Cameroon’s bold push for circular economy amid rising urban waste

Cameroon has set an ambitious target: by 2030, public spending on circular economy initiatives will reach 2% of the national budget. This vision is outlined in the country’s National Roadmap for Circular Economy 2025-2035, a strategic document developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Territorial Development (Minepat). The roadmap provides a clear pathway for sustainable resource management and enhanced waste valorization across the nation.

The government’s financial commitment is substantial. In 2025, circular economy expenditures are projected to hit 62.8 billion Central African francs (FCFA), with an additional 30 billion FCFA allocated annually for waste management. Together, these investments represent 1.27% of the state budget. By 2030, this allocation is expected to rise significantly, with an increase of over 53 billion FCFA compared to current levels, assuming a stable 2025 budget baseline.

Urban waste generation surges ahead of infrastructure

Cameroon faces a growing waste crisis, with annual production exceeding 6 million tons. The bulk of this waste originates from households, markets, public services, and businesses. Yet, despite the scale of the challenge, the country’s waste management system remains heavily focused on collection, with minimal treatment or recycling capacity.

According to the Minepat roadmap, only about 50% of waste is collected, while less than 10% is recycled. In major cities like Yaoundé and Douala, waste output is projected to surpass 2.8 million tons annually by 2040, placing immense strain on already inadequate infrastructure. Critical gaps include the lack of source separation, limited recycling infrastructure, insufficient statistical data, and weak institutional capabilities.

Plastic waste is a particularly pressing concern. The roadmap highlights that nearly 1,300 tons of plastic waste are discarded into the environment daily. Shockingly, only 250 tons are collected each month, and a mere 180 tons are recycled—a stark illustration of the systemic shortfalls in waste management.

Strategic reforms and infrastructure upgrades underway

To address these challenges, Cameroon is rolling out sweeping reforms and investment plans aimed at transforming its entire waste management ecosystem. The roadmap calls for the adoption of a Prime Ministerial decree that embeds circular economy principles into national value chains, alongside revisions to environmental legislation and strengthened regulatory oversight. It also proposes enhanced coordination between sectoral agencies and decentralized local governments, with the potential creation of a dedicated National Waste Management Agency.

On the infrastructure front, the plan includes the construction and modernization of sorting centers, transfer stations, and sanitary landfills that meet international standards. Organic waste valorization is another priority, with the deployment of biodigesters and composting units to convert biodegradable materials into valuable resources.

The strategy also emphasizes community-led recycling initiatives, public awareness campaigns on source separation, and efforts to combat illegal dumping. Additionally, there is a strong focus on workforce development and innovation within the recycling sector to build local expertise and capacity.

Balancing public and private sector investment

While public funding will play a key role, Cameroon is also leveraging private sector involvement to drive progress. The roadmap outlines plans to reform municipal waste-related taxation, implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems to finance collection and recycling through eco-contributions, and expand the National Waste Exchange platform—an online marketplace already in operation that facilitates transactions in recyclable materials.

This digital platform is designed to attract private investment, stimulate demand for recycled materials, and foster the growth of a thriving market for secondary raw materials. International partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Circular Economy Facility, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and several United Nations agencies, are identified as potential sources of additional funding and technical support.