Cameroon’s higher taxes on raw timber exports contributed to a CFA7.9 billion decline in customs revenue from the forestry sector in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Export duties collected from timber fell by 21.3 per cent compared with the previous year, even as the country’s total customs revenue increased by CFA96.6 billion to CFA1.153 trillion.
The decline followed the government’s decision to increase export duties on raw logs and similar products from 60 per cent to 75 per cent of their free-on-board value under the 2024 Finance Law.
The policy is designed to discourage exports of unprocessed timber and encourage companies to process more wood within Cameroon. However, the higher tax has reduced export volumes and narrowed the taxable base, resulting in lower revenue despite the increased duty rate.
Cameroon exported 349,611 cubic metres of raw logs in 2025, down 26.5 per cent from 475,401 cubic metres in 2024. The value of log exports also declined by 17.7 per cent to CFA39.02 billion.
Government officials attributed the reduction to both stricter export policies and weaker international demand for timber products.
Processed wood exports have not yet grown enough to compensate for the decline in raw logs. Sawn timber exports fell by 14.9 per cent to 762,007 cubic metres, while their value dropped by CFA22.62 billion to CFA157.67 billion.
Overall, Cameroon’s exports of wood and wood products generated CFA217.63 billion in 2025, down 12.8 per cent from CFA249.70 billion in the previous year.
Some higher-value segments recorded growth. Exports of plywood, veneered wood and laminated products increased in both volume and value, showing limited progress towards more advanced domestic wood processing.
Cameroon is preparing for a regional ban on raw log exports scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2028. The government plans to encourage investment in advanced processing equipment and increase the use of locally produced furniture in public procurement.
The strategy aims to create jobs, attract industrial investment and retain more value from the forestry sector within Cameroon. It could also help local producers access new opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
However, the latest figures show that the transition is creating short-term financial pressure. Raw log exports and customs revenue have fallen, while growth in processed timber products remains insufficient to close the gap.
The long-term success of the policy will depend on whether Cameroon can increase domestic timber processing, create new industrial jobs and generate additional tax revenue from higher-value wood products.
