Cameroon’s bold push for circular economy: waste management overhaul by 2030
Cameroon targets 2% of state budget for circular economy by 2030
The Cameroonian government has unveiled an ambitious plan to allocate 2% of the national budget to circular economy initiatives by 2030. This strategic move is outlined in the National Roadmap for Circular Economy 2025-2035, developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development (Minepat), which sets the framework for sustainable resource management and waste valorization across the country.
The roadmap projects 92.8 billion FCFA in annual expenditures for 2025, comprising 62.8 billion FCFA dedicated to circular economy projects and 30 billion FCFA allocated to waste management. This represents 1.27% of the national budget, with plans to progressively increase this to 2% by 2030—an additional investment exceeding 53 billion FCFA based on 2025 budget projections.
Urban waste crisis demands urgent action
Cameroon faces a mounting waste management challenge, with annual waste generation reaching 6 million tonnes—primarily from households, markets, public services and businesses. However, the current system is heavily skewed toward collection, with less than 10% of waste recycled and a collection rate hovering around 50%.
The roadmap highlights critical gaps in the system: no source separation, minimal waste valorization, inadequate collection and treatment infrastructure, scarce statistical data, and limited institutional capacity. Plastic pollution remains a particularly pressing concern, with 1,300 tonnes of plastic waste released into the environment daily—yet only 250 tonnes collected monthly and a mere 180 tonnes recycled.
Projections indicate that waste generation in major cities like Yaoundé and Douala will exceed 2.8 million tonnes annually by 2040, placing further strain on already stretched resources.
Reforms and infrastructure upgrades to transform waste management
To address these challenges, the government is implementing sweeping reforms and infrastructure upgrades. Key measures include:
- A Prime Ministerial decree incorporating circular economy principles into value chains;
- Strengthening environmental legislation and institutional oversight;
- Clarifying roles between sectoral agencies and decentralized local authorities;
- Potential establishment of a National Waste Management Agency;
- Construction and modernization of sorting centers, transfer stations, and compliant landfills;
- Deployment of biodigesters and composting units for organic waste;
- Community recycling incentives and public awareness campaigns against illegal dumping;
- Enhanced training and innovation support in recycling sectors.
Public-private financing model to drive circular economy growth
The financing strategy blends public and private resources. Proposed measures include:
- Revised municipal waste taxation to improve revenue;
- Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems to fund collection and recycling via eco-contributions;
- Expansion of the National Waste Exchange, a digital platform facilitating transactions in recyclable materials and attracting private investment;
- Engagement with international partners such as the African Development Bank, World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations agencies, and the African Circular Economy Facility.
This integrated approach aims to build a robust circular economy ecosystem, reduce environmental harm, and unlock economic opportunities through waste valorization.
