Trade between the North of Cameroon and Nigeria has drastically dropped following the closure of the border by government to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The closure of the border has led to a sharp reduction in food export like cereals, oil and onions. While Imports like fuel and cars cannot enter Cameroon.
Car dealers and some owners prefer bringing their vehicles from Nigeria rather than the Douala port due to administrative bottlenecks and high clearance duties involved. Communities on the Cameroon border are feeling the inconveniences since they depend on the trans-border business for their livelihood.
Ahmed, a car dealer told CEMAC ECO FINANCE on phone that, “Things have been on a standstill since the border closure. We can’t cross the border because soldiers are keeping guard and they tell us it is due the virus (covid 19).”
The situation has affected customs revenue as officials are finding it hard to meet their targets. Despite achieving 120% in the first quarter of 2020, Seraphine Bello, Head of the Custom sector in the North regions is not soo optimistic over repeating the same result because of the border closure forced by the prevailing pandemic.
“In Gaschiga, for instance, vehicle clearance accounted for 65% of revenues. The figure has fallen by 10%,” Bello says.
Transport fares have also increased while money changing from the Franc CFA to the Naira has reduced. As a result things have become expensive. “Everything is becoming expensive, the price of cars has doubled and so no one wants to buy. Nothing is moving here.” Ahmed lamented. In the meantime, authorities are multiplying measures to contain the spread of the pandemic. While businessmen are pleased that the North region has not yet recorded a case, they are waiting impatiently for the situation to come back normal. The customs administration will obviously reap huge revenues from resurgence of activities.
