Government infrastructure spending in Cameroon is substantial on roads, bridges, public buildings, drainage systems, schools and health facilities are procured through a formal tender process every year. For a licensed construction company, public works contracts represent some of the largest and most stable work available. Yet many contractors, particularly smaller and mid-size firms, do not pursue them because the process appears complex. This guide explains the system clearly.
How Public Procurement Works in Cameroon
Public contracts in Cameroon are governed by the Public Contracts Code and administered by the ARMP (Agence de Régulation des Marchés Publics). All public tenders above defined thresholds must be published and awarded transparently through this system. Tenders below those thresholds may follow simplified procedures but the same principles of documentation and compliance apply.
The main tender types
- Appel d’Offres Ouvert: Any qualified firm can bid. The most common type for significant contracts.
- Appel d’Offres Restreint: Only pre-selected firms are invited to bid. Usually applied where specialist capability is required.
- Entente Directe: Direct award in exceptional circumstances. Subject to additional scrutiny.
What You Need to Bid on Government Contracts
Legal and administrative requirements
- Company registration documents — Registre du Commerce
- Tax compliance certificate — Attestation de non-redevance fiscale — must be current at submission
- Social security compliance certificate — CNPS
- Professional license from the Ministry of Public Works
- Bank references and recent financial statements
Technical requirements
- Evidence of comparable past projects with contract values and verifiable client references
- CVs of key technical staff; engineers, site supervisors
- Equipment inventory with ownership or lease documentation
- Methodology note explaining execution approach for the specific project
Where to Find Published Tenders
All public tenders above threshold in Cameroon are published on the ARMP website (armp.cm) and in the Journal des Marchés Publics. Tenders are also posted at the contracting authority’s offices. Submission windows are often short — 15 to 30 days — so regular monitoring of these sources is essential.
Common Mistakes That Disqualify Bids
- Submitting with an expired tax compliance certificate; the most common disqualification
- Missing even one required document from the administrative file
- Placing the technical and financial offers in the same envelope when the tender requires separate envelopes
- Not attending mandatory site visits when the tender document requires them
- Signing the submission with an unauthorized representative of the company
Public procurement in Cameroon is strict on form. A technically strong bid can be eliminated for an administrative file that is incomplete. Preparation must be thorough and early.