Cameroonian authorities have intercepted a large shipment of smuggled Guinness from Nigeria, totaling 5,160 bottles and cans, in the locality of Karata, Southwest region. This shipment, transported aboard a Toyota Dyna truck, had not undergone any customs control, representing a considerable loss for the State and a threat to local employment. This seizure highlights the challenges of smuggling and its potential ramifications within the Cameroonian brewing industry itself.
The smuggling of alcoholic beverages, particularly Guinness, weakens the entire Cameroonian brewing sector. According to customs services, this seizure represents a loss of more than 12 million FCFA in uncollected customs duties. Even more seriously, it jeopardizes the Société Anonyme des Brasseries du Cameroun (SABC), a subsidiary of the Castel group, which directly and indirectly employs nearly 6,000 people, including sorghum producers. A brewer from Douala, speaking on condition of anonymity, denounced the impact of these illegal products which "flood our markets at low prices, killing our jobs."
Beyond the traffickers, questions remain about the potential role of certain industrial players in organizing these fraudulent deliveries. Persistent rumors suggest that some breweries may seek to circumvent taxes by organizing illegal imports themselves, before denouncing their competitors to restore their image. An economic operator from Douala wonders: "Why doesn't SABC, which dominates the market with 80%, more firmly denounce these practices?". In 2022, the Castel group acquired the assets of Guinness Cameroon, strengthening its dominant position in the market.
The border area with Nigeria has become a hub for traffickers of all kinds, especially since the start of the Anglophone crisis. These individuals take advantage of the situation to transit illicit goods, sometimes intended to supply secessionist groups. However, repeated seizures demonstrate increased customs vigilance at the borders and within Cameroonian territory.
The fight against the smuggling of alcoholic beverages is a crucial issue for the Cameroonian economy, as it preserves state tax revenues and protects local jobs. Customs authorities must redouble their efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and sanction the actors involved, whoever they may be. In 2023, SABC paid over 367 billion FCFA in taxes, representing 50.3% of its total turnover.
