Language
Overview
The official languages are English (20%) and French (80%). According to the constitution, both languages are given equal status. Bantu, Semibantu and other African languages are common.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
02/11/2022 Youth Day
03/01/2022 Lailat al Miraj (Night of the Ascension)
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/17/2022 Easter Sunday
05/01/2022 Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/20/2022 National holiday
05/21/2022 Sheep Festival
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
07/09/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
07/30/2022 Hijra (Islamic New Year)
08/15/2022 Assumption Day
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Cameroon duty-free: 400 g cigarettes, 125 g cigars, 500 g tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages; 5 bottles of perfume. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Exports
Ivory, antique art objects.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
Brunnadernrain 29
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (0)31 352 47 37.
Mon-Thu 09.00-17.00.
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cameroon
(with visa issue)
Ladenburghöhe 21-27
Vienna
Austria
+43 (0)1 91 47 74 40 or +43 (0)1 91 47 74 416.
Thurs 09.00-12.00 and by appointment.
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
(Also responsible for Austria.)
Honorary consulates in Essen and Hamburg, for Austria honorary consulate in Vienna.
Ulmenallee 32
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 89 06 80 90.
http://www.ambacam.de
http://www.ambacam.de
Mon-Fri 09.00-15.30.
Business
Business etiquette
Business trips are best scheduled between July and September. English is spoken mainly in cities. Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30am-3.30pm.
Business contacts
Commercial Department of the Embassy of Cameroon Ulmenallee 32, 14050 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 89 06 80 90. Website: www.ambacamer.de Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie, des Mines et de L’Artisanat du Cameroun ( Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Rue de la Chambre de Commerce, Bonanjo, Douala, Cameroon Tel. +237 (0)2 33 42 67 87, +237 (0)2 33 42 68 55. Website: www.ccima.cm
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing. No area codes. According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the larger cities can be selected directly. National telephone connections are often poor. Telephones are available in post offices and restaurants, and there are phone booths in the larger towns. International phone calls can be made from Intelcam offices (Internet: http://www.camnet.cm/intelcam1/). There are phone cards.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Cellular companies include MTN Cameroun Ltd, Mobilis and Orange Cameroun SA (website: www.orange.cm). Roaming agreements exist with Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among others.
Internet
Main provider: Camnet (Internet: www.camnet.cm). There are more and more internet cafes in the bigger cities. Outside of Yaoundé and Douala, internet usage fees are often much higher.
Post office
Stamps are only available in post offices. Airmail to Europe takes about a week. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 07.30-18.00.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
