Cameroon’s government is intensifying oversight in the gold mining industry to clamp down on fraud and substantially increase fiscal revenues.
The campaign, set to launch on August 1st, targets undeclared gold production that has consistently drained public coffers. Officials estimate the initiative could generate around $680 million in tax and customs revenue by 2026, based on an expected production volume of approximately 17.17 tonnes over the next two years.
Underlying the move is a stark reality: many mining operators in Cameroon report production figures far below actual output. This discrepancy has long deprived the state of critical funding for infrastructure, social programs, and economic development.
To enforce stricter compliance, authorities plan to deploy field inspections across the sector. The crackdown comes as over 200 registered companies operate in the industry, some operating without proper authorization—a gap officials aim to close through rigorous monitoring.