Cameroon mobile phone customs reform quadruples revenue

Cameroon has seen a significant increase in customs revenue following the implementation of a new clearance system for digital devices. Between April 1 and early September 2026, the country collected over CFA 1.8 billion in duties and taxes on imported mobile phones, a fourfold increase compared to the approximately CFA 400 million collected during the same period the previous year.

The reform requires importers to register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of each device into the CAMCIS customs system. This allows authorities to verify if a device has been properly cleared. As of September 1, the system has entered a phase where undeclared devices can be blocked from mobile networks. More than 1,000 phones were reportedly blocked within the first week of September.

To facilitate the transition, a tax amnesty was applied to devices already connected to Cameroonian networks prior to April 1, 2026. The initiative relies on cooperation between customs authorities and telecommunications operators to ensure compliance and recover revenue lost to undeclared imports.