By Hans Ngala
Life in Cameroon can be extremely challenging and it shouldn’t be, especially when Cameroonians themselves can make it better. Here’s our CNA compilation of some crucial appliances which every Cameroonian household should own, in order to make their lives much easier on a daily basis:
Water Filters
Water filters do not only help to purify the tap water we get but they can also considerably reduce expenses related to getting the precious liquid. A water filter can cost about 10,000CFA to 15,000CFA for low-cost ones and up to 50,000 CFA for more sophisticated ones. This is far cheaper than having to pay for hospital fees and drugs to treat typhoid.
Washing machines
Washing machines can range from 80,000Frs to 100,000CFA depending on size and brand. But getting a washing machine is not a luxury as some Cameroonian families assume. It is a time-saving necessity. Imagine a Saturday morning when a wife who has other duties could be resting or doing other things, she spends nearly the whole day washing clothes by hand whereas she could have thrown all the laundry into the washing machine, pushed a button and simply come to remove the washed dresses and taken them to the drying line in about 40 minutes.
Blenders
We have all seen the sight of children taking groundnuts, egusi or sliced tomatoes and spices to the local grinding mill. There, the operator charges 50Frs to 500Frs per container of items to be ground. Not only is it unsanitary to move around with an exposed bowl of ingredients – the costs add up by the end of the month especially for a restaurant owner a family that cooks regularly and grinding these spices is a regular routine. With anything from 10,000CFA to 20,000CFA, the family can instead buy a blender that will save them both time and money.
Microwaves
Microwaves make life fast and easy especially for workaholics who do not have the patience to put food in a pot and sit around waiting for the food to heat up. A microwave costs from 30,000CFA to 50,000CFA in Cameroon and especially in a family where kids’ breakfast has to be warmed up before they rush to catch their school bus, this is not just income-saving, it’s also a huge time-saver.
Air-conditioners (those in hot towns)
If you live in the NW where most towns sit at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet above sea level – this probably doesn’t concern you. Temperatures in parts of the NW such as Ndu, Nkambe and Kumbo – can drop to as low as 15 degrees Celsius as opposed to Yaounde and Douala where they climb up to 30 degrees Celsius and sometimes more. So for those in these hotter towns, buying an air conditioner is not an investment in luxury but in a necessity. Installing an air conditioner is no more expensive than having an electric fan that will run all night and consume electricity while doing very little to reduce heat especially in tight houses with little ventilation. An air conditioner can be turned on and then shut off after a while with a lingering coolness that an electric fan does not have.
Cameroonian households often underestimate the long-term value of basic appliances, seeing them as luxuries rather than necessities. Yet, as this list shows, many of these items are far more affordable than assumed and can dramatically improve quality of life. Beyond convenience, they save families time, money, and even safeguard health. For instance, a simple water filter prevents disease, while a washing machine frees up hours that could be spent on more productive tasks. Blenders and microwaves simplify daily cooking routines, making life easier for both workers and students. Air conditioners, though situational, improve living conditions in sweltering towns where productivity often drops due to heat. Investing in such appliances is not just about comfort—it’s about efficiency, well-being, and ultimately progress. A modern household should not be defined by struggle, but by the smart choices that make life healthier, more manageable, and better organized.
