Are Airbnb rentals in Cameroon a good idea? (2026)

This article explains whether owning an Airbnb rental in Cameroon can still make sense in 2026, using fresh data on prices, occupancy, revenue, costs and local rules.

We will also talk about current housing prices in Cameroon, because the purchase price matters as much as the nightly rate when you estimate real profitability.

We constantly update this blog post, so the figures below are meant to reflect the Cameroon Airbnb market as closely as possible for early 2026.

And if you’re planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon.

Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert

✓✓✓

Cedella Besong 🇨🇲

Co-Founder & CEO, CFB Holding

Cedella Besong is the Co-Founder & CEO of CFB Holding, leading the company’s mission to drive social and economic development across Cameroon. With a strong background in global business and marketing, she is deeply committed to projects that create lasting impact—whether in real estate, education, or sustainable agriculture. Cedella believes that investment should go beyond profit, focusing on innovation and community empowerment to build a brighter future for Cameroon.

Who is the author of this content?

THE AFRICANVESTOR

A team specialized in real estate investing in African countries

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Cameroon. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

Can I legally run an Airbnb in Cameroon in 2026?

Is short-term renting allowed in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, short-term renting is generally allowed in Cameroon, and a residential Airbnb in Cameroon can operate if the owner has the right to rent the property and follows tax and local rules.

The main legal framework is not a special Airbnb law, because Cameroon mainly relies on its national tourism and leisure law, tax registration rules and local municipal practice for furnished short-stay accommodation.

The most important condition is that a repeated or professional Airbnb host in Cameroon should treat the activity as taxable income and avoid operating like an informal hotel without the right registration.

In practice, the other checks are simple but important: the lease, co-ownership rules, building rules, security requirements and neighborhood nuisance rules should not block short-term guests.

If a Cameroon Airbnb is operated illegally, the likely consequences are tax reassessment, fines, closure pressure from local authorities or problems with the landlord or building manager.

For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Cameroon.

If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Cameroon.

Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, we found no national minimum-stay rule and no national maximum nights-per-year cap for Airbnb rentals in Cameroon.

This means the same basic position applies to studios, apartments, houses, duplexes and villas across Cameroon, with no special primary-residence cap identified for any residential property type.

Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Cameroon right now?

Cameroon does not appear to have a national rule requiring an Airbnb host to live in the property.

Owners of secondary homes and investment apartments in Cameroon can generally operate short-term rentals if the owner has rental rights and the property is suitable for guests.

There is no special non-primary-residence Airbnb permit that we could identify, but a remote owner should still arrange tax compliance, guest support, repairs, security and local contact coverage.

The main difference is practical rather than legal: a primary residence is easier to supervise, while a secondary home in Cameroon needs stronger management and better security routines.

Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Cameroon right now?

A person can generally run multiple Airbnb listings under one name in Cameroon, but several furnished units will look like a professional accommodation business.

We found no national rule setting a fixed maximum number of Cameroon Airbnb properties that one person or company can list.

However, a host with several listings in Douala, Yaoundé, Kribi or Limbe should expect stronger tax registration, accounting and possible tourism accommodation expectations than a casual owner.

The reason is simple: Cameroon’s authorities are more likely to treat repeated furnished rentals as a business when the same host controls several income-producing units.

Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, Cameroon does not appear to have a separate national Airbnb license, but a repeated or professional host should plan for tax registration and possible accommodation-related formalities.

For a small owner, the practical process usually starts with confirming ownership or landlord consent, then registering the taxable activity if hosting becomes regular.

The documents usually include identification, proof of address, property documents, tax information and, for a company, business registration documents.

We did not identify one clear national Airbnb license fee, so the cost depends on the legal form, tax position, municipality and whether the activity is treated like formal lodging.

Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, we found no national neighborhood ban that blocks Airbnb activity across specific residential zones in Cameroon.

Still, hosts should be more careful in diplomatic, administrative and high-security areas such as Bastos, Mont Fébé, Bonanjo and parts of central Yaoundé or Douala.

The reason is not a broad Airbnb ban, but security sensitivity, gated-community rules, police checks, building rules and neighbor tolerance.

How much can an Airbnb earn in Cameroon in 2026?

What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, the estimated average nightly price for an Airbnb listing in Cameroon is about 37,000 XAF, or about $65 and €56, while the median is closer to 28,000 XAF, or about $50 and €43.

A realistic nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Cameroon Airbnb listings is about 18,000 to 75,000 XAF, or about $32 to $133 and €27 to €114.

The biggest pricing factor is location quality, because a reliable apartment in Akwa, Bonapriso, Bastos or Mont Fébé can charge much more than a similar unit in a less convenient area.

By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon.

How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, nightly prices can vary from about 20,000 XAF in affordable areas such as Logpom, Odza or Essos to 80,000 XAF or more in premium areas such as Bonapriso, Bastos or Mont Fébé, which is about $35 to $142 and €30 to €122.

The three highest-price Airbnb neighborhoods in Cameroon are usually Bonapriso in Douala, Bastos in Yaoundé and Mont Fébé in Yaoundé, where strong apartments often sit around 45,000 to 90,000 XAF per night, or about $80 to $160 and €69 to €137.

The three lower-price areas are often Logpom, Makepe and Odza, where people still stay because prices are lower and access can be convenient for families, longer stays or local business trips.

What's the typical occupancy rate in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Cameroon is about 27% to 32%.

Most Cameroon Airbnb listings probably sit between 20% and 40% occupancy, with weak listings below that and strong listings above that.

This is lower than mature global tourism markets, but Cameroon’s business, diaspora and conference demand can still support good income in the best neighborhoods.

The biggest factor behind above-average occupancy in Cameroon is operational reliability, especially power backup, fast Wi-Fi, security, parking and fast host communication.

What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, the estimated average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Cameroon is about 135,000 XAF, or about $240 and €206.

A realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Cameroon Airbnb listings is about 60,000 to 300,000 XAF, or about $105 to $530 and €91 to €457.

Top Cameroon Airbnb listings can reach about 350,000 to 700,000 XAF per month, or about $620 to $1,240 and €534 to €1,067, when a strong unit combines premium location, good reviews and event demand.

For example, a 2-bedroom apartment at 60,000 XAF per night and 14 booked nights makes about 840,000 XAF in gross monthly revenue before costs.

Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Cameroon.

What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, a typical Cameroon Airbnb can earn about 60,000 to 95,000 XAF in a low-season month and about 180,000 to 300,000 XAF in a strong month, or about $105 to $530 and €91 to €457 across that full range.

October is often weak in the private STR datasets, while March, June, September and December can be stronger because of conferences, business travel, diaspora visits and holidays.

What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Cameroon is about 110,000 to 280,000 XAF, or about $195 to $495 and €168 to €427, before mortgage or long-term rent.

The largest cost is usually utilities and reliability, because electricity, generator fuel, inverter batteries, internet and air-conditioning wear can easily cost 40,000 to 120,000 XAF per month, or about $70 to $210 and €61 to €183.

Most Cameroon Airbnb hosts should expect operating expenses to absorb about 45% to 75% of gross revenue, especially if cleaning, security and maintenance are paid separately.

If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Cameroon.

What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, a realistic monthly net profit for an average Airbnb in Cameroon is about -40,000 to +60,000 XAF, or about -$70 to +$105 and -€61 to +€91, which equals about -1,300 to +2,000 XAF per available night.

Most listings fall between a small loss and a modest profit, while strong business apartments in Akwa, Bonapriso, Bastos or Mont Fébé can reach about 60,000 to 250,000 XAF net per month, or about $105 to $440 and €91 to €381.

Typical net profit margins in Cameroon are often around -20% to +25%, because operating costs are high compared with average monthly revenue.

The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Cameroon Airbnb is often around 28% to 38%, depending on nightly price and how expensive electricity, cleaning and security become.

In our property pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.

How competitive is Airbnb in Cameroon as of 2026?

How many active Airbnb listings are in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, Cameroon likely has about 1,400 to 1,800 active residential short-term rental listings when wider Airbnb and Vrbo visibility is included.

The market has grown over the long term because furnished apartments are now common in Douala and Yaoundé, but the 2026 data still shows a small and uneven market compared with major African tourism hubs.

Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the most saturated Airbnb neighborhoods in Cameroon are Akwa, Bonapriso, Bonanjo, Bonamoussadi, Makepe and Logpom in Douala, plus Bastos, Mont Fébé, Centre-ville, Hippodrome, Essos, Mfandena and Odza in Yaoundé.

These areas are saturated because they already combine business access, restaurants, diplomatic demand, paved roads, security expectations and familiar search names for travelers.

Relatively less saturated opportunities may exist in Deido, Bali, Bonabéri, Ndogbong, Nlongkak, Mvan, Molyko in Buea and selected beach-access pockets outside central Kribi or Limbe.

What local events spike demand in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, the main Airbnb demand spikes in Cameroon include WTO MC14 in Yaoundé in March 2026, PROMOTE 2026 in Yaoundé in June 2026, business missions, university events, diaspora holidays and beach weekends in Kribi and Limbe.

During peak events, strong listings near the right venue can often lift bookings and nightly rates by about 20% to 50%, with higher jumps possible for scarce premium units.

Hosts in Cameroon should adjust prices and minimum stays about 4 to 8 weeks before major events, because business travelers and delegations often book earlier than leisure guests.

What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Cameroon can reach about 50% to 60% occupancy in good months.

This compares with an average host at about 27% to 32% occupancy, so the best operators can book almost twice as many nights as the typical listing.

A new host in Cameroon usually needs 6 to 12 months to approach top-performer occupancy, because reviews, repeat guests, photos and operational routines take time to build.

We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Cameroon.

Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Cameroon right now?

The most crowded nightly price range for Airbnb in Cameroon is about 20,000 to 35,000 XAF, or about $35 to $62 and €30 to €53, mostly for studios and basic 1-bedroom apartments.

The clearest white space is around 45,000 to 80,000 XAF per night for reliable 2-bedroom business apartments, or about $80 to $142 and €69 to €122, and around 90,000 to 180,000 XAF for strong family villas, or about $160 to $320 and €137 to €274.

A new host can compete in these underserved segments by offering backup power, real fiber internet, secure parking, strong cleaning, clear photos, a washing machine and responsive local support.

We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Cameroon compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.

What property works best for Airbnb demand in Cameroon right now?

What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Cameroon as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the safest bedroom count for Airbnb demand in Cameroon is 1 to 2 bedrooms, with 2-bedroom apartments offering the best balance between demand and margin.

A practical booking breakdown for Cameroon is about 20% studios, 30% 1-bedroom units, 35% 2-bedroom units and 15% 3-bedroom-plus homes or villas.

The 2-bedroom format performs well in Cameroon because it fits business travelers, small families, diaspora guests and short work trips without the high cost of running a large villa.

What property type performs best in Cameroon in 2026?

As of early 2026, the best-performing Airbnb property type in Cameroon is a modern furnished apartment, especially a secure 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom unit with parking, backup power and strong Wi-Fi.

Apartments usually achieve steadier occupancy than villas, while villas can charge higher nightly prices in Kribi, Limbe, Bastos, Bonapriso and Mont Fébé but often face more vacancy risk.

Modern apartments outperform in Cameroon because the main guest base is practical: business travelers, administrators, diaspora visitors, conference guests and small families want reliability first.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it’s in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Cameroon, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don’t throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we’ve listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.

Source	Why we trust it	How we used it
Cameroon 2016 Tourism and Leisure Law	It reproduces the national law governing tourism and leisure activities in Cameroon.	We used it to frame short-term accommodation as an activity that can fall under tourism rules when operated commercially. We did not treat it as a dedicated Airbnb law.
Cameroon Directorate General of Taxes	It is Cameroon’s official tax administration.	We used it to confirm that repeated rental income should be treated as taxable activity. We also used it to anchor the need for tax registration when hosting becomes professional.
Cameroon General Tax Code portal	It is the official tax documentation portal for Cameroon.	We used it to support the tax treatment of rental and accommodation income. We avoided giving one-size-fits-all tax advice because each host situation can differ.
PwC VAT in Africa: Cameroon	PwC is a major tax advisory firm and its VAT guides are widely used for cross-country checks.	We used it for VAT context and digital-platform taxation context. We cross-checked it against Cameroon’s tax authority rather than using it alone.
INS Cameroon statistics portal	It is Cameroon’s national statistics institute.	We used it for inflation and economic context. We used official data to avoid relying only on private real estate blogs.
IMF 2026 Article IV Cameroon	The IMF provides current macroeconomic forecasts and risk analysis for Cameroon.	We used it to frame the 2026 operating environment. We did not use IMF data as Airbnb revenue data.
World Bank Cameroon country page	The World Bank is a primary international development source.	We used it for broader country and urban-economy context. We relied on STR datasets for Airbnb-specific numbers.
BEAC official website	BEAC is the central bank for the CEMAC zone, including Cameroon.	We used it for currency and monetary context. We converted EUR values using the CFA franc’s euro peg.
AirDNA Douala market page	AirDNA is one of the best-known private short-term rental data providers.	We used it to cross-check Douala supply, occupancy, ADR and revenue. We treated it as private-sector market data, not official statistics.
AirROI Cameroon market ranking	AirROI publishes transparent city-level STR metrics across many markets.	We used it to compare Yaoundé, Douala and Kribi markets. We also used it to understand active listing depth and regulation labels.
AirROI Douala 2026 Airbnb data	It gives Douala ADR, occupancy, revenue, RevPAR and active listings with a stated 2026 dataset.	We used it for Douala short-term rental benchmarks. We compared it with AirDNA because listing boundaries can differ.
AirROI Yaoundé 2026 Airbnb data	It gives Yaoundé Airbnb metrics with a stated data period from June 2025 to May 2026.	We used it for Yaoundé ADR, occupancy, revenue, seasonality and active listings. We used Yaoundé as the main diplomatic and conference-demand benchmark.
Airbnb Douala stays page	Airbnb is the marketplace itself, so it is useful for checking visible guest-facing supply.	We used it to verify common property types, amenities and neighborhood positioning. We did not use it alone for revenue estimates.
Airbnb Yaoundé stays page	Airbnb directly shows the residential supply visible to guests.	We used it to validate apartment formats and amenities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, kitchen and parking. We cross-checked performance with AirROI and AirDNA.
PROMOTE 2026 official website	It is the official page for Cameroon’s major business fair in Yaoundé.	We used it to identify a major June 2026 demand-spike event. We linked the event mainly to Yaoundé listings near Palais des Congrès, Bastos and Mont Fébé.
FAO page on WTO MC14 Cameroon	FAO is a UN agency and the page documents the WTO ministerial conference in Yaoundé.	We used it to identify the March 2026 diplomatic and business demand spike. We treated MC14 as an unusual event, not normal recurring demand.
Forbes Advisor EUR to XAF converter	It clearly shows the fixed EUR to XAF conversion used for simple currency estimates.	We used it to keep EUR conversions easy to read. We rounded currency values so readers can process the numbers quickly.