Private universities and institutes in Cameroon
The private sector takes about three in ten Cameroonian students. It brings together long-standing church universities, vocational institutes and hundreds of small schools preparing students for the BTS or HND. What they have in common is that none of them can award a national degree on its own. This page explains the legal framework, presents the best-known institutions and shows how to avoid unauthorised courses.
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The legal framework
Private higher education institutes (IPES) are governed by Decree No. 2001/832/PM of 19 September 2001, which sets their common rules, and by Orientation Law No. 2023/007 of 25 July 2023. Its Article 20 gives the state a monopoly on awarding degrees: an IPES may teach, but bachelor's and master's degrees are awarded under the academic supervision of a state university, with which it signs an agreement. In 2022, for example, the University of Yaoundé II took ten institutes under its wing, including the Institut universitaire Siantou. A National Commission for Private Higher Education (CNESP) reviews applications and imposes sanctions.
On 14 October 2026 a consultation chaired by the minister agreed three guidelines for this oversight: simplify the signing of agreements, strictly control the number of students enrolled under them, and share the financial costs between state university and IPES by mutual agreement. In April 2026 MINESUP also pointed out that no private institution is authorised to offer doctoral (PhD) training, nor is any ‘offshore’ doctoral programme.
How many private institutions?
The list published by MINESUP, organised by region, contains around 430 IPES; it is undated. The same figure of 430 IPES was cited in June 2025 by Forbes Afrique and in August 2025 by Team France Export. According to Forbes Afrique, citing MINESUP and the INS, 71% of students are enrolled in public institutions, leaving about 29% in the private sector.
The best-known institutions
| Institution | City | Founded | Fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC) | Yaoundé (also a Douala campus) | 1991, after a 1989 Holy See-Cameroon agreement | Social sciences and management, theology, philosophy, engineering (UCAC-ICAM), health |
| Protestant University of Central Africa (UPAC) | Yaoundé | Faculty of theology in 1962; university recognised by order of 21 September 2007 | Theology, social sciences and international relations, ICT, health |
| Cosendai Adventist University | Nanga-Eboko | 1996 | Seventh-day Adventist university |
| Université des Montagnes (UdM) | Bangangté | 2000, by the AED association | Health (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary), science and technology; 225 health places in 2026-2027 |
| Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) | Bamenda (health school in Kumbo) | 2010, opened October 2011 | Arts, sciences, professional courses; medicine in Kumbo (50 places in 2026-2027) |
| Saint Jerome Catholic University Institute | Douala | 2010 according to university directories | Catholic institute, on the MINESUP list |
| Institut universitaire Siantou | Yaoundé | 1991, by Lucien Wantou Siantou | Under University of Yaoundé II supervision since 2022 |
| Institut universitaire de la Côte (IUC) | Douala | 2002 | Bilingual vocational courses |
| ICT University | Yaoundé | 2010; MINESUP authorisation of 21 September 2012 | Information technology; entrance exam under Dschang's FASA supervision in 2026 |
As a special case, the African Institute of Computer Science (IAI-Cameroun) is an inter-state institution rather than an IPES. After rumours online, MINESUP confirmed on 15 July 2026 that its qualifications are recognised. Private-sector tuition fees are covered on the page on the cost of higher education.
Sanctions and closures
- September 2018: MINESUP publishes a list of IPES ‘in an irregular situation’, for unauthorised courses or observed failings.
- August 2024: after its 30th session, the CNESP sanctions nine institutes, according to Cameroon Tribune, for fake transcripts, fake diplomas or unauthorised courses. The International University of Bamenda is closed for three years.
- 1 October 2026: the minister denounces institutes, including JSF Polytechnic of Buea, CHITECHMA University, Hope University Institute, Bernice University of Buea and Kesmonds International University, for suggesting the HND or BTS could be obtained entirely online.
- 13 October 2026: the Spanish foundation FUNIBER, based in Yaoundé since 2015, is declared closed for offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral courses online without authorisation.
How to check that a school is accredited
- Look the institution up in the list of IPES published on minesup.gov.cm, organised by region.
- Check that the course itself is authorised: an accredited IPES can be sanctioned for running a course without permission.
- Ask which state university provides academic supervision and will award the degree.
- Be wary of doctorates offered by private institutions and of ‘100% online’ BTS or HND courses, which the ministry says are not recognised.
- If in doubt, contact MINESUP in Yaoundé: the Directorate for the Development of Higher Education (13th floor) or the General Inspectorate of Academic Affairs (9th floor).
Frequently asked questions
How many private universities are there in Cameroon?
The MINESUP list contains around 430 private higher education institutes (IPES), a figure cited in 2025. Most are institutes rather than universities in the strict sense.
How do you know if a school is recognised by MINESUP?
Check the IPES list on minesup.gov.cm, make sure the course is authorised and ask which state university awards the degree. MINESUP also answers queries in person in Yaoundé.
Can a private university award a doctorate in Cameroon?
No. In April 2026 MINESUP stated that no private institution is authorised to provide doctoral training and that such degrees would not be recognised.
Can you do a BTS or HND online in Cameroon?
Not entirely. On 1 October 2026 MINESUP denounced institutes suggesting otherwise and announced sanctions.
What is the oldest private university in Cameroon?
UPAC grew out of the Protestant faculty of theology opened in Yaoundé on 17 February 1962, which its sources describe as the country's first university institution. It became a university in 2007.
Handle with care
The MINESUP list of IPES is undated, and the figure of 430 may not reflect recent openings and closures. Saint Jerome's founding year comes from university directories rather than an official source. Only five of the nine institutes sanctioned in August 2024 are named in the freely accessible part of the article.