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SUMMARY
We analyzed residential property rental yields in Cameroon, as of May 2026, for residential property buyers using the raw dataset provided and our own structured market research process. The result is a practical yield guide for foreign individual buyers who want to compare purchase prices, rents, gross yields, and realistic net yields.
This page is updated regularly, so the numbers should be read as a current Cameroon residential property rental yield snapshot for 2026 rather than a permanent forecast.
The strongest income signal in the dataset is that compact 1-bedroom properties usually produce the best net rental yield in Cameroon. Across the modeled neighborhoods, 1-bedroom properties average about 5.0% net yield, compared with about 4.6% for 2-bedroom properties and about 4.4% for 3-bedroom properties.
Bonabéri, Douala has the highest modeled 1-bedroom net yield, at 5.5%. Mvan / Ekounou, Yaoundé, Logpom / Kotto, Douala, Odza / Nsimeyong, Yaoundé, and Makepe, Douala also stand out because their entry prices are lower while rents remain supported by real local demand.
Douala remains the main rental-income market because it is Cameroon’s economic capital. Yaoundé is more administrative and institutional, which makes areas such as Bastos, Nlongkak / Mfandena, Odza / Nsimeyong, and Mvan / Ekounou important for different tenant profiles.
The weakest pure-yield areas are usually prestige-heavy neighborhoods such as Bastos and Bonanjo / Bonapriso. These areas can be safer, more liquid, and easier to understand for foreign buyers, but their purchase prices are high relative to realistic rent.
Coastal markets such as Kribi and Limbe can show attractive gross yields, especially for larger homes. The problem is that vacancy, furnishing, maintenance, management, and seasonality reduce the net yield more sharply than in standard city apartments.
The main property-type lesson is simple. Apartments and flats in Douala and Yaoundé are the most beginner-friendly rental products, while small houses, duplexes, and family houses require more capital and usually deliver lower net yield after repairs and vacancy.
For a foreign individual buyer, the biggest risks are not only rent and price. Clean title, registered ownership, notarial checks, road access, building condition, rainy-season access, security, tenant depth, and resale liquidity can matter as much as the headline yield.
The practical Cameroon residential property rental yield takeaway is to prioritize net yield, not gross yield. A 7% gross yield in Kribi or Bonabéri can be less attractive than a slightly lower yield in Makepe or Akwa / Deido if the safer property rents faster, costs less to manage, and is easier to resell.
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Residential property rental yields in Cameroon in 2026
This table compares residential property rental yields in Cameroon by neighborhood, city, and bedroom count.
For each area, the table shows estimated average purchase price, estimated average monthly rent, gross rental yield, and net rental yield for 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom residential properties.
The table covers the neighborhoods and property types included in the dataset, including apartments and flats in Douala and Yaoundé, small houses or duplex-style family units in suburban areas, and larger coastal homes in Kribi and Limbe. Finally, please note you'll find much more detailed data in our real estate pack about Cameroon.
| Neighborhood | 1-bedroom property average purchase price | 1-bedroom property average monthly rent | 1-bedroom property gross rental yield | 1-bedroom property net rental yield | 2-bedroom property average purchase price | 2-bedroom property average monthly rent | 2-bedroom property gross rental yield | 2-bedroom property net rental yield | 3-bedroom property average purchase price | 3-bedroom property average monthly rent | 3-bedroom property gross rental yield | 3-bedroom property net rental yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akwa / Deido, Douala | 28,000,000 FCFA | 160,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 5.0% | 45,000,000 FCFA | 260,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 5.1% | 70,000,000 FCFA | 390,000 FCFA | 6.7% | 4.9% |
| Bastos, Yaoundé | 48,000,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA | 6.0% | 4.2% | 82,000,000 FCFA | 420,000 FCFA | 6.1% | 4.3% | 135,000,000 FCFA | 650,000 FCFA | 5.8% | 4.0% |
| Bonabéri, Douala | 18,000,000 FCFA | 110,000 FCFA | 7.3% | 5.5% | 32,000,000 FCFA | 180,000 FCFA | 6.8% | 5.1% | 55,000,000 FCFA | 280,000 FCFA | 6.1% | 4.6% |
| Bonamoussadi, Douala | 32,000,000 FCFA | 180,000 FCFA | 6.8% | 5.0% | 55,000,000 FCFA | 260,000 FCFA | 5.7% | 4.2% | 95,000,000 FCFA | 430,000 FCFA | 5.4% | 4.0% |
| Bonanjo / Bonapriso, Douala | 55,000,000 FCFA | 320,000 FCFA | 7.0% | 4.8% | 95,000,000 FCFA | 520,000 FCFA | 6.6% | 4.5% | 165,000,000 FCFA | 850,000 FCFA | 6.2% | 4.3% |
| Kribi beach corridor, Kribi | 24,000,000 FCFA | 140,000 FCFA | 7.0% | 4.5% | 48,000,000 FCFA | 280,000 FCFA | 7.0% | 4.5% | 85,000,000 FCFA | 520,000 FCFA | 7.3% | 4.7% |
| Limbe coastal corridor, Limbe | 22,000,000 FCFA | 130,000 FCFA | 7.1% | 4.7% | 42,000,000 FCFA | 240,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 4.5% | 78,000,000 FCFA | 420,000 FCFA | 6.5% | 4.3% |
| Logbessou / Yassa, Douala | 17,000,000 FCFA | 95,000 FCFA | 6.7% | 5.1% | 29,000,000 FCFA | 145,000 FCFA | 6.0% | 4.6% | 48,000,000 FCFA | 230,000 FCFA | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Logpom / Kotto, Douala | 20,000,000 FCFA | 115,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 5.2% | 34,000,000 FCFA | 175,000 FCFA | 6.2% | 4.7% | 58,000,000 FCFA | 280,000 FCFA | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Makepe, Douala | 27,000,000 FCFA | 155,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 5.2% | 45,000,000 FCFA | 230,000 FCFA | 6.1% | 4.6% | 75,000,000 FCFA | 340,000 FCFA | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| Mvan / Ekounou, Yaoundé | 18,000,000 FCFA | 105,000 FCFA | 7.0% | 5.3% | 30,000,000 FCFA | 165,000 FCFA | 6.6% | 5.0% | 52,000,000 FCFA | 260,000 FCFA | 6.0% | 4.6% |
| Nlongkak / Mfandena, Yaoundé | 30,000,000 FCFA | 165,000 FCFA | 6.6% | 4.9% | 50,000,000 FCFA | 260,000 FCFA | 6.2% | 4.6% | 82,000,000 FCFA | 390,000 FCFA | 5.7% | 4.2% |
| Odza / Nsimeyong, Yaoundé | 21,000,000 FCFA | 120,000 FCFA | 6.9% | 5.2% | 36,000,000 FCFA | 190,000 FCFA | 6.3% | 4.8% | 62,000,000 FCFA | 300,000 FCFA | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Soa / Nkolbisson, Yaoundé | 15,000,000 FCFA | 80,000 FCFA | 6.4% | 4.9% | 26,000,000 FCFA | 125,000 FCFA | 5.8% | 4.4% | 42,000,000 FCFA | 200,000 FCFA | 5.7% | 4.4% |
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Which neighborhoods offer the best net yield among areas people actually want to live in Cameroon?
The best net-yield neighborhoods among areas people actually want to live in Cameroon are Makepe, Mvan / Ekounou, Logpom / Kotto, Odza / Nsimeyong, and Akwa / Deido. They combine net yields around 4.7% to 5.3% with real tenant demand, not only low purchase prices.
Makepe’s 1-bedroom model gives a 5.2% net yield, and its 2-bedroom model gives 4.6%. That is strong because Makepe is a practical Douala residential zone with access to Bonamoussadi and Logpom, not a remote fringe market.
Mvan / Ekounou is one of Yaoundé’s clearest yield areas. The modeled 1-bedroom net yield is 5.3%, and the 2-bedroom net yield is 5.0%, compared with Bastos at only 4.2% to 4.3%.
Logpom / Kotto offers a useful Douala beginner profile. A 1-bedroom unit is modeled at 20 million FCFA with 115,000 FCFA monthly rent, producing a 5.2% net yield.
The trade-off is property selection. Bonapriso and Bastos are easier to explain to premium tenants and foreign buyers, but Makepe, Mvan, Odza, and Logpom usually need more careful checks on building quality, road access, and title documentation.
Where can I find residential properties with above-average yields and below-average entry prices in Cameroon?
The best above-average-yield and below-average-entry-price areas in Cameroon are Bonabéri, Mvan / Ekounou, Logbessou / Yassa, Logpom / Kotto, and Odza / Nsimeyong. These areas offer 1-bedroom entry prices around 15 million to 21 million FCFA, well below premium areas such as Bastos or Bonapriso.
Bonabéri has the clearest modeled yield advantage. A 1-bedroom unit at 18 million FCFA and 110,000 FCFA monthly rent gives a 7.3% gross yield and 5.5% net yield.
Mvan / Ekounou is the Yaoundé value case. A 2-bedroom property at 30 million FCFA with 165,000 FCFA monthly rent gives a 5.0% net yield, while Bastos requires roughly 82 million FCFA for a modeled 2-bedroom and gives only 4.3% net.
Logbessou / Yassa is cheaper because it is more peripheral and road access is not equally convenient everywhere. But rents are still supported by Douala’s eastward expansion and by middle-income households priced out of more established areas.
The practical warning is that cheap is not always value in the Cameroon residential property market. A beginner should only buy these areas if the property is finished, titled, accessible in rainy season, and easy to rent at a normal local price.
Where does the rent level justify the purchase price most clearly in Cameroon?
The rent level most clearly justifies the purchase price in Bonabéri, Mvan / Ekounou, Akwa / Deido, Makepe, and Kribi’s beach corridor. These areas show a better rent-to-price relationship than prestige-heavy neighborhoods.
Bonabéri’s 1-bedroom rent-to-price ratio is the strongest in the model. A monthly rent of 110,000 FCFA on an 18 million FCFA purchase price equals a 7.3% gross yield.
Akwa / Deido is also rational because central Douala rents remain high. A 2-bedroom property at 45 million FCFA and 260,000 FCFA monthly rent gives a 6.9% gross yield and 5.1% net yield.
Kribi looks attractive on gross rent, especially for 3-bedroom homes, where the model shows 520,000 FCFA monthly rent and 7.3% gross yield. But the net yield falls to 4.7% because coastal properties need higher vacancy, repair, furnishing, and management allowances.
The honest interpretation is that city rents in Douala and Yaoundé are more predictable than coastal rents. We have actually built the our real estate pack about Cameroon to make sure you won’t buy in the wrong area. Check it out.
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Where is the best place to buy for stable rental income rather than maximum yield in Cameroon?
For stable rental income in Cameroon, the best areas are Bonamoussadi, Makepe, Akwa / Deido, Bastos, Nlongkak / Mfandena, and Odza / Nsimeyong. They are not always the highest-yielding areas, but they have deeper tenant pools.
Bonamoussadi’s modeled 2-bedroom net yield is only 4.2%, below Makepe and Akwa / Deido. But Bonamoussadi has stronger family demand, better recognition among local renters, and better resale familiarity.
Bastos has weak yield for the price, with modeled net yields around 4.0% to 4.3%. It remains one of Yaoundé’s most stable premium rental areas because of embassies, NGOs, senior public-sector workers, security expectations, and expat demand.
Makepe is a good balance. It gives around 5.2% net yield on 1-bedroom units, while still having enough residential demand to avoid feeling speculative.
The trade-off is return versus reliability. A beginner who wants fewer vacancies may accept Bastos or Bonamoussadi’s lower yield, while a buyer who wants more income can move to Makepe, Odza, or Mvan with stricter due diligence.
What type of residential property should a beginner investor buy to maximize rental profitability in Cameroon?
A beginner investor in Cameroon should usually buy a 1-bedroom or compact 2-bedroom apartment in Douala or Yaoundé, not a large villa. This gives the best balance of entry price, tenant depth, maintenance burden, and resale liquidity.
The table shows the pattern clearly. Across the modeled neighborhoods, 1-bedroom units average about 6.8% gross yield and 5.0% net yield.
Two-bedroom units average about 6.4% gross yield and 4.6% net yield. Three-bedroom units average about 6.0% gross yield and 4.4% net yield.
The reason is local affordability. Many Cameroon renters can afford compact apartments more easily than large family houses, and smaller units also have a deeper tenant pool of single workers, young couples, students, junior expats, and small households.
Three-bedroom properties can produce higher absolute rent, especially in Bastos, Bonapriso, Kribi, and Limbe. But they need more capital, more repairs, more furnishing, larger vacancy buffers, and a narrower tenant base.
The trade-off is turnover. A 1-bedroom apartment may change tenants more often than a family 3-bedroom, but for a beginner, the lower entry price and easier rentability usually outweigh the turnover risk. We give you more details in the our real estate pack about Cameroon.
Which neighborhoods offer strong rental income with the lowest vacancy risk in Cameroon?
The strongest income-with-low-vacancy neighborhoods in Cameroon are Makepe, Bonamoussadi, Akwa / Deido, Bastos, and Odza / Nsimeyong. They combine meaningful rents with broad tenant demand.
Akwa / Deido has a modeled 2-bedroom rent of 260,000 FCFA and a 5.1% net yield. Its advantage is central Douala demand from workers, traders, service employees, and tenants who value access over prestige.
Makepe gives 155,000 FCFA monthly rent for a 1-bedroom and 230,000 FCFA for a 2-bedroom, with net yields around 5.2% and 4.6%. Demand is broader than in fringe Douala because it serves middle-income residents who want proximity to newer northern residential zones.
Bastos has higher rents, with a modeled 650,000 FCFA for 3-bedroom properties, but the tenant pool is narrower. It depends more on premium households, foreign organizations, and senior workers.
The practical takeaway is that high rent is not the same as low vacancy. Bonapriso and Bastos can command high rents, but if a premium tenant leaves, replacement can take longer than in mid-market areas.
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Which areas look overpriced relative to their rental income in Cameroon?
The clearest overpriced areas relative to rental income in Cameroon are Bastos, Bonanjo / Bonapriso, and parts of Bonamoussadi. These are good places to live, but their purchase prices are high compared with the rent they produce.
Bastos shows the issue clearly. A modeled 3-bedroom property costs 135 million FCFA and rents for 650,000 FCFA per month, giving only 4.0% net yield.
Bonanjo / Bonapriso looks better on gross rent, but net yield is pulled down by purchase price, premium maintenance, security expectations, and vacancy risk. The modeled 3-bedroom net yield is 4.3%, despite 850,000 FCFA monthly rent.
Bonamoussadi is not as expensive as Bonapriso, but its 2-bedroom net yield is only 4.2% in the model. Its appeal is livability and tenant depth, not maximum yield.
The trade-off is that overpriced for yield does not mean bad. Bastos and Bonapriso may still make sense for capital preservation, lifestyle use, prestige, and long-term resale, but they are weaker if the buyer’s main goal is rental income.
Which neighborhoods should I avoid even if the rental yield looks attractive in Cameroon?
A beginner should be careful with Bonabéri, Soa / Nkolbisson, Kribi, Limbe, and far-edge Logbessou / Yassa if the yield looks unusually high. These areas can work, but the headline yield may hide risk.
Bonabéri has the highest modeled 1-bedroom net yield at 5.5%. The risk is access, perception, and resale liquidity, especially if the property is far from main roads or in a weak micro-location.
Soa / Nkolbisson is cheap, with 1-bedroom prices around 15 million FCFA, but demand can be narrow. University-linked demand helps, but it does not automatically support all property types.
Kribi and Limbe can look attractive because furnished and seasonal rents are higher. The dataset uses larger cost deductions there because vacancy, repairs, furnishing, and management are more expensive.
The practical comparison is risk-adjusted yield. A 5.5% net yield in Bonabéri may be less attractive than a 5.0% net yield in Makepe if the Makepe unit rents faster and resells more easily.
Which neighborhoods look risky even though the rental yield is high in Cameroon?
The high-yield but riskier Cameroon neighborhoods are Bonabéri, Kribi beach corridor, Limbe coastal corridor, Soa / Nkolbisson, and outer Logbessou / Yassa. The risk is not always the same in each place.
Bonabéri’s risk is liquidity and micro-location. The modeled yield is strong, but resale demand is weaker than in Bonamoussadi, Makepe, or Bonapriso.
Kribi’s risk is seasonality. The modeled 3-bedroom gross yield is 7.3%, but net yield falls to 4.7% after higher costs, which shows why coastal properties need cautious budgeting.
Limbe’s risk is also seasonal and partly macro-regional. Coastal lifestyle demand exists, but foreign buyers should be stricter about security, management, and occupancy assumptions.
Soa / Nkolbisson’s risk is tenant concentration. Student and university-linked demand can support small units, but larger family homes may take longer to rent.
The safer alternatives are Makepe, Akwa / Deido, Mvan / Ekounou, and Odza / Nsimeyong. Their headline yields may be slightly lower, but tenant depth is stronger.
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What neighborhoods should I avoid when buying a rental property in Cameroon?
For a beginner rental investor in Cameroon, the avoid list is untitled or poorly accessed parts of outer Yassa / Logbessou, weak micro-locations in Bonabéri, speculative Soa / Nkolbisson plots, and poorly managed coastal homes in Kribi or Limbe.
This is not a blanket rejection of these areas. The avoid signal is about property selection, because a finished, titled, road-accessible unit can work while an informal or hard-to-reach property can become difficult to rent and resell.
Outer Yassa / Logbessou can look cheap, but weak road access can reduce tenant demand. Bonabéri can offer high yield, but only if the property is in a practical rental location.
Soa / Nkolbisson works best for small, affordable units near demand anchors. Large houses there may sit longer if they are priced like central Yaoundé alternatives.
Kribi and Limbe should be avoided by beginners unless they have reliable local management. The rental model is more seasonal, and net yield depends heavily on occupancy control.
Which neighborhoods are seeing rental demand weaken, and why, in Cameroon?
Rental demand appears more fragile in premium Bastos, premium Bonapriso, seasonal Kribi / Limbe, and oversupplied outer growth areas. The weakness is not always falling rent, because it can also appear as slower leasing.
Bastos and Bonapriso remain desirable, but affordability is the pressure point. Their modeled 3-bedroom rents of 650,000 FCFA and 850,000 FCFA require high-income tenants.
Kribi and Limbe are exposed to seasonal demand. When tourism, expat movement, or short-stay demand softens, furnished units can take longer to fill.
Outer Douala growth areas can also weaken if too many similar apartments arrive at once. Newer units compete on tiles, water storage, parking, and road access.
The recommendation is to monitor, not automatically avoid. Buy only if the rent assumption is conservative and the property has clear advantages over competing units.
Which neighborhoods are seeing new developments that could create stronger rental demand in Cameroon?
The most development-positive areas in Cameroon are Logbessou / Yassa, Logpom / Kotto, Makepe, Odza / Nsimeyong, Soa / Nkolbisson, and Kribi. These areas benefit from urban expansion, new housing, roads, schools, universities, or tourism infrastructure.
Logbessou / Yassa benefits from Douala expanding outward. That can strengthen rental demand, but it also creates supply risk because many similar mid-market units can be built.
Soa / Nkolbisson benefits from education-linked demand. The risk is that demand is strongest for affordable small units, not necessarily expensive family properties.
Kribi benefits from tourism and port-related activity, but the buyer must separate demand-positive development from supply-heavy construction. More new homes can increase competition as much as demand.
The practical rule is to buy current rent support, not only a future-development story. Once access improvements become obvious, purchase prices often move before rents fully catch up.
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Which neighborhoods are becoming more attractive to renters because of recent infrastructure or transport changes in Cameroon?
The Cameroon areas becoming more attractive from access and infrastructure logic are Yassa / Logbessou, Logpom / Kotto, Odza / Nsimeyong, Soa / Nkolbisson, Kribi, and Limbe. Better access expands the renter pool when it shortens commutes or connects residents to jobs, schools, and services.
In Douala, Yassa / Logbessou and Logpom / Kotto benefit from the city’s outward residential movement. Their modeled 1-bedroom net yields are 5.1% and 5.2%, which is attractive because entry prices remain lower than Bonamoussadi or Bonapriso.
In Yaoundé, Odza / Nsimeyong benefits from practical access and middle-income family demand. A 2-bedroom unit there gives a modeled 4.8% net yield, stronger than Bastos’s 4.3%.
Kribi and Limbe benefit from coastal access and tourism appeal, but the investment case depends on occupancy. Infrastructure helps, but it does not remove seasonal risk.
The trade-off is pricing. Beginners should avoid paying a future infrastructure premium unless current rent already supports the purchase price.
Which neighborhoods have become less attractive for property investors over the last 12 months in Cameroon?
The areas that look less attractive for yield-focused investors are Bastos, Bonanjo / Bonapriso, parts of Bonamoussadi, and overbuilt coastal rental pockets. They remain desirable, but the income case weakens when prices rise faster than rents.
Bastos is the clearest example. Its modeled 1-bedroom net yield is 4.2%, below Mvan / Ekounou’s 5.3%.
Bonanjo / Bonapriso has very high rents, but net yields stay around 4.3% to 4.8% because the purchase price and recurring costs are high.
Bonamoussadi remains a solid residential area, but the 2-bedroom yield is only 4.2% in the model. Buyers pay for tenant depth and recognition rather than high return.
The trade-off is that these areas are still good places to live. They are simply less attractive for a beginner whose priority is rental income per franc invested.
Which property types are becoming harder to rent in Cameroon, and in which neighborhoods?
The property types becoming harder to rent in Cameroon are large premium 3-bedroom units in Bastos and Bonapriso, poorly located large houses in outer suburbs, and furnished coastal homes without professional management.
The table shows why. In Bastos, a modeled 3-bedroom costs 135 million FCFA and produces 4.0% net yield.
In Bonanjo / Bonapriso, a 3-bedroom costs 165 million FCFA and produces 4.3% net yield. These properties need wealthy tenants, which narrows the renter pool.
Large houses in outer Douala and Yaoundé can also be difficult if they are priced above the local renter budget. A 3-bedroom in Logbessou / Yassa or Soa / Nkolbisson can work, but only if rent is realistic.
Coastal furnished homes in Kribi and Limbe can earn strong gross rent, but they are harder to manage. Furniture replacement, vacancy, security, and maintenance reduce the net return.
The better beginner choice is usually a clean 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom apartment in Makepe, Mvan / Ekounou, Odza, Akwa / Deido, or Logpom / Kotto.
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Which bedroom count offers the best balance between entry price, rental yield, and tenant demand in Cameroon?
The best bedroom count for a beginner investor in Cameroon is usually the 1-bedroom property. It offers the best balance of entry price, net yield, tenant depth, and resale flexibility.
The modeled average 1-bedroom purchase price is about 26.8 million FCFA, with average monthly rent around 151,000 FCFA. The average gross yield is 6.8%, and the average net yield is 5.0%.
Two-bedroom properties are the second-best balance. They cost more, around 46.4 million FCFA on average, and produce an average 4.6% net yield.
Three-bedroom properties produce the highest rent, around 395,700 FCFA per month on average, but require much more capital. Their average net yield is only 4.4%, and maintenance is higher.
The trade-off is tenant stability. Three-bedroom homes may keep families longer, but the tenant pool is narrower, so a well-located 1-bedroom or compact 2-bedroom is usually the safer profitability choice for a first Cameroon rental property.
INSIGHTS
These insights are drawn from the Cameroon residential property rental yield dataset, with a focus on what a foreign individual buyer should understand before buying a residential property to rent out.
You’ll find even more insights in our our real estate pack about Cameroon.
- Cameroon 1-bedroom units give the best average net yield, near 5.0%. This matters because smaller units also require less capital and are easier for first-time foreign buyers to understand.
- Douala Bonabéri has the highest modeled 1-bedroom net yield, at 5.5%. The number is attractive, but the buyer still needs strict checks on micro-location, road access, and resale depth.
- Yaoundé Mvan / Ekounou beats Bastos on net yield and entry price. The useful signal is that a lower-prestige area can produce better income if tenant demand remains broad.
- Bastos is liquid and prestigious, but its 3-bedroom net yield falls near 4.0%. For a yield-focused buyer, that makes Bastos more of a stability and prestige market than a maximum-income market.
- Bonapriso rents are high, but purchase prices and costs compress net yield. A high monthly rent does not automatically mean a strong investment return.
- Kribi’s 3-bedroom gross yield is high, but seasonality reduces net yield. The gap between 7.3% gross yield and 4.7% net yield is one of the clearest cost-burden warnings in the dataset.
- Limbe looks attractive on rent, but vacancy risk is higher than in Douala. Coastal lifestyle demand can work, but it needs stronger management and occupancy assumptions.
- Makepe 1-bedroom units balance tenant depth, rent level, and resale liquidity well. That makes Makepe one of the most practical Douala options for beginner rental buyers.
- Logpom / Kotto offers a better beginner entry point than Bonamoussadi. The modeled 1-bedroom entry price is 20 million FCFA, compared with 32 million FCFA in Bonamoussadi.
- Odza / Nsimeyong is Yaoundé’s practical middle-income yield zone. Its 1-bedroom net yield of 5.2% and 2-bedroom net yield of 4.8% make it more income-efficient than Bastos.
- Bonamoussadi is safer than peripheral Douala, but not the highest yielding. Buyers pay for recognition, livability, and tenant depth rather than maximum net return.
- Cameroon 3-bedroom units earn more rent, but yields are lower after costs. The larger the unit, the more repairs, vacancy, furnishing, and tenant-depth risk can reduce net yield.
- Coastal Cameroon properties need stronger vacancy buffers than city apartments. Kribi and Limbe should be treated as more seasonal and management-intensive than standard Douala or Yaoundé apartments.
- Soa / Nkolbisson is cheap, but university-linked demand is narrower. It can work for affordable small units, but it is less convincing for larger family properties.
- Akwa / Deido works best for central Douala tenants, not luxury buyers. Its 2-bedroom net yield of 5.1% is strong because the area monetizes access and daily convenience.
- The same 3-bedroom means different things in Cameroon. It may be an apartment in Bastos, a family unit in Yassa, or a coastal home in Kribi, so the operating cost profile changes materially.
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OUR METHODOLOGY TO BUILD THIS TRACKER
To estimate purchase price, monthly rent, and rental yield in different Cameroon neighborhoods, we built this dataset ourselves from the ground up. We did not reuse a third-party yield dataset. We manually researched current residential sale and rental listings, then organized the data by city, neighborhood, and property type.
For each neighborhood and property type, we collected comparable sale listings from recognized Cameroon property platforms such as Keur-Immo Cameroon, ProprioLink, and Geloka. We used the property categories shown in the tracker, then compared only listings that were reasonably similar in location, property type, size, condition, and listing quality.
We cleaned the sale sample manually. Duplicate listings, unrealistic asking prices, luxury outliers, distressed assets, serviced-style offers, incomplete listings, land-only offers, and clearly non-comparable properties were removed before calculating the estimates.
Sale prices were normalized in FCFA. We used the median price as the main reference where possible, or the average only when the sample was clean enough to avoid distortion from a few unusual listings.
We then built the rental side of the dataset separately. For the same neighborhood and property type, we manually collected rental listings, removed outliers and non-comparable listings, and estimated a realistic monthly rent using the median rent where possible.
Purchase prices and rents were researched separately, then matched by neighborhood and property type. This is important because a cheap purchase listing and an expensive rental listing may not describe the same kind of property, even when both are in the same broad area.
The gross rental yield was calculated as: Gross rental yield = annual rent / estimated purchase price.
To estimate net yield, we avoided applying one flat discount across all segments. The deduction was adjusted by neighborhood and property type because a small urban apartment, a premium apartment, a family house, a coastal furnished home, and a larger villa do not have the same cost structure.
For Cameroon, the net yield adjustment considered vacancy risk, repairs, repainting, plumbing and electrical work, caretaker or security costs where relevant, common-area or compound costs, property tax, leasing costs, management costs, furnishing replacement, road-access risk, and seasonal occupancy for coastal properties.
We also paid close attention to property-level risks that matter for foreign individual buyers. These include clean title, registered ownership, notarial checks, building condition, rainy-season access, security, tenant depth, resale liquidity, and whether the rent assumption is realistic for the exact micro-location.
Each estimate was assigned a confidence level. 30 to 40 comparable listings means higher confidence. 20 to 30 comparable listings means usable but less robust. Fewer than 20 comparable listings means directional only, unless we widened the comparable area to preserve a realistic sample.
These estimates are updated regularly and should be read as structured market estimates, not as guarantees of future rental income. Honesty, quality, and rigor are at the core of our work, and they are also what you will find in our real estate pack about Cameroon.
