Although the Nigerian market of 240 million inhabitants is the leading African supplier to Yaounde, with $149.8 billion in exports recorded in 2024, the weight of goods from the neighboring territory barely accounts for 3% of Cameroon's total imports of $4,999.4 billion. The trade balance remains largely in favor of Abuja, with Cameroonian demand mainly absorbing liquid fuels and lubricants, accounting for 67.4%, accompanied by salt, sulfur, and clinker, which account for 16.7% of purchases.

 From the tax administration's perspective, the reopening of strategic border posts confirms the resumption of legal activity. The collections of the Limani customs office in the Far North region have increased from $40 million at the beginning of 2021 to $830 million at the end of the same year, reaching $1 billion at the end of the 2023 fiscal year, approaching the $1.114 billion collected annually before the security crises.

By streamlining the movement of freight trucks along the national road, transport operators reduce waiting times at bilateral control posts. The decrease in shipping costs for hydrocarbons and construction materials lowers the cost of goods sold in northern markets.

The formalization of cross-border trade allows for the collection of customs duties on flows that were previously diverted by smuggling. The intensification of transit trade consolidates regional economic integration while securing the supply of industrial enterprises in the CEMAC zone.


BCN

Tags: cameroun nigeria economie commerce frontieres douanes integration regionale cemac marche africain developpement economique