(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, has raised concerns over what he described as unjustified price hikes in several major retail chains amid post-election tensions. In a letter dated October 30, 2025, addressed to supermarket owners and managers, he denounced “abusive and unwarranted” increases in consumer prices and announced the immediate deployment of inspection teams.
“It has been brought to my attention, confirmed by several regular customers, that some retailers have taken advantage of the post-election situation to apply unjustified price hikes on goods displayed in their stores,” wrote the minister.
He instructed the national brigade for fraud control and its regional offices to conduct inspections in affected establishments and “restore prices to their previous levels without delay.”
Price increases tied to post-election unrest
The warning follows the unrest that broke out after the announcement of results from the October 12 presidential election, which led to looting, temporary store closures, and supply disruptions. After order was gradually restored, the minister urged retailers on October 29 to resume operations quickly to “ensure the availability of essential goods.”
“All necessary measures have been taken to guarantee the security of people and property,” he said at the time, calling on retailers to avoid speculation and help stabilize prices.
However, several consumer complaints point to sudden increases—ranging from 10% to 25%—on essential goods such as cooking oil, pasta, rice, sugar, and canned food in supermarkets across Douala and Yaoundé.
Crackdown on speculative practices
Market observers say some retail chains may have used the post-election turmoil as a pretext to quietly increase their profit margins, citing logistical risks and supply delays. The Ministry of Trade considers these actions an abuse of market dominance and a breach of price control regulations.
Joint inspection teams from the Ministry of Trade, the Gendarmerie, and regional price control offices are expected to begin investigations in the coming days to check pricing margins, identify violations, and sanction offenders.
With household purchasing power already under strain, the government fears these price increases could trigger broader inflationary pressures and social unrest.
Mbarga Atangana called on retailers to show economic and civic responsibility, stressing that “profiteering from the hardship of citizens is a serious offense subject to administrative and criminal penalties.”
