Indeed, French merchandise exports to CEMAC countries stood at 1.627 billion euros (-4.4%), while imports from CEMAC plummeted 25.4% to 1.4 billion euros. This represents a trade surplus of 216 million euros (approximately 141.6 billion FCFA) for France during the review year. France recorded a surplus of 216 million euros in its trade exchanges with the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) countries in 2024, after two years of deficit. This turnaround is mainly due to the evolution of trade with Cameroon, which went from a deficit of 343 million euros in 2023 to a surplus of 58 million euros in 2024. The increase in the trade surplus with Gabon and the reduction in the deficit with Equatorial Guinea also contributed to this result. Trade exchanges between France and CEMAC countries totaled 3 billion euros in 2024, down 15% from 2023. However, the surpluses with the Congo and the Central African Republic slightly decreased, going from 314 million euros in 2023 to 305 million euros in 2024, and from 22 million euros in 2023 to 19 million euros in 2024. Meanwhile, the deficit with Chad worsened, going from 297 million euros in 2023 to 510 million euros in 2024, according to the French Treasury.the decline in sales to CEMAC countries is widespread. Gabon is the largest importer with 566 million euros, followed by Cameroon with 551 million euros. The Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic also experienced significant declines in imports. This decline is mainly attributed to decreased exports of pharmaceutical products, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and aquaculture.The decline in CEMAC exports is explained by a 42% decrease in total hydrocarbon purchases (62% of French imports) by France, reaching 874 million euros. "This trend is associated with both a decrease in production by the main oil-producing countries in the region and a decline in oil prices since 2022, a record year, indicates the aforementioned analysis note

christelle koambi