Vehicle finance leasing in Cameroon: how it works and who offers it
In Cameroon, car leasing mostly takes the form of finance leases offered to companies and transport operators by around ten providers, led by Alios Finance Cameroun and several commercial banks, with the vehicle owned by the lessor until the purchase option is exercised.
How a finance lease works in Cameroon
The lessor buys the vehicle chosen by the client and rents it to them for an agreed period. At the end, the lessee may exercise the purchase option for a residual value. While the contract runs, the registration stays in the lessor's name.
A market worth about 186 billion CFA francs
According to the Cameroonian business press, outstanding leasing reached around 186 billion CFA francs at the end of 2025, shared among about ten players including at least six banks. Alios Finance Cameroun held close to 28% of it.
Alios Finance Cameroun and other lessors
Alios Finance Cameroun, whose reference shareholder became the CREDAF group in 2025, operates in Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam and Ngaoundere. Several commercial banks also offer leasing through subsidiaries or specialist departments, grouped notably within CAMLEASE.
Taxis, lorries and corridor hauliers
Leasing funds taxis in Douala and Yaounde, intercity buses and lorries using the Douala to N'Djamena or Douala to Bangui corridors. The lessor reviews projected takings, the transport licence and the experience of the driver or operator.
Company fleets and site vehicles
Construction firms, beverage distributors and forestry companies lease their pick-ups, machinery and lorries. Lease payments are deductible as expenses, which appeals to companies taxed under the actual earnings regime with the DGI.
Higher first rent and security deposit
Lessors often ask for an increased first rent, sometimes called a down payment, plus a security deposit. Their size depends on the lessee's profile and the vehicle's resale value, which is higher for models in strong demand in Cameroon.
Comprehensive insurance and vehicle tracking
The lessee must insure the vehicle comprehensively in favour of the lessor and maintain it as the contract specifies. Some lessors fit a GPS tracker, useful for locating a lorry on northern or eastern roads if payments stop.
Payment default: repossessing the vehicle
The sector showed a high rate of non-performing receivables, around 18% according to the specialist press. When payments stop, the lessor, still the owner, can take back the vehicle faster than a bank can enforce a conventional guarantee.
Finance lease or standard car loan?
For a salaried individual in Douala or Yaounde, a bank loan with a pledge recorded on the registration certificate remains the most common formula. The guide to the car loan in Cameroon details this option and its salary domiciliation requirements.
Leasing in an SME financing plan
In Cameroon, leasing often complements a bank working capital loan, a BC-PME loan or public support such as PIAASI. The guide to financing Cameroonian entrepreneurs shows how to combine these solutions for a young company.
Contract length and purchase option
Contracts commonly last three to five years for a light vehicle and can run longer for a heavy goods vehicle. The residual value, fixed at signing, determines the final price at which the lessee buys back the vehicle.
Comparison with the Gabonese market
Gabon, Cameroon's CEMAC neighbour, also has specialist lessors, though its market is smaller. The page on car leasing in Gabon lets you compare practices and providers on either side of the border.
Setting up a vehicle lease in Cameroon
- Choose the vehicle and get a pro forma invoice from a dealer based in Douala or Yaounde.
- Submit the application to a lessor with financial statements, bank statements and revenue forecasts.
- Negotiate the first rent, term, security deposit and residual value of the purchase option.
- Take out comprehensive insurance in favour of the lessor and sign the finance lease contract.
- Take delivery of the vehicle, pay the monthly rents and exercise the purchase option at the end.
What a Cameroonian car lease costs
| Item | Practice | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Increased first rent | Required by most lessors | Profile, vehicle value |
| Monthly rents | Calculated on price, term and residual value | Lessor's rate, term |
| Security deposit | Returned at the end if there is no incident | Lessor's policy |
| Comprehensive insurance | Compulsory, in favour of the lessor | Use, city, value |
| Purchase option | Residual value fixed in the contract | Term, type of vehicle |
Documents for a lease application in Cameroon
- Company RCCM entry, articles of association and NIU
- Financial statements or recent statements of account
- Pro forma invoice for the vehicle
- Transport licence for a taxi, bus or lorry
- Manager's national ID card and personal guarantee where applicable
- Tax compliance certificate
Frequent mistakes in Cameroonian vehicle leasing
- Overestimating the daily takings of a taxi or lorry and failing to cover the rents during the rainy season.
- Neglecting the maintenance set out in the contract, which can lead to penalties or termination by the lessor.
- Subletting the taxi or lorry to another driver without written consent from the lessor, who still owns the vehicle.
- Handing a deposit to a fake leasing broker who promises a vehicle without any assessment of the file.
Lenders to contact
- Société Commerciale de Banque Cameroun (SCB Cameroun): Cameroonian commercial bank, a subsidiary of the Attijariwafa bank group, ranking among the leading players in Cameroon's bank lending market.
- Advans Cameroun: Microfinance institution of the Advans group financing Cameroonian microenterprises and expanding agricultural lending to rural farmers.
- Société Commerciale de Banque Cameroun (SCB Cameroun): Cameroonian commercial bank owned by the Attijariwafa bank group, offering banking services and loans to individuals, professionals and businesses.
Vehicle leasing in Cameroon: answers
Can a private individual lease a car in Cameroon?
Cameroonian leasing mainly targets companies, professionals and transport operators. A few offers exist for individuals with high incomes, but most employees use a bank car loan with a pledge on the registration certificate.
Who owns the car while lease payments are running?
The lessor remains the owner and the registration certificate is in its name. The lessee uses the vehicle and pays for maintenance and insurance, becoming the owner only if the purchase option is exercised at the end of the contract.
Is a down payment needed for a lease in Cameroon?
There is not always a down payment in the strict sense, but an increased first rent and a security deposit are common. Their level depends on the client's financial strength and how easily the financed vehicle can be resold.
Is leasing supervised in Cameroon?
Leasing companies are financial institutions licensed and supervised by COBAC, just like the banks that offer the product. It is wise to check the licence before making any payment.