Individuals buy them for decoration, show of national pride and various other uses. Getting to know that flags can be sold may not be taken serious for a business that commands enormous profit in the first place. Far from being a commodity, securing a national flag for home or office decoration and show-off during special events gives a sense of increasing patriotism and national pride among Cameroonians.

In the commercial neighbourhood of Douala, Akwa, the business practiced mostly by stamp sellers and a few individuals who have taken upon themselves to print and hand sew national and foreign flags is flourishing one. Rise in flag marketing is shown by the fact that every busy street in Akwa, and there are many such streets, is branded with various national colours from poles and pillars.

Tamo, one of the flag sellers who also hawks different flag sizes to select from – ranging from a table fag to a six-yard size and many more options in-between, reveals that the business booms during sport events and especially when the Indomitable Lions are winning and during schools’ reopening. Football fans who buy flags of small sizes to much larger ones flew them around for a show of national dignity, pride and patriotism. He further says he sells on average 6 flags of large sizes a weeks during schools’ reopening and more of them as well as several small ones during football matches in which the Indomitable Lions wins.

Another seller, Tabou, who says joblessness forced him into the trade, says a large flag of about a metre and a half is sells at FCFA 3,500 while a neatly printed flag of such a dimension sells even more. A small one sells for FCFA 500 and it is used widely in taxis, cars and sitting rooms. “Today, I am hosting a large family in Douala all depending on me and we eke on,” he explains.

International flags are commanded for by foreigners such as marine officers who placed them on ships. However, some Cameroonians go after American flag, French flag, etc. The flags, they say, are digitally printed and hand sewn, as well as some retailed are textile printed flags by the Cameroon textile industry (CICAM) produced to offer more adaptability, intensity and quality, with a long lasting finish.

Their means does not allow them to produce to military standard national flags usually made from woven and knitted polyester fabrics manufactured with care by skilled designers and machinists. Ideal for use in schools, embassies, and at sporting events, national flags send out an instant visual message and add a sense of occasion.