Cameroons’ economy in peril after hosting AFCON2021
By Nukapuh P
On January 9, 2022, Cameroon hosted the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in five major cities across the country – a hosting the Confederation of African Football judged as one of the best ever.
But a year after, the economy of Cameroon is in trouble, as inflation is eating up the country.
Locals are now of the opinion that AFCON brought hardship, frustration and more trouble to them. Infact, some say all they feel is the negative impact the organization of the competition left.
According to Mama Veronica, a trader at the Bamenda Food market, prices of basic food commodities immediately skyrocketed after the competition ended:
“It all started with little things like maggie, we had to start selling 4 for 50frs instead of 5. Later on sugar was the same. The one that surprises us till date is oil. We usually sold a liter for 1200frs, but today it is 1800frs, I don’t know what is going on in this country”.
Other stuffs like cement, fuel, gas, zinc and some construction materials have also witnessed a drastic increase in price as compared to before AFCON.
When these prices witnessed an increase, the government of Cameroon through the ministry of trade said they are trying to regularise the situation, but a year after, the economy keeps crumbling.
Some Cameroonians are of the opinion that a lot of money was spent on stadiums and other infrastructure and today the country is unabxle to stand on its feet. With the MAGIL construction company recently putting an end to their works at the Olembe stadium after billions were spent, Cameroonians wonder if all this was ever worth the trouble.
Read also: <strong>Olembe Sports Complex: MAGIL threatens sports ministry with international lawsuit</strong>
