Cameroon, rich in natural resources (oil, gas, minerals, timber, etc.), attracts many international players, particularly from Asia and the West, who deploy various strategies to secure their supplies and maximize their profits. Western players, such as European and American multinationals, focus mainly on oil, mining and forestry. As part of our research, we conducted a three-year study of the presence of these players in Cameroon. The survey was conducted among 98 large traders, 232 small traders and 335 consumers in different regions of the country. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a wide range of stakeholders: heads of regional delegations of ministries, the Chamber of Commerce and the Groupement inter patronal du Cameroun (GICAM). Our results show that the strategies of Asian and Western players have distinct characteristics, but sometimes complement each other in certain areas, while creating significant competition for the country’s natural resources. In the Western approach. It favors long-term strategies based on strict environmental standards, investment in sustainable infrastructure, and partnerships of varying degrees with local players and the Cameroonian state. However, slow administrative procedures and stringent regulatory requirements can put the brakes on some projects. The Asian approach, on the other hand, is more attractive, based on rapid and massive investment, often in infrastructure projects and key sectors such as mining and forestry. While these projects create jobs and promote infrastructure development, their environmental impact is often less controlled. Overall, this strategy is having a profound influence on Cameroon’s economic and geopolitical relations, as the country finds itself at a crossroads between these economic powers. In 2020, Cameroon’s oil production was around 30,000 barrels per day. The mining sector accounts for 4 to 5% of Cameroon’s GDP. Companies such as Rio Tinto and Lundin Mining (Canada) are involved in the exploitation of mineral resources, particularly precious metals and ores. By 2024, around 60% of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cameroon will come from China, particularly in the infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

Keywords: Actors, Cameroon, Geostrategy, Natural resources.