The re-opening of the Cameroon-Nigeria borders has put smiles on the faces of Douala city dwellers.

Goods from Nigeria are gradually becoming available in markets across the economic capital and port city, Douala. The merchandise started regaining their usual place in the markets last week. At press time, traders at the Mboppi Market, a business hub visited by people in the Central African sub-region, exhibit various brands of products from Nigeria. Cosmetic stores and a few textile shops have new arrivals but their prices still remain high as they were when the borders were closed.

Body oils, hair oils and meshes are among the highly ordered or sought after, according to Dan Pastor, a shopkeeper. A tin of “Sportin waves” which was sold at FCFA 1,000 before the border closure and sold at FCFA 1,500 during the closure period has continued at FCFA 1,500. “Caro light” which before the closure was FCFA 1,000, rose to FCFA 1,200 and is continuing until date even with the reopening of the borders. An “Erato” perfume rose from FCFA 800 through FCFA 1,200 to FCFA 1,300 before, during and after the closure. “Dallas Crème Relaxer” sells for FCFA 400, as against FCFA 350 before the closure.

Dealers in plastic bags popularly called “Ghana-Must-Go,” cutleries and electronics from Nigeria have none of these products in their warehouses. Such products from Asian countries are enjoying their heydays as consumers have turned to them for use. Aguiyi Florence said most of their stocks are on the way into the country from Nigeria. Many of the traders said they are importing mostly products with a quick turnover in order to cover up losses incurred when the borders remained shut.

An importer of wigs, Anthony, foresees future hikes in the prices of products from Nigeria. Border controls have leveraged duty on imported goods irrelevantly high. A bag of mesh which he bought at FCFA 24,000 before the borders were closed is now being levied FCFA 65,000. One consignment of imported goods could cost FCFA 70,000 at most before, but now it is FCFA 165,000 collected altogether at frontier check points. “With this, prices will not so much change on the markets in Cameroon. We should rather expect future hikes. First because higher duties limit importation, then there is natural scarcity on the local markets,” he noted.