In response to a surge in unauthorized interventions on the electricity network, the Cameroonian government has reinforced its regulatory framework. A ministerial decree, signed on February 23, 2026, by the Minister of Water and Energy, aims to more strictly regulate operations on public electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
This decision comes in a context where illegal acts have caused repeated power outages and endangered the safety of populations and facilities. The decree is based on Law No. 2011/022 of December 14, 2011, governing the electricity sector, and Law No. 2012/501 of November 7, 2012, specifying the conditions for the accreditation of operators.
From now on, anyone carrying out work on electricity transmission, distribution, or metering networks must be in possession of a duly completed service order or work permit, signed by the competent operations manager. These documents must state the identity of the agent, the precise nature of the work, the exact location of the intervention, its period of validity, and the contact details of the manager who issued the authorization.
The decree stipulates that the original authorization must be presented at the request of law enforcement, administrative authorities, or users. Any intervention carried out without formal authorization will be considered fraud and will expose its perpetrators to administrative and criminal sanctions, in accordance with the Cameroonian Penal Code.
Administrative authorities, the sector regulator, and operators are responsible for ensuring the rigorous application of these new measures, which came into effect upon signature. These measures aim to secure the energy supply and protect the country's electrical infrastructure.
The Cameroonian government is committed to an ambitious plan to sustainably transform the electricity sector by 2030, requiring private investment of $6.5 billion. A new electricity law, expected by 2026, should clarify the rules for public-private partnerships in electricity generation and transmission.
These reforms come as Cameroon aims to increase its electricity access rate to 100% by 2025, up from 74% currently, and to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 10% by 2030.
