The Republic of Cameroon was the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with the Sovereign Order of Malta, officially beginning in 1961. The Order’s humanitarian presence in the country began shortly after, in 1969, with social and healthcare initiatives led primarily by Ordre de Malte France.

A postal cooperation agreement was signed in 1987, further strengthening institutional ties.

A major milestone was reached in February 2006, when the Grand Master, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, made an official state visit to Cameroon. He was received by President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya. During this visit, the Grand Master inaugurated the Saint-Jean-de-Malte Hospital, a pediatric oncology center in Njombé, and visited the Order’s humanitarian projects in Yaoundé and Mokolo. The visit concluded with the Order of Malta’s Regional Conference for Africa, co-chaired by the Cameroonian Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni and attended by representatives of the WHO, African Union, and the First Bank of Cameroon.

On February 22, 2007, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Order and the Chantal Biya Foundation to enhance collaboration with its Mother and Child Center. Later that year, on May 31, 2007, a broader cooperation convention was signed to serve as a framework for the development of humanitarian and healthcare efforts.
In July 2018, the Grand Master, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, arrived in Cameroon for a state visit. Welcomed by Prime Minister Philémon Yang and President Paul Biya, he engaged in discussions focused on strengthening the long-standing cooperation between the two entities and expanding humanitarian and healthcare assistance. The Grand Master also met with the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Mario Murat.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 3, 2020, the Emergency Medical Team of Malteser International was deployed to support Cameroon’s health authorities. The team was officially received by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and Health Minister Malachie Manaouda.

From June 1–6, 2023, the Grand Hospitaller, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, visited Cameroon to inspect healthcare facilities and engage in meetings with local authorities, reinforcing long-term cooperation.

Most recently, from June 7–10, 2024, Grand Commander Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau visited Cameroon for spiritual and institutional meetings. He met with Prime Minister Dion Ngute to reaffirm the enduring partnership and the Order’s key humanitarian activities in Cameroon, including the Saint-Jean-de-Malte Hospital and the Rohan-Chabot center in Mokolo. On this occasion, the Prime Minister received the Grand Officer Cross pro Merito Melitense.