Builders and homeowners in N’Djamena are facing mounting challenges as construction material prices surge in local hardware stores, pushing budgets beyond limits and delaying critical projects.
Prices skyrocket across essential materials
Recent weeks have seen sharp increases in key construction supplies. Lambour, once priced at 3,000 FCFA, now ranges between 4,500 and 5,000 FCFA. Chevron has jumped from 6,000 to 9,000 FCFA, while white planks have climbed from 9,000 to 14,000 FCFA. A bag of Dangote cement now costs 11,000 FCFA—up from previous levels.
Customs duties drive cost surge
Hardware store owners attribute the steep price hikes primarily to recent increases in import duties. These higher tariffs have directly inflated supply costs, making materials less affordable for both individual buyers and businesses.
« The new customs rates have doubled, making it far more expensive to bring in materials, » says Mahamat, a hardware store manager in N’Djamena. « This has created a ripple effect across the entire construction sector. »