Since the enactment of Law n° 2025/010 on July 15, 2025, the Cameroonian contractual landscape has been equipped with a rigorous framework. For economic players, one essential question remains: exactly when does this law apply? Articles 6 and 7 of the said law provide key clarifications on its scope of application.

A broad and diverse scope

Article 6 stipulates that the law governs a wide range of contractual relationships, ensuring that subcontracting is regulated within the most vital sectors of our economy.

The law applies mandatorily to the following cases:

• Business contracts: notably commercial contracts between individuals or legal entities.
• Public sector: contracts awarded by public enterprises, public establishments, and Decentralized Territorial Authorities (CTDs).
• Public services: contracts concluded within the framework of public service delegations, as well as public-private partnership contracts (subject to specific regulations).
• Strategic sectors: projects in the mining, gas, oil, and energy sectors.
• State incentives: any project benefiting from state support, whether through tax or customs advantages.
• Public procurement: the law also applies here, subject to the specific provisions governing this sector.

Legal exceptions

While the law is generally applicable, the legislator has provided notable exceptions to respect Cameroon's international commitments and diplomatic sovereignty.

• International conventions: Article 7 clarifies an important legal hierarchy: the law only applies to contracts concluded under international conventions or financing agreements signed with technical and financial partners for provisions that do not conflict with said conventions. In the event of a conflict, international agreements take precedence.
• Specific exclusions: It is important to note that the provisions of this law do not apply to contracts awarded by diplomatic missions and consular posts.

For SMEs and contractors, the rule is as follows: as long as a subcontracting contract involves a commercial, industrial, or public service activity on national territory (excluding diplomacy), it must comply with the 2025 regime. Adherence to this framework guarantees increased legal security and better integration of local businesses into the country's major structural projects.