Cameroon: Buea is the most expensive city

The city of Buea in the South West region and Garoua in the North region have been listed as the most expensive cities in Cameroon. Figures from the National Statistics Institute (INS) in 2016 indicates that all cities in Cameroon are experiencing inflationary pressures. Buea, the chief city in the South West region recorded the fastest increase in prices (4.3%) followed by Garoua (3.6%), Ebolowa (3.5%), Bamenda (2.9%), Yaoundé ( 2.9%), Douala (2.5%) and Bertoua (25%). 

INS says the rise in the general price level in 2015 stems from soaring prices for transport, goods and services. There was also a rise in prices of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics all placed at 5.9%. The report released on Tuesday February 16, 2016 noted that prices of food products rose 1.9% in 2015 against 1.0% in 2014. Between the first and second semester, food prices rose 1.9%. The rise in prices in 2015 was mainly due to the increase in prices of fruits (6.0%), vegetables (4.9%), fish and seafood (4.3%) and dairy products and eggs (2.5%).

Sugar, honey and chocolate jam (1.7%) also did witness a price increase. The INS attributes the 4.3% increase in the fish and seafood sectors to the sharp increase in prices observed in smoked fish (11.7%). fresh fish prices increase by 0.7% those of frozen fish by 0.5%. The price of meat increased by 1.1%. The price of sheep is experiencing a 3.2% increase from the 2.2% in 2014. The price of pork rose to 2.1%.