Cameroon, often called “Africa in miniature,” is a captivating country boasting a diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, and a growing pool of talented professionals.
From the bustling cities of Douala and Yaoundé to the picturesque beaches of Kribi, Cameroon offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, making it an ideal choice for companies seeking to hire employees and expand their global team.
Key takeaways:
- Cameroon is an emerging hub for remote talent, offering a diverse pool of bilingual workers and skilled professionals across several industries.
- The country has received generous investments from UNESCO and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to enhance the quality of education.
- Hiring remote talent from Cameroon can significantly reduce labor costs while maintaining high-quality output.
Advantages of Hiring in Cameroon
UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, announced a $44.5 million investment for education in Cameroon during a 2024 visit. The funds will modernize school curricula and train over 28,000 education professionals.
Cameroon’s linguistic diversity, with both English and French as official languages, provides an opportunity for companies seeking bilingual remote employees.
Key stats include:
- Languages: English, French
- Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Capital City: Yaounde
- Population: 29 Million
- Cost of Living Rank: 72nd
Transformative Investments Revolutionizing Cameroon
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has recently provided Cameroon with a substantial financial boost of $2.5 billion, which will fund 26 key projects to enhance infrastructure and governance.
This investment highlights Cameroon’s potential as a leading tech hub in the region, supported by its relatively advanced digital infrastructure compared to neighboring countries.
The top remote job sectors in Cameroon include:
- Technology
- Customer Service
- Data Analytics
- Administrative Support
Employment Laws: Hiring Compliantly in Cameroon
Employment Contracts
In Cameroon, the Labor Code recognizes two main types of contracts: the Contract of Indefinite Duration (CDI), which offers job security with no predefined end date, and the Contract of Specified Duration (CDD), which has a specific termination date.
Employment contracts can be established verbally or in writing, with specific conditions requiring a written format, including fixed-term contracts exceeding three months or requiring employee relocation. In those cases, the contract must be in writing and submitted to the local Labor Inspector.
Working Hours & Pay
The maximum work week for non-agricultural jobs is 40 hours; any overtime is capped at 20 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day.
As of February 2024, the national minimum wage in Cameroon is XAF 43,969 per month, approximately USD 75.18.
While not mandatory, Cameroonian employees typically receive 13-month pay equivalent to one month’s salary.
Probation Periods
The standard probation period in Cameroon is six months, which can be extended to eight months for managerial positions. A probation period may be renewed once, but only with the employee’s written consent before the initial period ends.
Employer Taxes
Employers must contribute approximately 15.45% of an employee’s salary towards various payroll taxes and social security funds. This includes:
- 7% for family benefits
- 4.2% for pension insurance
- 1.75% for occupational accident insurance
- 1.50% to the National House Loan Fund
- 1% to the National Employment Fund
Termination Process & Severance Pay
In Cameroon, the termination process for employment contracts requires employers to provide a valid reason, including gross misconduct, mutual agreement, layoffs, or constructive dismissal.
The notice period for indefinite-term contract termination varies from 30 to 90 days and is based on the length of service. For fixed-term contracts, early termination is only permissible for specific reasons outlined in the contract.
Employees with at least two years of continuous service are entitled to severance pay, calculated as a percentage of their monthly salary and based on years of service.
Severance pay starts at 20% for the first five years and maxes out at 40% after 21 years of continuous employment with the same company.
Paid Leave Laws in Cameroon
Vacation and Holiday
Full-time employees earn annual leave at a rate of 1.5 days for each month of service, totaling approximately 18 days of paid vacation leave per year.
Additionally, Cameroonian workers are entitled to 10 paid national public holidays as time off, which include New Year’s Day, Labor Day, and Christmas.
Sick Leave
Employees are eligible for up to six months of extended sick leave and must provide certification from a medical professional documenting the illness.
Maternity Leave
Female employees receive 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which begins four weeks before the expected delivery date. Leave can be extended by up to six weeks if the mother experiences a certified illness.
Paternity Leave
Working fathers are allowed to take three days of paid leave for the birth of their child.
Emerging Possibilities for Digital Nomads in Cameroon
Cameroon is becoming an increasingly attractive choice for digital nomads and self-employed expats due to its low cost of living and vibrant culture. Major cities like Douala and Yaoundé are home to a diverse expat community — ideal for freelancers.
Although there is no specific digital nomad visa, short-stay options like tourist visas allow foreigners to stay up to 90 days.
How to Pay Remote Workers in Cameroon
There are multiple options for paying remote workers in Cameroon.
- Bank transfers allow direct transfers between accounts. However, transfers may take several days to process, and shifting currency conversion rates can be costly for employers and employees.
- PayPal is a popular digital payment platform for international transactions, but it may have higher fees and withdrawal limitations in Cameroon.
- Wise offers low fees and favorable exchange rates for sending money directly to bank accounts. However, it’s not available in every country, so employers and employees should confirm in advance that Wise can be used to make payments in Cameroon.
- Employers can pay remote Cameroonian employees in cryptocurrency, enabling faster transactions. However, challenges include regulatory uncertainty, tax complexities, and the potential volatility of the currency’s value.
A better global payroll option is partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR), which specializes in managing all payroll responsibilities on behalf of employers, ensuring that employees receive their salaries promptly and in their preferred currencies.
Hire in Cameroon with Remofirst
Remofirst navigates the complexities of local labor laws and regulations, ensuring companies can compliantly employ talent in over 180 countries to expand their global workforce.
Working with an EOR simplifies the global hiring process and allows organizations to tap into diverse talent pools without the burden of establishing a local entity.
Book a demo with Remofirst today.
