Glossary · Cameroon

The terms to know,
one sentence each.

Short definitions of the acronyms and terms you'll see on quotes, invoices, contracts and admin paperwork in Cameroon. A reference page — quote it, send it to a client who doesn't know an acronym, or check it before filling in a form.

MoMoMobile Money · MTN MoMo · Orange Money

MoMo refers to mobile payment services in Cameroon — primarily MTN Mobile Money and Orange Money — which let users send and receive money via a phone number.

In Cameroon, more than 60% of B2C transactions between freelancers and clients run through MoMo. The MoMo number appears on quotes and invoices in place of an IBAN.

→ Quote with MoMo

FCFACFA Franc · XAF · Central African CFA franc

FCFA (CFA franc, ISO code XAF) is the official currency of Cameroon and the five other CEMAC countries. 1 EUR ≈ 656 FCFA, pegged to the euro.

In Cameroon, the thousands separator is a space: «72 000 FCFA», not «72,000 FCFA». The XAF code is used for Stripe declarations and Offer schemas.

OHADAOrganisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa

OHADA is a regional treaty that harmonises commercial law across 17 African countries, including Cameroon. It defines the mandatory information for a quote, an invoice and a commercial contract.

For a Cameroonian freelancer, OHADA mandates: business name of the provider, RCCM or NIU number, date, sequential invoice number, service description, and payment terms.

→ OHADA fields on a quote

NIUUnique Tax ID

The NIU is a tax identifier issued by the General Tax Directorate (DGI) of Cameroon to any individual or entity carrying out economic activity.

To invoice a corporate client or government body beyond a few thousand FCFA, it is generally required. The NIU is requested free of charge online or at the tax office.

→ NIU and RCCM for freelancers

RCCMTrade and Personal Property Credit Register

The RCCM is the official register of traders and companies in Cameroon. The RCCM number identifies a company registered with the commercial court.

A freelancer registered as a sole proprietorship or limited company receives an RCCM number, to be shown on quotes and invoices alongside the NIU.

CNINational ID Card

The CNI is the official identity document for Cameroonian citizens, issued by the General Delegation for National Security.

The Cameroon CNI photo format is 35×45 mm, plain light background, no glasses or headwear. The CNI is used to open a MoMo account, register for an exam, or apply for a passport.

→ How to get a CNI

Quote

A quote is a priced commercial offer sent to a client before the work begins. In Cameroon, it only binds the provider once accepted (signed or confirmed in writing).

An OHADA-compliant quote contains: identity of the parties, detailed service description, unit and total prices in FCFA, validity period, payment terms, and MoMo number where applicable.

→ How to write a quote

Invoice

The invoice is the document issued after the work is delivered, certifying the debt and triggering payment. It is mandatory for any commercial transaction in Cameroon.

The invoice carries the elements of the quote and adds the date of delivery, VAT where applicable, and the payment method. It must be sequentially numbered.

→ Quote vs invoice vs receipt

Receipt

The receipt is the document handed to the client after payment is collected. It proves that the invoice has been settled.

In Cameroon, the receipt is often issued for a MoMo payment: it carries the Mobile Money transaction reference and the date of collection.

Impôt libératoireLump-sum tax

The «impôt libératoire» is a Cameroonian flat-rate tax regime reserved for low-revenue activities (below a threshold set by the finance act).

It is paid once a year and frees the taxpayer from IRPP, the «patente» and VAT on the activity concerned. The rate depends on the activity type and the zone.

→ Filing taxes as a freelancer

IRPPPersonal Income Tax

IRPP is the Cameroonian tax on personal income, paid annually in progressive brackets.

For a freelancer, it applies to net income (revenue minus deductible expenses) when they are not under the «impôt libératoire» regime.

DGIGeneral Tax Directorate

The DGI is the Cameroonian administration in charge of tax assessment, collection and audit. It reports to the Ministry of Finance.

It issues the NIU, runs online declarations via the MyEdgar portal, and applies penalties for non-declaration.

WhatsApp

In Cameroon, WhatsApp is the dominant channel for spontaneous job applications, quotes sent to clients, and payment chases.

For sharing a PDF under 1 MB, WhatsApp is more reliable than email. SangoBureau ships a direct WhatsApp share to the recipient's number.

→ WhatsApp message templates

CyberCyber café

A «cyber» (or cyber café) is a shop that rents an internet-connected computer by the minute, often with printing and scanning services. Widespread in Cameroon for paperwork.

SangoBureau replaces the cyber café trip for creating CVs, quotes, letters, ID photos and scans — straight from your phone.

Sango SARL

Sango SARL is the Cameroonian company behind SangoBureau, based in Douala, a subsidiary of Janolab Studio LLC.

Sango SARL designs and runs SangoBureau's tools for the Cameroonian market. The app is bilingual French + English, distributed for free, with optional SangoPro passes (30 days or 1 year, no auto-renewal).