Cameroon
Strong Potential, Strategic Entry Point
Solar Index Overall
Cameroon offers immense solar business potential — especially in off-grid and B2B markets — but entrepreneurs face bureaucratic friction, financing hurdles, and fragmented policy implementation. For resilient founders with local knowledge, the risk-adjusted upside is significant.
Cameroonian Solar Market
Key Insights
Solar Potential
Cameroon boasts solid solar irradiance, especially in the Far North, East, and Adamawa regions (up to 5.5 kWh/m²/day). Rural demand for solar kits, mini-grids, and water-pumping solutions is large and growing.
Regulatory Clarity
Licensing is slow, non-transparent, and often decentralized. While energy reforms exist on paper, execution depends heavily on connections and navigating local and national layers. Permits and land acquisition take time — entrepreneurs must plan for delays.
Financing Access
Few local banks fund solar startups. Entrepreneurs rely on personal funds, diaspora investors, or NGO-backed grants. Development finance exists but often requires heavy paperwork and long waiting times.
Infrastructure & Grid
Urban grids are overstretched and often unreliable. Rural areas are largely unconnected, presenting a clear case for off-grid solar. However, logistics can be costly due to poor roads and customs delays on imported components.
Human Capital
Cameroon has a well-educated youth population and rising interest in green tech. Tech hubs in Douala and Yaoundé are growing. However, technical training in solar installation and maintenance is still limited — creating both a challenge and opportunity.
Market Maturity
Informal vendors and small resellers dominate the current market. While fragmented, this makes entry easier for entrepreneurs who build distribution networks using local partners and community trust.
GTM Feasibility
Mobile money (e.g., MTN Mobile Money) is widely used, especially in urban and peri-urban areas. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and call-center marketing are effective go-to-market channels.
ESG / Impact
Over 65% of rural populations live without access to electricity. Solar has transformative potential in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture — providing both impact and visibility to entrepreneurs.
Index Score
Top 3 Opportunities:
- Mini-Grids & Solar Home Systems for rural electrification
- B2B Rooftop Solar for urban SMEs and manufacturing hubs
- Agri-Solar Solutions to power irrigation, cold storage, and processing
Cameroon
Diving into the Numbers
Cameroon’s 2035 goal of renewable energy capacity
kWh/kWp
The Expected Photovoltaic Power Output in the country.
Of rural Cameroonians lack access to electricity. Highlighting major opportunity for decentralized solar solutions