How surveillance cameras are transforming security in Yaoundé, Cameroon

In Cameroon, especially in the capital Yaoundé, surveillance cameras have become a key tool for deterring crime, protecting people and property, and improving traffic flow.

Since their installation in strategic areas of the political capital, residents report a significant drop in insecurity. A resident of the Madagascar neighbourhood stated: “We used to live with constant armed robberies. Thugs would strike at any time, looting shops, banks and bakeries, and then escape without consequences. But since the cameras were put in place, these criminals have become rare. I thank the authorities for this.”

The surveillance cameras across Yaoundé are managed by the National Video Surveillance Command Centre, based in the Etoudi district.

Given their effectiveness in reducing crime, President Paul Biya signed a decree on 17 December 2025 authorising the Minister of Economy, Alamine Ousmane Mey, to secure a new loan of 39.2 billion CFA francs. This funding will go towards “the additional financing of the national expansion project for the intelligent urban video surveillance system.”

With this latest injection, the government is preparing to take out a fourth credit for the project from three Chinese lenders, bringing the total funds mobilised over eight years to 150.8 billion CFA francs.

According to officials, the first phase of the project installed 1,500 surveillance cameras in several Cameroonian cities. That network was supplemented by 2,000 portable transceivers, aimed at boosting police monitoring and response capabilities.

Beyond urban centres and sensitive border areas, surveillance cameras are increasingly being installed in private homes. “Before I installed this system, I was regularly burgled. Now I am completely satisfied. Any bandit who dares come is automatically spotted, and justice deals with them,” said one resident who equipped his home with the technology.

The average price of a surveillance camera is around 15,000 CFA francs, and can be higher depending on the model. Besides homes and public roads, cameras are also being placed in plantations, vehicles, and even schools to ensure safety for all.

This technology allows users to monitor their property remotely via mobile phones, television screens, and other platforms.