Data Centers in Cameroon

Cameroon – Gateway to Central African Digital Growth

Cameroon serves as the essential digital bridge for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, providing critical subsea access to landlocked neighbors. It is a strategic destination for operators requiring low-cost power and a distribution point for a market of fifty million consumers.

Cameroon: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Cameroon is a developing hub for regional traffic, using its coastal geography to bridge international capacity with inland markets across Central Africa.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: 10–15 carriers, as of September 2025. The landscape includes state-run infrastructure alongside private operators like MTN and Orange, ensuring competitive backhaul options for regional distribution.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: 0, enabling access to 0 cloud regions, as of September 2025. Establishing direct connections to AWS or Microsoft Azure requires private circuits to the nearest hub in Lagos or regional partner nodes.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The Cameroon Internet Exchange (CAMIX) supports local peering in Douala and Yaoundé, keeping domestic traffic within national borders to reduce latency and transit costs.

Bare Metal: Infrastructure needs are met through regional distribution and local edge partnerships. Providers such as OVHcloud and Latitude.sh often support this market through these channels, as of September 2025.

Power Analysis

Energy costs are a primary financial driver for data center operations in this geography, providing a distinct advantage over neighboring markets.

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity is $0.07/kWh, as of December 2024. This pricing offers a significant competitive edge for power-intensive compute operations.

Power Grid Reliability: The energy mix is approximately 63% renewable, as of December 2024, with a heavy reliance on hydroelectric sources. Most facilities utilize on-site generation to ensure uptime and manage local utility fluctuations.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Locating infrastructure in Cameroon provides a direct link to the commercial engines of the CEMAC region.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Facilities are concentrated in Douala, the commercial hub and largest port, and Yaoundé, the administrative capital. These locations provide low-latency access to the banking, energy, and government sectors.

Regional Market Reach: Cameroon acts as the primary transit point for data reaching Chad and the Central African Republic. This makes it a logical choice for regional content delivery and disaster recovery for landlocked economies.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: While no specific data center tax incentives exist, the low cost of electricity is the primary financial benefit. This reduces long-term operational overhead for power-intensive deployments.

Natural Disaster Risk

Cameroon maintains a High (6.8/10) risk profile, as of September 2025. Site selection must prioritize water management and labor resilience.

Epidemic (7.6): The most significant risk factor affecting labor availability and site access protocols, as of September 2025.

River Flood (6.7): A material concern in Douala and northern regions; requires elevated equipment housing and site hardening.

Drought (3.9): Influences hydroelectric output during dry seasons, potentially affecting the local energy mix.

Coastal Flood (2.6): A regional risk factor specifically for facilities located near the Port of Douala.

Earthquake (0.1): Seismic risk is negligible for structural builds, as of September 2025.