In the execution of major projects, it is common for a specialized company to require additional resources or complementary skills. Law n° 2025/010 of July 15, 2025, provides essential clarity on this practice, often referred to as "second-tier subcontracting".

The freedom to subcontract one's own services

The Cameroonian legislator recognizes the technical complexity of certain markets. Thus, according to Article 12, Paragraph 1, unless otherwise provided by law or contract, a subcontractor has the full right to further subcontract its own services.

However, this "tiered subcontracting" is strictly regulated to protect the entire chain:

• Substantive and formal conditions: the second-tier subcontractor is subject to the same legal requirements as the original subcontractor.
• Responsibility of the main contractor: Article 12, Paragraph 2 specifies that the first subcontractor is considered a "main contractor" in relation to its own subcontractors.
• Social protection: labor relations with the engaged workforce remain strictly governed by the labor legislation in force.

Acceptance by the principal: a sine qua non condition

While the law does not prohibit this practice,it imposes total transparency toward the final customer (the principal).Article 17 stipulates that the main contractor is obligated to have each subcontractor accepted by the principal.

This validation must occur:

• At the time of contract conclusion.
• Throughout the duration of execution, in the event of a change or the addition of a new partner.

Furthermore, the main contractor remains the guarantor of the chain: they are required to disclose any subcontracting agreement to the principal upon request.

This flexibility offered by the law allows SMEs to group together and mobilize specialized expertise in an agile manner. For companies in our network, this means they can accept large-scale contracts by relying on other local partners, as long as transparency toward the principalis maintained and workers' rights are respected.