Buea: Prolonged Scarcity of Domestic Gas Triggers Price Hike

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Buea: Prolonged Scarcity of Domestic Gas Triggers Price Hike

The population does not only struggle to get the commodity but also spends additional amount as the prices have tripled.

18 Aug 2026 13:00

A severe shortage of domestic cooking gas across Buea has driven up retail prices up to three times higher than the government regulated rate, forcing student, families and local business owners into daily struggle for basic survival. The persistent crisis stems from the distribution breakdowns, worsened by the disruptions in supply of the SCTM (red bottle) gas which is widely used. The total absence from the market has caused many retailers in the South West regional capital to increase their prices. While official gas prices remain fixed at FCFA 6,600 illegal black market prices have risen to about FCFA I5,000 to FCFA I7,000 per bottle across several neighbourhoods including Molyko, Bokwai, Great Soppo, Bokwango amongst others and are exploiting consumers. This massive price increase is squeezing household bud get, making life difficult for families, students and small food vendors as they strive to survive. This scarcity has hit very hard on small businesses. Chance line Mantah, a local fast-food vendor in Buea, told Came roon Business Today that she had to stop using cooking gas completely because she could not afford it. She says “I used to buy cooking gas between FCFA 6,600 to FCFA 7,000, but now retailers are demanding for FCFA I5, 000 per bottle which I cannot afford. Even firewood is expensive, and where I live, they don’t allow cooking on fireside...