Domestic Gas Consumption: Scarcity Hits Local Markets

“I s there gas? No, it is finished”. This has been a recent brief but disappoin­ ting exchange between gas vendors and buyers in Yaounde for several weeks now. Most streets filled with men and women carrying va­ ried brands and sizes of gas cylinders on their heads and some attached to bikes’ car­ riages have become a regular sight in neighbourhoods. Consumers like Etoundi Nico­ las just like many others have for over a week now paid se­ veral futile visits to a plethora of gas depots including those at Carrousel in Kondengui, Carrefour Hiptec, Mvan, Ekou­ nou, and Coron localities amongst others, with constant promises to return for a refill the next day. “Today, I am told the wholesale vendor at Hiptec has shut down due to unavailable stock to keep sales afloat,” Etoundi Nicolas lamen­ ted with an empty green gas bottle tied to his bike’s car­ riage. According to a gas wholesaler in Yaounde, Nya Flambeur, some vendors have since June, 2026, depended on the hoar­ ded stock in their ware houses to satisfy consumer demand. He told CT on September 16, 2026 that of his over 5,000 gas cylinders for different sizes and brands, his remaining stock is currently made up of five 12.5 kg and two 15kg bottles of OLA Energy gas. “Once I finish selling these bottles, I will be forced to close my shop till further no­ tice. At least I will stop seeing the disappointing reactions on consumers’ faces who are lamenting the sustainability of their businesses and live­ lihoods,” Flambeur said. The penury, however, is not limited to Yaounde Markets. Merchants in other regions like the South West, report similar ordeals. “We have been out of complete stock for close to two weeks now. Since I began my business 11 years ago, this is the lowest my trade has experienced.” Shey Elvis, a vendor in Buea s...