(Business in Cameroon) - According to the Hydrocarbon Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund (CSPH), in the last five years, Cameroon has imported 259,000 metric tonnes of domestic gas for local consumption.

The shipments brought in to fill the production deficit of Société nationale de raffinage (Sonara), which only produces between 10,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes (subsidised by the State and not by CSPH) for a demand estimated at 80,000 metric tonnes, cost the CSPH 106 billion FCFA in subsidies for the imported domestic gas.

Indeed, based on the real price for this product, a 12 kg cylinder would cost the consumer 11,200 FCFA compared to the official price of 6,000 FCFA adopted in 2006, which was raised on July 1 to 6,500 FCFA.

According to the CSPH, domestic gas is subsidised by the government because it is a tool against desertification in the northern region (where the use of wood for heating is harmful to the environment) and deforestation in the southern region of Cameroon.