Cameroon’s wood processing industry is vital to its economy, serving as a major exporter of timber and wood products. This diverse sector includes logging, sawmilling, wood veneer, and wood carving, catering to both domestic and international markets. With ample forest cover and a favorable location along the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon is an attractive hub for wood processing and global exports. Embracing technology and sustainability will enhance the industry’s reputation and spark growth. Investment opportunities exist throughout the value chain, from sustainable forestry management to furniture production. Partnerships can be formed for sustainable logging and state-of-the-art sawmills, while ventures in value-added wood products are also viable. Collaboration opportunities arise from the growing demand for certified sustainable wood products, involving certification bodies and quality assurance providers. The development of modern infrastructure, including processing facilities and transportation networks, creates investment avenues in logistics and support services. Eco-tourism and sustainable development initiatives open doors for ecologically conscious ventures like eco-lodges and nature-based experiences. The future of Cameroon’s wood processing industry looks promising with a focus on value addition, diversification, and the integration of digital technologies and automation for increased efficiency and global competitiveness. Sustainability practices and certifications will attract environmentally conscious consumers and businesses. Research and development opportunities, such as engineered wood products and sustainable packaging, invite collaboration with academic and research institutions, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange within the industry.
Cite this paper
Ngaba, M. J. Y. , Benenguegne, M. C. , Moumbock, E. M. A. and Nyemeck, M. P. B. (2024). Exploring the Potential Opportunities of the Wood Processing Industry in Cameroon. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e1090. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1111090.
Sosale, S. and Majgaard, K. (2016) Fostering Skills in Cameroon: Inclusive Workforce Development, Competitiveness, and Growth. World Bank, Washington DC.
https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0762-6
Mboumboue, E. and Njomo, D. (2018) Biomass Resources Assessment and Bioenergy Generation for a Clean and Sustainable Development in Cameroon. Biomass and Bioenergy, 118, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.08.002
Nzotcha, U. and Kenfack, J. (2019) Contribution of the Wood-Processing Industry for Sustainable Power Generation: Viability of Biomass-Fuelled Cogeneration in Sub-Saharan Africa. Biomass and Bioenergy, 120, 324-331.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2018.11.015
Ngaba, M.J.Y., Michel-Cédric, Y.E., Benenguegne, M.C., Kobla, A.S. and Simon, N.N. (2023) Challenges of Wood Transformation Industry in Cameroon: A Holistic Overview. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e10855.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110855
Cerutti, P.O., Nasi, R. and Tacconi, L. (2008) Sustainable Forest Management in Cameroon Needs More than Approved Forest Management Plans. Ecology and Society, 13, Article 36. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-02591-130236
Ferdinand, M., Martin, M., Patrick, K.M., Forbuzie, T.P. and Junior, M.Y.N. (2021) Contribution à l’évaluation de la mise en oeuvre de l’APV-FLEGT au Cameroun. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 32, 330-345.
Defo, L. (2023) Six Years of Industrial Logging in Ngoyla (East-Cameroon): What Have Been the Outcomes for Local Populations? International Forestry Review, 25, 91-112. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554823836902653
Ngaba, M.J.Y. (2011) Description d’une chaine de transformation de bois en milieu tropical: Cas de la Société Nouvelle de Contreplaqué du Cameroun (SN COCAM). Université de Dschang, Researchgate.
Ngaba, M.J.Y. (2012) Projet de mise en place d’un système de tracabilité à la STBK (Société de Transformation du Bois de la Kadey). Université de Dschang, Researchgate.
Cerbu, G., Chevignon, C., Groutel, E., Lescuyer, G., Essiane Mendoula, E., Tsanga, R., Peroches, A., et al. (2016) Central Africa Congo Basin Timber: Case Studies of Urban Wood Products Markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. World Bank, Washington DC.
Bernard Tabih, K. (2021) The Influence of Road Transport Network in the Marketing of Agricultural Products in the Makenene Subdivision, Cameroon.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4150815
Veeyee, K.F., Bup, N.D., Boldor, D. and Elambo, N.G. (2021) Potentials of Sustainable Electricity Production from Sawdust by Small-Scale Wood Transformation Units: A Case Study in Cameroon. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 12, 101-114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-020-00362-0
Adom, P.K. (2016) The Transition between Energy Efficient and Energy Inefficient States in Cameroon. Energy Economics, 54, 248-262.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2015.11.025
Flora, F.M.I., Donatien, N., Donatien, N., Tchinda, R. and Hamandjoda, O. (2019) Impact of Sustainable Electricity for Cameroonian Population through Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 7, 11-51.
https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2019.79002
Etoundi, R.A., Onana, F.S.M., Olle, G.D.O. and Eteme, A.A. (2016) Development of the Digital Economy in Cameroon: Challenges and Perspectives. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 76, 1-24.
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2016.tb00558.x
Tissari, J., Taplah, A. and Kamara, E.S. (2008) World Bank Diagnostic Trade Integration Study: Wood Industry Component.
https://www.fao.org/forestry/23514-0844c34823f11a36c65f6587345dc2b1d.pdf
Khan, M.N., Huang, J., Li, D., Daba, N.A., Han, T., Du, J., Haseeb, A., et al. (2022) Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Red Acidic Soil by Using Magnesium-Modified wheat Straw Biochar. Environmental Research, 203, Article ID: 111879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111879
Danwe, R., Bindzi, I. and Meva’a, L. (2012) Optimization of Sawing in Wood Transformation Primary Industries. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 5, 115-132. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.374
Kenfack, S.M.W. (2021) North-South Collaboration for a Manufacturing Extension Development Program: Case of Secondary Wood Manufacturing Industries in Indiana and Cameroon. Master’s Thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette.
Tingum, E.N. and Ofeh, M.A. (2017) Technical Efficiency of Manufacturing Firms in Cameroon: Sources and Determinants. International Journal of Financial Research, 8, 172-186. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijfr.v8n3p172
Asumadu, K. (2004) Development of Wood-Based Industries in Sub-Saharan Africa: Asumadu & Associates.
https://afforum.org/oldaff/sites/default/files/English/English_126.pdf
Njimanted, G.F. and Aquilas, N.A. (2015) The Impact of Timber Exports on Economic Growth in Cameroon: An Econometric Investigation. Asian Journal of Economic Modelling, 3, 46-60. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.8/2015.3.3/8.3.46.60
Söderling, L. (1999) Structural Policies for International Competitiveness in Manufacturing: The Case of Cameroon. OECD Development Centre Working Paper No. 146. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.191148
Duguma, B., Gockowski, J. and Bakala, J. (2001) Smallholder Cacao (Theobroma cacao Linn.) Cultivation in Agroforestry Systems of West and Central Africa: cHallenges and Opportunities. Agroforestry Systems, 51, 177-188.
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010747224249
Lesníková, P. and Kánová, M. (2020) Sustainable Development Goal Industry and Innovation: Challenge for Wood-Processing Industry in Slovakia. Proceedings of Scientific Papers, 165.
Hurmekoski, E., Jonsson, R., Korhonen, J.E., Jänis, J., Mäkinen, M., Leskinen, P. and Hetemäki, L. (2018) Diversification of the Forest Industries: Role of New Wood-Based Products. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 48, 1417-1432.
https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2018-0116
Tieguhong, J.C., Kowero, G. and Mandiefe, S.P. (2019) Promoting African Integration through Trade in Forest Products: Cameroon’s Perspective. African Journal of Rural Development, 4, 155-171.
Kimbu, A.N. (2010) Sustainable Tourism Development Management in Central Africa: A Case Study of the Tourism Industry in Cameroon.
https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/185/1/198177_AN%20Kimbu.pdf
Sharma, S., Sethi, G.R., Gupta, U. and Chaudhury, R.R. (2015) Barriers and Facilitators to Development of Standard Treatment Guidelines in India. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, 4, 86-91.
https://doi.org/10.4103/2224-3151.206626
Ngaba, J. (2020) Elvis Mouyakan A Moumbock Société R. Pallisco.
https://www.academia.edu/43756700/Elvis_Mouyakan_A_Moumbock_Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_R_Pallisco
Mvondo, S.A. (2009) State Failure and Governance in Vulnerable States: An Assessment of Forest Law Compliance and Enforcement in Cameroon. Africa Today, 55, 85-102. https://doi.org/10.2979/AFT.2009.55.3.84
Sieböck, G. (2002) A Political, Legal and Economic Framework for Sustainable Forest Management in Cameroon: Concerted Initiatives to Save the Rainforests. Master’s Thesis, Lund University, Lund.
https://www.lumes.lu.se/sites/lumes.lu.se/files/sieboeck_gregor.pdf
Alemagi, D., Hajjar, R., David, S. and Kozak, R.A. (2012) Benefits and Barriers to Certification of Community-Based Forest Operations in Cameroon: An Exploratory Assessment. Small-Scale Forestry, 11, 417-433.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11842-011-9192-9
Cerutti, P.O., Tacconi, L., Nasi, R. and Lescuyer, G. (2011) Legal vs. Certified Timber: Preliminary Impacts of Forest Certification in Cameroon. Forest Policy and Economics, 13, 184-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2010.11.005
Moumbock, E.M.A., Ngaba, M.J.Y. and Angwafo, T.E. (2021) Hautes Valeurs de Conservation de Types 5 et 6.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340663370_Gestion_durable_des_Hautes_Valeurs_de_Conservation_de_types_5_et_6_dans_les_UFA_gerees_par_la_societe_forestiere_Pallisco_Identification_cartographie_et_enjeux_pour_la_conservation
Larrea, C., Campos, S.L. and Voora, V. (2021) Voluntary Sustainability Standards, Forest Conservation, and Environmental Provisions in International Trade Policy.
https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-10/voluntary-sustainability-standards-forest-conservation-trade-policy.pdf
Ndoumbe Berock, I. and Ongolo, S. (2019) Why Do Logging Companies Adopt or Reject Forest Certification in the Congo Basin? Insights from Cameroon. International Forestry Review, 21, 341-349. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554819827293213
Wolff, S. and Schweinle, J. (2022) Effectiveness and Economic Viability of Forest Certification: A Systematic Review. Forests, 13, Article 798.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050798
Carodenuto, S. and Ramcilovic-Suominen, S. (2014) Barriers to VPA implementation: A Case Study of Cameroon’s Private Forestry Sector. International Forestry Review, 16, 278-288. https://doi.org/10.1505/146554814812572502
Ackom, E.K., Alemagi, D., Ackom, N.B., Minang, P.A. and Tchoundjeu, Z. (2013) Modern Bioenergy from Agricultural and Forestry Residues in Cameroon: Potential, Challenges and the Way Forward. Energy Policy, 63, 101-113.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.09.006
Sola, P., Schure, J., Eba’a Atyi, R., Gumbo, D., Okeyo, I. and Awono, A. (2019) Woodfuel Policies and Practices in Selected Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa—A Critical Review. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques, 340, 5-19.
https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2019.340.a31690
Sama, M. and Aquilas, N.A. (2016) Determinants of Timber Exports in Cameroon. International Journal of Development and Economic Sustainability, 4, 21-33.
