On working visit to Yaounde: Chad, Cameroon customs chat ways to fluidify trade.

Officials from the two customs administrations took the commitment after a deep reflection during a working session in Yaounde on Tuesday, June 2. 

The session was organised a part of working visit of a Chadian delegation to Cameroon led by its Customs Director General, Ousman Brahim Djouma. The technical meeting was chaired by the Cameroon’s Customs DG, Edwin Fongod Nuvaga.

During the session, the experts looked at the shared responsibilities of two administrations to make the Cameroon-Chad corridor safer, more fluid, transparent.

They also explored ways to make it a more competitive transit route for the benefit of both nations, their economic operators, and for sub-regional integration.

The smooth flow, security and predictability of transit operations of the landlocked country, whose significant proportion of foreign trade passes through Cameroon’s ports and logistics infrastructure, are said to be facing major challenges. 

With 80% to 75% of Chadian imported goods pass through the ports of Kribi and Douala, the Chadian delegation said it was necessary to examine in detail several issues affecting the performance of the Kribi-Douala-N’Djamena corridor and the efficiency of customs procedures between the friendly countries. 

Enter Chadian Customs boss

According to Djouma, the visit to Cameroon is manifold and falls in line with a partnership related to the circulation of goods between Cameroon and Chad, established by both countries customs authorities as well as to modernise and interconnect the customs systems used in Chad (SYDONIA World) and the system used by Cameroon (CAMCIS).

He then expressed gratitude to his colleague of the Cameroon Customs for willingness to cooperate and for his determination to strengthen operational cooperation between their services. 

“The guidance he has provided to his staff, particularly regarding the fight against smuggling on the Logone River, the reduction of processing times for transit permits at Fotokol, strengthening collaboration between the surveillance services in Kousseri and N’djamena, as well as his commitment to examining the issues surrounding the warehouses in Ngaoundéré, and cargoes remaining in Cameroonian ports for extended periods, are strong signals that reflect our shared determination to provide concrete solutions to the concerns of users of the corridor,” Chadian Customs boss said.

Enticed by Cameroon’s new phone tax

Ousman Brahim Djouma also voiced the admiration for Cameroon’s introduction of a new dynamic mobile phone taxation system. 

He avowed that they have been inspired by this new tax collection mechanism that is securing and revenue generation, and are looking to replicate in their country.

“This is the reality of someone who already has the experience, someone who has already succeeded in this endeavour, so that we can take guidance and advice in order to implement or plan another system on the ground there, so as to adapt it. I would like to pay tribute to my colleague from Cameroon, particularly for this system which generates significant revenue for Cameroon. I believe that in the near future, Chad too will benefit from this revenue,” he said.

Cameroon commits to cooperating

Earlier in his address, the Cameroon Customs DG, Edwin Fongod, reaffirmed the readiness of his administration to continue its cooperation with Chad Customs, in a spirit of trust, reciprocity, and efficiency.

He said the topical issues for deliberation are not limited to quality of data exchanged between the systems, reliability of transit documents, traceability of cargo, availability of geolocation systems, delays at certain checkpoints, and necessary coordination of surveillance services, particularly in border areas.

“Our shared ambition must be clear: to reduce information asymmetries between our two administrations, improve the handling of transit operations, enhance the predictability of procedures for economic operators, and preserve the integrity of the supply chain between Cameroonian ports and Chadian territory,” he exphasised.

To carry out the actions listed above, Fongod indicated that the interconnection between CAMCIS and SYDONIA World remains a priority. 

He insisted that the systems interconnection must enable a smoother, more secure and more usable exchange of customs data, particularly for shipments cleared at Kousseri bound for N’Djamena, as well as for transit documents issued from Douala or Kribi. 

It is worth noting that the meeting held barely a month after a similar technical meeting in N’Djamena between both administrations. 

During the N’djamena meeting, the two administrations agreed to continue, in a pragmatic and operational manner, addressing issues relating to the interconnection of their information systems, electronic tracking of goods, security of conventional and non-conventional transit, and the fight against irregular practices observed along certain sensitive routes.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3807 of Thursday June 04, 2026