Executive summary

Cameroon shows early market activity for nature-based carbon projects, including one registered mangrove project and five Verra-registered nature-based projects. These initiatives reflect growing interest in carbon finance and provide practical experience with project implementation in the country. However, Cameroon still lacks a dedicated regulatory framework for nature-based carbon projects in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). The government doesn’t currently require any single authorization, letter of approval, or registration in a national carbon registry that covers VCM projects. Instead, developers must work within existing environmental, forestry, and land-use regulations. Depending on where a project is located and what it does, this can mean securing environmental permits, forestry approvals, land-use authorizations, and environmental and social impact assessments.  Because requirements vary from project to project, developers should engage with relevant authorities early to confirm which  permits and approvals apply to their specific case. 

‍

Cameroon also does not require mandatory benefit-sharing agreements for all nature-based carbon projects. Still, the national REDD+ strategy encourages transparent and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements with local communities and Indigenous Peoples, particularly where projects affect customary land use or forest resources. Similarly, while Cameroon does not establish a universal legal requirement for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for all carbon projects, the country’s environmental and social impact assessment framework requires developers to consult affected communities, disclose project information, and document community feedback and concerns. Mangrove tenure in Cameroon creates both opportunities and legal uncertainty for blue carbon projects. While the State controls many mangrove areas within maritime, river, and coastal public domains, not all mangroves are State-owned. Mangroves may also fall under community forests, council forests, private forests, or national land, requiring site-specific tenure assessments. Cameroon allows several pathways for project access and management, including concessions, leases, community forest agreements, protected-area management arrangements, and temporary occupation authorizations. Private and community-led projects are also possible where rights are legally recognized. However, Cameroon does not clearly define carbon rights or establish rules on who can own, transfer, or benefit from carbon credits. In practice, carbon rights would likely follow existing land and forest rights, but key issues remain unresolved, including overlapping claims, transfer mechanisms, and government authority over carbon transactions.

‍

Overall, Cameroon has ambiguous enabling conditions for blue carbon projects. The country already hosts several nature-based carbon projects and offers legal pathways for State, private, and community participation in mangrove management. However, the lack of a dedicated carbon market framework, clear authorization procedures, and a legal definition of carbon rights creates significant regulatory uncertainty for project developers and investors. As a result, successful project development will depend on early engagement with government authorities, careful land tenure assessments, and strong community consultation processes to reduce legal and operational risks.