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Waste management crisis in Cameroon

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2026-09-04 07:41 UTC → 2026-09-07 13:37 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Cameroon is experiencing significant urban waste management challenges in its major cities. In Yaoundé, government ministers held an interministerial crisis meeting to address the growing sanitation crisis. The meeting, chaired by Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, resulted in the announcement of strict measures such as weekly inspections by sub-prefects. However, previous regulatory efforts and ministerial decrees have reportedly failed to stop the proliferation of illegal dumping sites. In Bamenda, the crisis is particularly acute in the Central Business District, where the accumulation of plastics, cartons, and food waste has created hygiene concerns and increased health risks. The refuse frequently blocks drainage channels, exacerbating flooding during rainy seasons. While residents have criticized municipal authorities and collection companies for inadequate disposal infrastructure, Bamenda II Mayor Chenwi Peter has launched a multi-billion waste management scheme to transform waste into an urban investment. The crisis has also intensified in the Douala 4ème district, where a 14.25 billion FCFA waste management contract awarded to GENELCAM SARL has failed to meet its objectives. Despite being approved by the Presidency for a five-year period, the contract has suffered a severe logistical breakdown. Reports indicate that only six of the 25 required trucks are currently active, leaving the rest broken or abandoned. This failure has caused the monthly collection rate to drop to just 29% of the 6,600-ton target, leading to massive refuse accumulations in areas such as Bonabéri, Ndobo, and Forêt Bar. In Douala, the situation remains critical as mountains of household waste obstruct public roads, threatening public health ahead of the new school year. While the city produces approximately 2,700 tons of waste daily, Hysacam reportedly collects only about 1,800 tons, leaving roughly 900 tons unmanaged each day.

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