About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Cameroon (hereafter referred to as Cameroon) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
Migrants’ rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Cameroon offers migrants the same access to Government-funded health and education services as nationals, regardless of their migration status.
  • All migrant workers covered by the social security system are entitled to the same social benefits as nationals.
  • All migrants admitted for residence are entitled to submit a request for family reunification or family support.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Only permanent residents have equal access to employment as nationals.
  • Access to public sector jobs is reserved for Cameroonian nationals only.
Key findings
Whole-of-government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The General Delegation for National Security is responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations on entry, stay and exit of foreigners in the national territory.
  • The technical platform responsible for the management of labour migration assesses the level of implementation of conventions related to the issue of migrant workers.
  • The  Ministry of Social Affairs collaborates with the border police to ensure protection of and psychosocial care for all migrants regardless of gender, sex or nationality.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Cameroon does not yet have a national migration policy.
  • Migration data collection and publication is not systematic in Cameroon, and the data is not regularly updated.
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Cameroon participates in the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development.
  • Cameroon has signed migration cooperation agreements with Belgium, Spain and Turkey, among others. 
  • Cameroon and France signed an agreement promoting inter-university exchanges between the higher education institutions of the two countries. 

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • The State does not collaborate with the private sector and social partners on migration-related issues.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Department for the Coordination of Academic Activities recognizes foreign qualifications based on formalized criteria set up by the Ministry of Higher Education.
  • The Economic Resilience Initiative Project promotes the financial inclusion of migrants and their families.
  • The Integrated Support Project for the Informal Sector supports the socioeconomic reintegration of migrants returning from the Mediterranean coast.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • There is no defined programme for the management of labour migration.
  • Specific measures to promote gender equality for migrant workers are not yet in place.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Nationals of another country undergoing a crisis may be received in large numbers in Cameroon without necessarily following the usual immigration procedures. 
  • Cameroonian nationals living abroad can access consular assistance, including registration and emergency support services.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • The Cameroon Department of Civil Protection does not implement measures specific to migrants.
  • The National Contingency Plan does not include specific measures to assist foreigners during crisis and post-crisis phases in the country.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Cameroon authorizes the visa-free entry of nationals of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa into its territory.
  • Cameroon has developed a National Participatory Plan for the fight against the trafficking and exploitation of children.
  • The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education implements the Support Programme for the Return and Integration of Youths from the Diaspora.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • As the electronic visa (online) system is being finalized, an entry visa to Cameroon must be obtained from a diplomatic or consular representation of the country abroad.

2020 October

Migration Governance Profile: The Republic of Cameroon