TV price hike: Cameroonian consumers sound the alarm

TV price hike: Cameroonian consumers sound the alarm
(DR)
© (DR)

Faced with the announced increase in Canal+ packages starting April 1, 2026, consumer protection associations are calling on the government and denouncing a measure deemed unfair in a context of high cost of living.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Communication on March 30, 2026, the platform of the Hub of Consumer Associations for the Protection of the Socio-Economic Interest of Cameroon expresses strong indignation at the announced increase in television package rates. For these organizations, this decision comes at the worst time, as the cost of living continues to rise and further weakens household purchasing power.
“Consumers are suffocating,” summarizes the collective, pointing to the growing gap between incomes that are barely adjusted, sometimes by a few thousand CFA francs, and increasingly expensive services. The entry-level package, once accessible, is now becoming out of reach for a large part of the population.

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At the heart of the protest is a question: that of the double contribution of citizens. The associations point out that every Cameroonian already pays an audiovisual license fee through their consumption. They therefore question the legitimacy of paying again to access national channels integrated into private offers.
The signatories also mention the failure to respect the spirit of the 2000 decree on the liberalization of broadcasting, which aimed to guarantee equitable access to information, education, and entertainment, particularly for low-income households.
Fearing social tensions, the associations call for urgent consultation with public authorities and sector operators. The objective: to find “fair and sustainable” solutions to preserve access to information for all, without worsening inequalities.

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