'Beignet' business gain popularity in CMR

The sales of puff balls also referred to as Beignet or Puff-Puff has increased in Cameroon over the years.

The trade is becoming popular by the roadside and in make-shift buildings fondly called ‘beignetariat’.

As a business that requires very low initial capital for take-off, it is amongst the most vibrant income-generating activity.

It is commonplace to find an impatient queue waiting to be served a portion of the rich flour delicacy, as if to say, ‘a hungry man is an angry man’.

Though seemingly profitable, those engaged in frying the puff balls have a story to tell.

Elisabeth Bafor who has been in the business for four years sells puff-puff, beans and pap. She says it is painstaking given the fact that she is required to maintain close watch for many hours.

It is however profitable business, she admits being capable of raising 8,000 Cfa F daily after using up about seven kilogrammes of flour. The profit is enough to meet her daily needs.

The activity according to Elisabeth Bafor, has two peak periods: First when she does it on a special order and second, during the rainy season when the cold increases the urge to consume pap accompanied by puff-puff is high.

Alex on his part has sold ‘beignet sucre’ for eight years. His urgent need is to be able to get a renovated shade if only to attract more consumers and give the impression of an evolving business.

Foncha Emma who is just two months old in the trade contends that take-off has not been easy for her but hopes to emulate the example of those who have thrived.

Costumers too are part of the big picture. Fidele considers himself a beignet-pap addict. He says it is good food but quarrels with the quantity served by some vendors.

Fidele has a point. The tax increase required to be paid by the different actors in the flour production chain has had an impact on the final product sold to the consumer: from ten CFAF per tiny rounded piece to 25 and 50 CFAF depending on size and quality.

Some people enjoy eating beignet at these hotspots in the company of others while some others would rather consume in more reputable and classy spots.