CAMEROON: New Classification of Public Enterprises (2022-2024 Performance Period)

As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance governance and performance management within the state-owned sector, the Minister of Finance has signed Order No. 00001-5/MINFI of August 13, 2026.

This decree formally classifies Public Enterprises in Cameroon by category, based on their performance for the fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The classification directly influences the remuneration, allowances, and benefits of their directors, in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 2019/321 of June 19, 2019.

Here is the breakdown of the new classification:

🏆 First Category Enterprises (Top Tier)
The most strategic and high-performing entities:

• Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL)
• Compagnie Camerounaise de l’Aluminium (ALUCAM)
• Société Camerounaise d’Electricité (SOCADEL)
• Port Autonome de Douala (PAD)
• Société de Développement du Coton du Cameroun (SODECOTON)
• Société Nationale de Raffinage (SONARA)
• Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH)

🥈 Second Category

• Société Nationale de Transport d’Electricité (SONATREL)

🥉 Third Category

• Cameroon Airlines Corporation (CAMAIR-Co)
• Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC)
• Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER)
• Electricity Development Corporation (EDC)
• Les Aéroports du Cameroun (ADC)
• Port Autonome de Kribi (PAK)
• Société Camerounaise des Dépôts Pétroliers (SCDP)

📋 Fourth Category

• Conseil Nationale des Chargeurs du Cameroun (CNCC)
• Laboratoire National du Génie Civil (LABOGENIE)
• Société de Presse et d’Editions du Cameroun (SOPECAM)

📌 Fifth Category
A broad range of entities including (but not limited to):

• Cameroon Postal Services (CAMPOST)
• Société Nationale des Mines (SONAMINES)
• Société Immobilière du Cameroun (SIC)
• Chantier Naval et Industriel du Cameroun (CNIC)
• Agence Nationale d’Appui au Développement Forestier (ANAFOR)
• Pamol Plantations Plc (PPPlc)
• Mission d’Aménagement et de Gestion des Zones Industrielles (MAGZI)
• Société Nationale d’Investissement (SNI)
• And many more.

🏦 Special Regime (Financial Sector)
The Crédit Foncier du Cameroun (CFC) and the Société de Recouvrement des Créances du Cameroun (SRC) will continue to be governed by the specific compensation regulations applicable to the banking sector, per CEMAC community standards.

📅 Implementation & Timeline
This order takes effect as of January 1, 2026, and will be updated after three (3) years, in line with current regulations.

💡 Analysis & Outlook:
This classification is a key indicator of the government’s focus on aligning executive compensation with actual performance metrics and strategic importance. By categorizing enterprises, the state aims to improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the management of public resources.

This move signals a new chapter for Cameroon’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs), where performance is the benchmark.