Hire Contractors In Cameroon

Cameroon, also known as ‘Africa in miniature,’ is a fantastic place to hire contractors. It is an emerging hub for remote talent, with skilled professionals across several industries, especially the services sector. 

In addition, Cameroon recently received generous investment from UNESCO and the African Development Bank. The goal is to enhance the quality of education in this country. A highly educated workforce equals enhanced productivity and better organizational innovation capabilities.

Here, we will discuss the various ways of contractor outsourcing in Cameroon in which you can easily hire contractors in Cameroon. This will include the challenges that businesses commonly face and the associated solutions.

How to Hire Contractors in Cameroon

There are two main ways by which companies can hire Cameroon contractors,

• Direct hiring by setting up a subsidiary company or
• Hiring contractors through an agent of record in Cameroon.

Direct hiring contractors: setting up a subsidiary 

Here are some steps involved in setting up a subsidiary in Cameroon.

• Preparation of documents: Request for criminal certificate and certified copies, notarized taxed agreement.
• Application and notarized articles of association: Make sure that the notarized articles of association are properly taxed and stamped.
• Company registration in the Trade Register (RCCM)
• Publication in the official gazette or legal notices

Once these formalities are completed, you can begin with the hiring tasks. 

If you’re thinking - “how to find contractors in Cameroon?” You must first post the project requirements on job platforms in Cameroon, like Indeed or Ever-Jobs Cameroon. 

Then, shortlist potential candidates from job applicants through interviews. Finally, onboard the new hires and complete all the paperwork.

Directly hiring a contingent contractor in Cameroon suits companies with long-term business goals.

Hiring contractors through Skuad AOR

Another way of hiring independent contractors in Cameroon is through an agent of record like Skuad. 

We already have an established presence in this country, so you do not have to deal with the expenses or the complicated registration process.

In addition, Skuad also features various other capabilities that streamline the entire international hiring journey. They include,

• 100% compliance with local labor laws
• Digitally onboarding any new hire instantly, 
• Bullet-proof security and data privacy
• Built-in IP protection for your business
• Organized contractor processes, including expense approvals, reimbursement, invoicing, and more.

How to pay contractors in Cameroon

You can pay your Cameroon contractor through direct bank transfers, cash, checks, or digital payment platforms. 

However, this approach usually involves a lot of paperwork related to contractor tax in Cameroon, deductions, and other issues, which can often become confusing. 

Additionally, you must be aware of other nuances of international contractor payment processing, like the currency exchange rates.

An easier and cost-effective alternative to this is paying an independent contractor in Cameroon through Skuad AOR. Our global payroll solution features robust capabilities, like

• Multi-currency payments.
• Automated contractor invoicing
• 100% regulatory compliance
• Contractor benefits and time off management,
• Simplified expense tracking and management.

Hiring Contractors Directly vs Hiring Contractors with Skuad

Moving on, here is a table that will highlight the differences between direct hiring contractors and utilizing Skuad’s AOR solution

Cost of Hiring Contractors in Cameroon

The cost of hiring a contractor in Cameroon depends on a lot of factors like,

• The method of hiring: If you are hiring contractors directly, the cost will automatically be higher. You will have to incur all expenses related to registering your business, setting up an entity, sourcing candidates, onboarding them, contractor salary in Cameroon, and so on.
• The experience level of the contractor: An independent contractor who has a proven track record of work experience will charge higher than someone who has started their career as a freelancer.
• The type of project: The requirements of your project can also influence the cost of hiring contractors. Tasks that require a highly specialized skill set will require greater compensation than generic projects.

In addition, the industry type or the location from which you are hiring can also affect the cost of hiring an independent contractor in Cameroon.

How to Convert a Contractor into an Employee in Cameroon

Here, we have highlighted some of the many steps involved in switching a 1099 worker to a W2 employee.

• Research the relevant laws of Cameroon: Carefully go through the provisions laid out in the labor laws of Cameroon so that you can ensure thorough compliance.
• Make an offer to the contractor: Discuss this switch with your contractor. Discuss the benefits of this transition, what the role entails, employee perks, compensation package, and so on.
• Draft an employment contract: If the contractor agrees to this switch, create an employment contract highlighting all essential terms and conditions, like working hours, termination and notice period, and overtime policy, among others.
• Collect employee information: Procure necessary personal information from the contractor to begin the background verification onboarding process. This includes their academic credentials, criminal records, credit records, etc.‍
• Add them to the payroll: After completing all the contractor onboarding formalities, add the new employee to your company’s payroll system.

Challenges of Hiring Contractors in Cameroon

Here are some challenges businesses face when hiring contractors in Cameroon.

1) Understanding the worker classification in Cameroon

The Labor Code and the Common Law are the two main regulations that guide labor relationships in Cameroon. Currently, the 1992 Labor Code does not cover all class workers in the country. Individuals not covered by the code are not subject to its provisions. 

Individuals are considered employees when there is an employment contract or a contract of services in place. Independent contractors in Cameroon, on the other hand, are bound by a contract for services. It is very important for all employers to maintain this distinction because of three main reasons,

• Anyone who is not covered under the 1992 Labor Code cannot abruptly claim that their contract has been terminated wrongfully.
• The concept of vicarious liability is only applicable to the employer-worker relationship.
• An independent contractor is not subject to the same rights and obligations as an employee.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for employers to maintain this distinction. This is even more true when you lack a legal team that will help you understand the many provisions of the labor regulations of this country. 

An alternative is to partner with contractor management software to help you hire international contractors. However, this can be very costly if you are under budget constraints.

2) Tax requirements for independent contractors in Cameroon

Generally, if an individual works under a permanent contract in Cameroon, the employer handles all their taxes under the PAYE system. They calculate and process the taxes on the employee’s behalf and send them a net wage.

But, this does not apply to an independent contractor in Cameroon. They are required to file and process their own taxes. The personal income tax rate ranges from 11% to 38.5%.

This poses an additional challenge for employers, who must ensure that each contractor processes the right amount of taxes and submits accurate documentation promptly.

This becomes even more difficult when hiring more than one contractor at a time. Therefore, most businesses utilize contractor management platforms to manage international contractor taxation. This allows them to avoid late penalties and fines.

3) Low English proficiency in Cameroon

French and English are Cameroon's two official languages. However, French is by far the most understood language in the country, and the concentration of English-speaking individuals is significantly low. 

This can pose a significant barrier for international companies that wish to hire contractors in Cameroon. It can also lead to communication challenges, including understanding job descriptions and managing an organization's workforce.

Hire Contractors in Cameroon with Skuad

Skuad’s all-in-one solution enables you to hire, pay, and manage international contractors anywhere. With our exclusive network, you can get introduced to the right people for your organization.

Once you have selected the candidates, we will onboard them quickly and efficiently, all while maintaining compliance with the local labor laws and regulations. 

Additionally, Skuad offers bulletproof data security and privacy. We ensure 100% security, processing integrity, and confidentiality for all our clients.

So, book a demo with us today and enjoy a seamless and compliant international hiring experience.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage rate in Cameroon?

As of 2025, the minimum wage rate in Cameroon is set at FCFA43,969 per month.

Can I hire a foreign contractor?

Yes, you can hire a foreign contractor. It is an effective way to fulfill your business project requirements without incurring huge costs.

How to pay an international contractor?

The best way to pay an international contractor is through Skuad’s global payroll solution. We feature multi-currency payments, 100% regulatory compliance, automated contractor invoicing, and more.

Do I need to send a 1099 to a foreign contractor?

You need to send a 1099 form to a foreign contractor under two scenarios: if the worker is a US citizen and is not a US citizen but provides services within the vicinity of the United States.