"The sale of textbooks and course books is prohibited on school premises. Doing so will call for sanctions.” This reminder from the Minister of Trade (Mincommerce) is contained in a press release issued yesterday, August 28. The Mincommerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, points out that, according to the December 2021 law on the organization of the book trade in Cameroon, any offender is liable to penalties ranging from one to five years imprisonment and a fine of one to five million CFA Francs.

Similarly, the Mincommerce adds, "Any person who counterfeits or commercializes counterfeit textbooks and school books is liable to 5 to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of 5 to 10 million CFA Francs (...)."

According to the aforementioned law, textbooks are sold either online or in clearly defined areas reserved for licensed professionals. An exception is made for second-hand books, "for which purchase and resale centers may be created or opened per the terms and conditions defined by regulation," the Ministry of Trade emphasizes.  

The 2023/2024 academic year is scheduled to start on September 4. As is the case every year,  the issue of textbooks is on the agenda. After numerous crises between players in the book industry, the government has managed to normalize the publishing and sale of textbooks, notably by approving prices and bringing order to the publishing sector.

L.A.