Dealers in food items are making returns while others still hope for change.  

With the January payout already available to most salary earners, at least civil servants, many were market people who hoped for an improvement in their businesses after an almost market slump of the post end-of-year festivities. If dealers in food items are already rejoicing, for business is bouncing back to normal, those in other sectors, like dealers in dresses, shoes and others, are still to witness a wake up from slumber.

In a sojourn at Mokolo Market in Yaounde on Saturday January 28, Cameroon Tribune noticed an unprecedented influx of buyers into the market, compared to what existed a week ago. Although the market was beehive-like, business people kept complaining of timid take off of business after the end-of-year feasts. If the other sections of the market were still relatively crowded, at least the northern part (food section) was a centre of activities. According to Mama Frida Mburry who sells plantains, banana, yams and cassava, business is gradually regaining its normal euphoria. “Unlike two weeks ago when I auctioned plantains just to get back my capital, people are coming this time around. One week ago, there were days when I barely went home with FCFA 3,500 but since Thursday (January 26), I can sell from FCFA 10,000 upward,” she said. A buyer, who refused to be named, said a bunch of plantains which last week sold at FCFA 1,800 now cost at least FCFA 3,000.     

At the shoe and dress sections, business was timid. According to a seller, Blaise Nkuo, “business is still to bounce back. There are days when we barely go back with FCFA 5,000. Some people who went on break after the December sales are still to resume.” Most of the business people were however unanimous that there are seasons for particular business lines stating that some flexible people change businesses with seasons to continually make returns.