Douala: The Economic Capital Of Cameroon

Doula is Cameroon largets city. I want to show it to you ´because Cameroon is Nigeria´s neigbour, Whom of you have been to Douala or Cameroon? So maybe someone can join the debate and give some insight or general comments!

Population:
 around 18 million (2006)

Ethnic groups:
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, 30 000 Chinese, 6 000 French, 4 000-5 000 Lebanese and others

Religions:
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages:
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Economy - overview:
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$42.2 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
$16.37 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2006 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 45.2%
industry: 16.1%
services: 38.7% (2006 est.)

Exports - partners:
Spain 17.3%, Italy 13.8%, France 9.5%, South Korea 8.1%, UK 8.1%, Netherlands 7.9%, Belgium 4.9%, US 4.3% (2005)

Imports - partners:
France 21%, Nigeria 15%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.6%, US 5.1%, Thailand 4.5%, Germany 4.2% (2005)











Douala highrises

































a building is under construction over there















one Douala highrise building

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