Cameroon’s markets are a great place to experience its people, and thousands pour in every day looking for the best bargain. The markets sell everything from fresh food to household appliances and hardware. Here are 10 markets in Cameroon that are fun to explore.
Bafoussam is the capital of the Western Region of Cameroon, which is a major food producer. A lot of the food produced here goes to Bafoussam before being transported to other regions. The town is a centre for imported secondhand clothes and shoes, known locally as okrika, and this makes shopping here cheaper than in most urban centres.
This market runs 24/7, but you have less than 30 minutes to shop if you’re travelling by bus. Makenene serves passengers along the Yaoundé–Bamenda highway and offers fruit, grilled food, loud music and quick booze. Make sure you stick to your bus so you don’t get left behind.
Kumba is the most important trading town in the English-speaking region of Cameroon. This hub facilitates imports from Nigeria and plays a big part in cocoa, rubber and palm oil exports. The market is one of the oldest and most famous in the country. It’s also a great place to buy food and clothes.
This market is the centre of activity along Bamenda’s Commercial Avenue. There are shops selling cosmetics, clothes, food, shoes, bags, jewellery, electronics and lots of other items. It’s also the place to go if you want your hair braided. You can walk to Bamenda food market from here.
This market sells handcrafted art, souvenirs, locally made fabric and fresh flowers. Located around the Douala International Airport, it’s perfect for tourists who want to buy memorabilia to take home.
Douala is Cameroon’s economic capital and a major port city. The Marché Central is one of the biggest in the Central African sub-region. Shops are owned by traders from Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Lebanon, Togo, Korea and many other countries.
Mboppi Market is Central Africa’s biggest export–import market. Traders from all over Cameroon and neighbouring countries come here to buy supplies to sell at their local markets.
You can buy almost anything at the Marché Mokolo Yaoundé, one of Cameroon’s busiest markets. If you have the heart for it, you can ask any of the hustlers and they’ll bring you just about anything, but caution is advised. Food also arrives here from suppliers all over the country.
Five floors of shops that are easy to navigate make shopping at the Yaoundé Central Market an enjoyable experience. The shops are divided into departments selling local fabrics, sports gear, electronics and household items.
