Soaring construction costs hit N’Djamena’s building sector

Residents and contractors in N’Djamena are grappling with a sharp rise in construction material prices, creating major hurdles for ongoing and upcoming building projects across the city.

The surge has affected a wide range of essential materials. Lambour, once priced at 3,000 FCFA per unit, now sells for between 4,500 and 5,000 FCFA. Ceiling beams, previously costing 6,000 FCFA, have jumped to 9,000 FCFA, while white planks have climbed from 9,000 to 14,000 FCFA. Even staple items like the Dangote cement bag now retail at 11,000 FCFA—up significantly from prior levels.

Shop owners and suppliers cite the recent hike in customs duties on imported construction goods as the primary driver of these increases. The new tariffs have nearly doubled import costs, placing added financial strain on local retailers and ultimately pushing up retail prices for customers.

« The price surge is directly tied to the customs tariff changes, which have made importing materials far more expensive, » notes Mahamat, a local hardware store manager. « Without adjustments in supply chains or policy, these elevated prices will continue to impact both small builders and large contractors alike. »