Construction projects in N’Djamena face mounting challenges as prices of essential building materials surge across local hardware stores, squeezing household budgets and business investments alike.

The price hike has been particularly sharp in recent weeks. For instance, lambour, once priced at 3,000 FCFA, now costs between 4,500 and 5,000 FCFA. Similarly, chevron has jumped from 6,000 FCFA to 9,000 FCFA, while white planks have risen from 9,000 FCFA to 14,000 FCFA. A bag of Dangote cement now retails at 11,000 FCFA, a significant leap from previous rates.

Hardware store owners point to recent increases in customs duties on imported goods as the primary driver behind these steep price rises. According to merchants, the higher taxes have directly inflated supply costs, forcing them to adjust retail prices accordingly.

« The new tariffs have nearly doubled our expenses, leaving us no choice but to pass the burden to customers, » shares Mahamat, a hardware store operator in N’Djamena.