Law No. 80-21 of 14 july 1980 to amend certain provisions of ordinance No. 74-1 of july 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure
The National Assembly has liberated and adopted the president of the republic hereby enacts the law set out below:
1. The provisions of Article 10 (new) of ordinance N°.74-1 of 6 july 1974 to establish rules governing land tenure, as amended by ordinance N°.77-1 of 10 january 1977, are hereby amended and replaced by the following new provisions :
10 (new).- Natural persons and corporat bodies of foreign nationality or incorporation wishing to invest in cameroon as well as diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations may conclude lease agreements or purchase landed property, except in the border areas.
Deeds drawn up for this purpose shall be null and void unless they bear:
– The endorsement of the minister in charge of lands as concerns private individuals ;
– The rendorsement of minister of foreign Affairs and the minister in charge of lands as concerns the diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations.
(2) provided that the acquisitions of landed property by diplomatic and consular missions accredited to Cameroon shall be authorized only on a reciprocal basis. The total area of land to be ceded shall not exceed 10,000 square meters for each mission, save as otherwise decided by the Government.
(3) In the event of resale, the state shall have a pre-emtive right of purchase over the property taking account of the initial price, developments carried out, and amortization. Deeds drawn up for this purpose shall, be null and void unless they are submitted for prior approval to the Minister in charge lands.
(4) The purchases referred to above shall not entail the alienation of the resources of the subsoil.
2. This law shall be registered and published in the Official Gazette in French and English.
Yaoundé, 14 july 1980
AHMADOU AHIDJO
President of the Republic
