Gay men and lesbians in Cameroon: criminal law, risks and protection

The Cameroonian criminal penalty in detail

Washington writes: "Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by a prison sentence of 6 months to 5 years". The fine ranges from 20,000 to 200,000 CFA francs, or 35 to 353 dollars. The page cites no article number.

What the British government publishes

The FCDO's "Local laws and customs" section on Cameroon, updated on 9 February 2026, contains no text specific to LGBT+ people: it refers to the general British advice for LGBT+ travellers, which should be read before any stay.

Entrapment through apps in Cameroon

British and American authorities report that, in countries that criminalise these relations, fake profiles are used to entrap LGBT+ people, sometimes created by the police. A date accepted too quickly can end in arrest or extortion.

Blackmail and extortion: a twofold danger

The Department of State already describes online scams in Cameroon as common. For an LGBT+ person, a photo or a conversation can become a means of blackmail. Never pay: the threat almost always returns, with a higher sum.

Digital hygiene from Douala to Yaoundé

Use a pseudonym, a strong lock code and two-factor authentication. Delete sensitive conversations and turn off message previews on the lock screen. Send no image showing your face, a distinctive feature, your home or your workplace.

Taimi and its limits in Cameroon

Taimi, an inclusive app for all LGBTQ+ people, accepts only users over 18 and offers a free basic plan. Being on a specialist app gives no protection whatsoever from Cameroonian criminal law or from fake profiles.

A trusted person kept informed

Before any meeting, give a reliable friend your contact's username, the place and the time, and agree on an alert message. If the date suddenly changes location or other people appear, leave immediately.

LGBT+ travellers passing through Cameroon

The Department of State recommends free enrolment in the STEP programme and, in case of arrest, asking for the embassy to be informed. British consular services commit to passing no judgement. Public displays of affection can attract attention.

No same-sex union possible

None of our sources mentions Cameroonian recognition of marriage or partnership between people of the same sex, relations that are themselves criminalised. Diplomatie.gouv.fr notes that such a marriage before a foreign authority is possible in only a small number of countries.

Couples between Cameroon and Europe

A partner living in Cameroon remains exposed even if you live in Europe: every message, every shared photo and every visit counts. The steps and precautions for long-distance couples are set out in our Africa-Europe guide.

Neighbouring Nigeria, an even harsher law

Many Cameroonians have ties with Nigeria, where the FCDO cites up to fourteen years in prison for these relations. Before any cross-border contact, read the situation of gay men and lesbians in Nigeria to know the precise risks.

Overview of Cameroon

Advance-fee scams, verified platforms and the general legal framework are gathered on the Cameroon page. Other situations, divorce or dating after 60, also have dedicated pages, such as senior dating in Cameroon.

Official sources for LGBT+ people in Cameroon

• Département d'État, avis Cameroun: Page of 4 June 2026 stating the prison term and fine provided for same-sex relations.
• FCDO, lois et coutumes au Cameroun: British section of 9 February 2026 that refers to the general advice for LGBT+ travellers.
• FCDO, voyageurs LGBT+: British recommendations on entrapment through apps and non-judgemental consular assistance.
• Département d'État, Gay and Lesbian Travelers: American advice on fake police profiles, monitored venues and the STEP programme.
• Taimi: LGBTQ+ app open to over-18s, free in its basic version, present in 138 countries by its own account.

Staying safe as an LGBT+ person in Cameroon

1. Reread Cameroon's criminal status on the official pages before using an app or travelling.
2. Use a pseudonym and photos showing no face or anything that could locate you.
3. Extend the written exchanges and insist on a video call before agreeing to any meeting.
4. Send a reliable friend the place, the time and the profile of the person you are meeting.
5. Leave at once if the date is moved or if strangers join the meeting.
6. Keep your embassy's number and, if you are American, enrol in the STEP programme.

LGBT+ people and Cameroonian law

Essentials for an LGBT+ traveller in Cameroon

• Valid passport and a copy kept off your phone
• Number of your country's embassy or consulate
• Trusted emergency contact reachable day and night
• Travel insurance certificate with assistance cover
• Accommodation booking in your own name

Serious lapses in Cameroon

• Sending identifiable photos to an online contact: in Cameroon, they can fuel blackmail or a denunciation.
• Accepting a date in a private home or an isolated place suggested by someone you barely know.
• Paying someone who threatens to reveal your orientation, which usually leads to fresh demands.
• Thinking that a specialist LGBT+ app shields you from fake profiles or from criminal law.
• Showing your relationship in public or on social media, at the risk of exposing your partner too.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.