Africa
Cameroon
CCAA — Instruction 12 (drone authorization)
Cameroon requires an authorization from the CCAA (Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority) to use drones, under Instruction 12 (2016).
Confirmed existence of Instruction 12 – 'Demande d'autorisation d'utilisation de drones' (2016) from CCAA, with a dedicated drones section on the official site.
No details on a separate pilot certificate appear on the official page consulted.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: The official page doesn't specify no-fly zones, maximum altitude or distances: contact CCAA before flying.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Only the existence of the authorization document/procedure was confirmed via the official site; maximum altitude, weight thresholds or specific no-fly zones could not be extracted.
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Cameroon, the official reference remains CCAA — Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority. Confirmed existence of Instruction 12 – 'Demande d'autorisation d'utilisation de drones' (2016) from CCAA, with a dedicated drones section on the official site.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by CCAA — Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority. No details on a separate pilot certificate appear on the official page consulted.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.