real estate markets Cameroon analysts track increasingly include Cameroon alongside Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

Cameroon real estate hotspots 2026 aren’t driven by hype. They’re driven by infrastructure, population gravity, and yield math. That combination keeps downside contained.

Yaoundé Real Estate Investment Hotspots in 2026

→ Central Business District & Bastos Area

The Yaoundé property market remains anchored in Bastos and the Central Business District. Pricing reflects that reality. Residential assets trade between €2,200–3,500 per sq m. Commercial properties push €3,000–4,500 per sq m.

Tenant profiles skew institutional -- embassies, multinationals, government agencies. Residential yields average 8–10%, while commercial leases generate 10–12%, supported by longer lease tenures. Appreciation has historically tracked 10–12% annually. For 2026, forecasts narrow slightly to 10–11% as pricing matures.

Infrastructure upgrades -- road resurfacing, utility reliability -- reduce vacancy risk. Bastos remains a capital-preservation zone with predictable cash flow rather than explosive upside.

→ Plateau & Emerging Central Zones

Plateau and adjacent districts sit one tier below Bastos. Pricing ranges €1,400–2,200 per sq m. Demand comes from senior civil servants, professionals, and NGO staff.

Yields average 7–9%. Appreciation trends hover near 9–10%, supported by office spillover and residential densification. Development pipelines include mid-scale commercial centers rather than luxury towers.

Risk here is lower than peripheral zones, but upside is capped by land availability constraints.

→ Peripheral Growth Zones (Tsinga, Yaoundé 6)

Peripheral Yaoundé zones operate on a different clock. Prices range €600–1,200 per sq m, often 40–50% below CBD levels. Rental yields reach 9–11%, driven by affordability rather than prestige.

Infrastructure is the catalyst. Road projects and public facilities typically precede appreciation by 18–36 months. Liquidity is thinner. Patience isn’t optional.

Douala Property Investment Opportunities and Growth Areas

→ Bonanjo & Waterfront Premium Market

Douala real estate investment activity concentrates in Bonanjo. Pricing reached €2,400–3,800 per sq m in 2025, with 8–10% growth projected for 2026. Over 60% of buyers are foreign or diaspora-linked.

Residential yields sit near 8–10%. Appreciation runs higher -- 11–14% annually, the strongest in the country. Liquidity is unmatched. Assets resell faster here than anywhere else.

Foreign currency pricing mitigates FX risk. That’s not trivial.

→ Akwa & Bali Commercial-Residential Blend

Akwa and Bali combine residential and commercial demand. Prices range €1,600–2,400 per sq m. Mixed-use properties generate 9–12% yields, supported by port-related employment.

Port expansion is a double-edged sword. Kribi may divert some logistics activity long term. Monitoring demand migration is essential.

→ Emerging Douala Suburbs (Bonasama, Logbessou)

Suburban Douala trades patience for yield. Pricing sits €800–1,400 per sq m. Yields reach 10–13%. Appreciation lags premium zones by 24–48 months.

Liquidity remains the primary risk.

Emerging Cities in Cameroon for Real Estate Investment

→ Kribi – Logistics & Port-Driven Growth

Kribi’s Deep Sea Port reshapes regional economics. Property pricing remains low -- €400–800 per sq m. Yield potential reaches 12–15%, among the highest nationally.

Port phases complete through 2025, 2027, and 2029. Timing matters. Delays compress returns.

→ Limbe – Beach & Luxury Residential

Limbe trades yield for lifestyle. Pricing ranges €1,200–2,200 per sq m. Yields average 8–10%. Appreciation trends track 8–10%, supported by climate advantages and expatriate demand.

→ Bafoussam – Elevation & Agritourism Growth

Bafoussam sits at 1,500m elevation. Pricing remains €400–800 per sq m. Yields hover 7–9%. Growth depends on tourism infrastructure and road connectivity.

These are some of the fastest growing cities in Cameroon, but growth profiles go against each other sharply.

Residential vs Commercial Property Investment in Cameroon

→ Residential Property Analysis

Residential dominates by volume. Yields range 7–11%. Appreciation runs 8–12%, depending on zone.

Entry points remain accessible. Tenant stability is higher in CBD areas. Management intensity is moderate.

→ Commercial Property Analysis

Commercial assets deliver 10–14% yields. Lease terms extend 3–5 years. Entry costs are higher -- often €50,000–200,000.

Concentration risk exists. Tenant quality matters.

The best places to invest in real estate in Cameroon often combine both segments for balance.

Rental Yield and Property Appreciation Trends in Cameroon

Yaoundé CBD yields 8–10% with 10–11% appreciation. Douala Bonanjo yields 8–10% with 11–14% appreciation. Emerging cities push yields to 10–15%, with appreciation between 8–12%.

Five-year national appreciation CAGR sits near 10.2%. Yield compression is visible in premium zones -- 50–75 basis points annually. Secondary markets show yield expansion.

Example math clarifies this. A €50,000 property generating €420/month nets 7.5–8.5% after costs. Five-year appreciation of 50% pushes total returns toward 65–70%.

That’s the core of real estate opportunities Cameroon 2026 investors track.

Infrastructure Development and Its Impact on Property Values

Infrastructure timing drives returns. Kribi Port leads. Road corridors follow. Utility reliability reduces risk premiums by 5–10%, indirectly boosting appreciation 2–3% annually.

Buy 18–24 months before completion. Earlier entry increases upside. Delays test patience.

Infrastructure Development and Its Impact on Property Values isn’t theoretical here. It’s observable.

Legal and Regulatory Factors for Real Estate Investment in Cameroon

Law No. 80-21 permits foreign ownership. Registration through MINDCAF takes 6–12 months. Taxes remain modest -- 5–7% purchase fees, 0.1–0.2% annual property tax.

Rental income faces 15–20% withholding. Capital gains tax sits near 15% unless exemptions apply.

Regulatory stability has held since 2019. Execution risk lies in documentation, not law.

Future Outlook of Real Estate Investment in Cameroon in 2026

The base case dominates. 8–11% appreciation, 9–11% yields. Optimistic scenarios push higher. Risk scenarios compress growth but preserve income.

Top cities for property investment Cameroon will continue to diverge by strategy. Premium zones protect capital. Emerging zones amplify returns.

The bottom line: real estate & property investment location Cameroon in 2026 rewards patience, timing, and location discipline -- not speculation.