In N’Djamena, the cost of essential building materials is experiencing a significant surge across hardware stores, posing considerable challenges for both residential and commercial construction projects.
Over recent weeks, numerous products have shown substantial price hikes. For instance, lambour, which previously sold for 3,000 FCFA, is now retailing between 4,500 and 5,000 FCFA. Chevron prices have climbed from 6,000 to 9,000 FCFA, while planche blanche has jumped from 9,000 to 14,000 FCFA. A bag of Dangote cement is currently priced at 11,000 FCFA.
Hardware store managers attribute this sharp escalation in prices primarily to the increased customs duties imposed on imported goods. They explain that these new tariffs have considerably inflated their procurement expenses.
Mahamat, who manages a local hardware outlet, confirmed the situation, stating, “Prices have escalated due to the new customs tariffs, which have effectively doubled.”
