THE MERCURY OF PRICE IN CAMEROON IN LAND MATTERS

The acquisition of land in Cameroon, despite a certain liberalism observed at the level of the sale price of land between the parties, nevertheless observes certain legal measures, with regard to the registration of real estate sales deeds, hence the interest of a price list in land matters. The latter can be defined as the price scale admitted and accepted by the State in each zone; these are therefore approved prices: we speak of the legal price of land per m²/zone. Thus, in an urban area, the market price cannot be the same as in a rural area. The same is true of the difference in value of land located in the city center and that of second-class neighborhoods, chic or selective neighborhoods and difficult neighborhoods, etc. The level of development is therefore essential here. Moreover, Decree No. 2006/3023/PM of December 29, 2006 (which you can consult here), already set the scene for an administrative assessment of buildings in tax matters taking into account certain calculation criteria for the awarding of prices. Decree No. 2014/1881/PM of July 4, 2014 also follows suit. Prices may change over time. This article therefore has a major informative or didactic purpose in the current state of facts and law, in the direct interest of those involved in real estate transactions who are sellers, buyers or even facilitators. But what really is the real estate price market in Cameroon?

From the outset, you should know that the State, just like private legal or natural persons, is likely to be the owner of land in its own right (having a land title on it) and therefore to have the right to dispose of of his lands in the most absolute manner. Consequently, any person can request an acquisition from them and must refer, for the basis of calculation relating to taxes, to a text which concerns the minimum price list applicable to transactions on land falling within the private domain of the State: this is Decree No. 2014/3211/PM of September 29, 2014 (which you can consult here ). As an illustration, the minimum prices per m² differ depending on whether the land in the private domain of the State is purchased from Bankomo, Ngoumou, Obala, Ebolowa, Sangmelima, Eseka… (2000 FCFA) or Maroua, Garoua, Monatele, Bafoussam, Kribi , Bamenda… (5000 FCFA) or even in Yaoundé, Douala… (10000 FCFA) or even in Sa'a, Bikok, Akono, Essé, Ebebda… (500 FCFA) etc. It should nevertheless be noted that these approved prices are for residential use. For commerce, it’s double; for industry, it’s half and for culture or social, it’s a quarter.

To this end, if it is accepted that the approved price of spaces from the private domain of the State is clear and known, this is not necessarily the same logic for the land of individuals, natural or legal persons. So what would be the approved price of the spaces from these last private properties? The concern therefore remains intact for the user, as to the correct calculation reference applicable to private transactions in land matters. It is to respond to this problem that we have decided, through this article, to further popularize the related information.

It is on the strength of this that when reading the market price of administrative values ​​of built and unbuilt buildings, the observation is quickly made that the minimum prices differ depending on the zones but are much more considerable than those of the domain deprived of the State. So for example, while the minimum price is 75,000 FCFA for unbuilt buildings and 150,000 FCFA for built ones, in Kotto in Douala or in Olezoa in Yaoundé, in Obobogo on the other hand, we have 30,000 FCFA for unbuilt buildings and 150,000 FCFA for those built. Another illustration is that of Omnisport in Yaoundé also where we have 120,000 FCFA for unbuilt buildings and 200,000 FCFA for built ones. The examples are legion and we can multiply them in neighborhoods like Odza, Ngousso, Simbock, Bastos etc. The support will be more in line with the different concerns of users with the assistance and technical-legal expertise of Nimmo-Auto, Real Estate Agency.