A young man uses a cellphone as he waits for an appointment at an MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders)-run centre for minor migrants without a family in Pantin outside Paris on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULT
In Cameroon, the customs directorate has achieved a remarkable turnaround in mobile phone taxation, collecting 1.8 billion FCFA (approximately 2.7 million euros) between April and early September 2026. This revenue milestone stems from the newly implemented digitalized declaration and clearance system that replaced the previous system, which generated less than 100 million FCFA monthly. The reform, rooted in fiscal, security, and economic objectives, has sparked significant market reactions while delivering unprecedented financial returns.
Market disruptions: the human cost of reform
At Yaoundé’s bustling Kennedy Avenue marketplace, the epicenter of imported mobile phone sales, vendors like Seydou have encountered substantial challenges. This secondhand phone importer reveals the practical hurdles of the new system: “Our used phones, priced between 20,000 and 25,000 francs, are cleared at the airport, but customs officials often fail to register their serial numbers. Customers later receive blocking notices on their devices.”
Gérard Fontem, another trader, highlights the pricing dilemma: “Consumers now avoid unregistered phones, but they can’t afford the steep prices of registered ones. For some models, prices have nearly doubled from 45,000 to 85,000 francs, forcing us to absorb significant losses.”
Streamlined collection or unfair burden? Inspectors weigh in
Paul Olivier Libii, principal customs inspector and reform focal point at Cameroon’s Directorate General of Customs, dismisses claims of importer hardship. He states: “Those complaining about price increases are entities that previously evaded taxes. Phones previously declared at 66% transaction value have seen price reductions, while tax-evaders used customs duties as a price-setting variable against compliant importers. This reform levels the playing field.”
The new mechanism represents a digitalized collection overhaul, not a tax hike, Libii emphasizes: “Transaction values were divided by four or seven, creating eight collection categories ranging from 5,000 to 400,000 francs. The overall rate dropped from 67% to 33.33%, making compliance accessible. We anticipate recovering five million previously untaxed phones through this system.”
Economic benefits versus market resistance
- Revenue surge: 1.8 billion FCFA collected in five months, a 1700% increase compared to pre-reform collections
- Market formalization: Digital registration closes loopholes for tax evasion and counterfeit devices
- Consumer protection: Serial number tracking combats device theft and fraud
- Trade equity: Previous tax arbitrage opportunities eliminated for non-compliant importers
The customs authority remains committed to refining the system despite pushback from informal sector players who benefited from the previous ambiguity.
What’s next for Cameroon’s mobile market?
With customs having collected more in five months than the previous system generated annually, the momentum is irreversible. The challenge ahead involves balancing fiscal objectives with market stability to prevent long-term consumer alienation while maintaining revenue integrity. The new system’s success will ultimately depend on sustained digital infrastructure investment and stakeholder adaptation.
