The 2025 Cameroon Ballon d'Or ceremony, held on February 27, 2026, at the Yaoundé Congress Hall, was disrupted by a power outage. The event, organized by FECAFOOT, gathered prominent figures, including First Lady Chantal Biya and FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o.
The power failure plunged the venue into darkness precisely when the awards were being presented. Images of guests illuminated by the flashes of their mobile phones circulated on social media, attesting to the incident.
Sources indicate that ENEO, the national electricity supplier, was responsible for the interruption. Although no official statement has been made by the company, the incident quickly took on political and media dimensions. The incident raises questions about the reliability of Cameroon's power grid, especially during events of national importance.
This incident highlights the infrastructural challenges Cameroon faces, particularly regarding the stability of its electricity network. As the country aims to host major international events, the ability to guarantee a reliable power supply is crucial. Similar incidents have previously affected the country, with prolonged power outages paralyzing entire sectors, including hospitals and businesses.
Despite recent projects like the Nachtigal dam, outages persist due to underlying infrastructural issues. ENEO's debt, estimated at around 800 billion CFA francs, reflects the management difficulties in the sector.
Despite this setback, the ceremony was able to resume, and Serge Daura (Gazelle FA) and Tiwa Lys Fraîche (Lekie FF) were crowned. Daura won the title of best player and revelation of the season, while Fraîche was named best female player. Both received vehicles and land as prizes. Richard Towa, coach of Colombe Sportive du Sud, was named best coach.
The incident raises questions about the preparation of state events and the need to plan for backup solutions to avoid such interruptions. Cameroon's ability to ensure a stable power supply remains a major challenge for its development and international credibility.
