Bertoua

Bertoua is a city in Cameroon located in the East Region. It is the capital of the Lom‑et‑Djerem Department and, according to the latest available data, has a population of 137,993.

The city is the traditional home of the Gbaya people, whose cultural practices include music, dance and craft traditions that shape community life. These expressions are part of the city’s cultural identity and are evident in everyday social interaction.

Agriculture remains the primary economic activity in Bertoua. In 2020 the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development planted 300,000 cashew seeds, establishing a plantation that covers 3,000 hectares and reinforcing the region’s role in cashew production. Cameroon National Highway 1 runs through the city, and Bertoua Airport, operated by Camair‑Co, provides air access, both facilitating the transport of agricultural goods and supporting market exchange.

By linking a strong agricultural base with the cultural heritage of the Gbaya, Bertoua’s present‑day economy reflects the interplay of production and tradition.

Economy of Bertoua

Bertoua is a city in the East Region of Cameroon. Its economy is dominated by agriculture, with cashew production playing a central role.

The Institute of Agricultural Research for Development established a 3,000‑hectare cashew plantation in 2020, planting 300,000 seeds. This initiative supplies raw material for local processors and supports seasonal labor for the city's growing population of 137,993 residents.

Smallholder farms surrounding the city also cultivate maize, cassava, and plantains, feeding both local markets and nearby towns accessed via Cameroon National Highway 1. The highway facilitates the transport of agricultural goods to larger commercial centres, linking Bertoua’s output to national and regional supply chains.

Commercial activity clusters around the airport and market areas, where traders exchange produce, livestock, and imported goods. The presence of the airport, operated by Camair‑Co, enables occasional export flights, although most cashew shipments move by road to ports on the Atlantic coast.

Overall, Bertoua’s economic profile reflects a reliance on primary sector agriculture, supported by transport infrastructure that connects the city to broader Cameroonian markets.

Bertoua is a city in the East Region of Cameroon. It serves as the administrative centre of the Lom‑et‑Djerem Department and had an estimated population of 137,993.

Economy of Bertoua

Agriculture dominates the local economy, providing the main source of employment and income for residents. In 2020 the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development established a 3,000‑hectare cashew plantation by sowing 300,000 cashew seeds, a project that expanded both the cultivated area and the value‑added processing potential of the region Bertoua.

The city’s commercial activity is supported by its position on Cameroon National Highway 1, which links Bertoua to major markets in the south and north of the country. The presence of Bertoua Airport, operated by Camair‑Co, further facilitates the movement of goods and passengers, enabling faster export of agricultural produce and attracting occasional business travel Bertoua.

Public services also contribute to the urban economy. The local hospital, which in 2014 treated refugees arriving from the Central African Republic, generates demand for medical supplies, accommodation, and auxiliary services, thereby creating ancillary jobs and stimulating small‑scale commerce in the surrounding neighbourhoods Bertoua.

Business transactions are conducted in the Central African CFA franc (XAF), and the bilingual environment—French and English—reflects Cameroon’s official language policy, facilitating trade with both francophone and anglophone partners Bertoua. The city’s sizeable population provides a labor pool for agricultural processing, transport logistics, and service sectors, reinforcing its role as an economic hub within the East Region.