As early as Wednesday, the Prime Minister clarified that cross-border commercial exchanges would be maintained, "in particular with Chad and the Central African Republic." On Thursday, a new statement to clear up any ambiguity: they will indeed be maintained with "all CEMAC countries." Central African Republic and Chad, therefore, but also Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.

It must be said that Cameroon is one of the pillars of commercial exchanges within the zone. 24.7% on its own between 2014 and 2017, according to the latest report from the African Development Bank on economic prospects in Africa, "thanks to the existence of road corridors with all CEMAC countries and Nigeria." The Port of Douala is also the main entry point for goods for the Central African Republic and Chad, landlocked countries with no access to the sea. 80% of Chad's imports and exports pass through Cameroon.

A complete closure of borders would therefore cause a sudden disruption in supply chains, but also a considerable drop in revenue for the Douala Autonomous Port. Cameroonian authorities promise that cargo drivers will, however, be subject to "health checks." Implementation of these measures has been entrusted to the Ministry of Transportation.

Cameroon also depends on foreign sources for its supply of essential products. It imports, for example, all of the fuel used locally, but also 90% of its medicine needs, 50% of its fish needs.