An agreement was signed on March 12, 2026, between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINHDU) and two Cameroonian companies, Blue Energy Holding and Termosun Cameroon, to launch a large-scale project for the collection, sorting, and recycling of waste in several cities across the country. The initiative, supported by the First Vice-President of the South Regional Council, Cathy Meba, will extend to Yaoundé, Douala, and Ebolowa.
This ambitious project aims to improve urban sanitation and create job opportunities for young people. Initially planned for Yaoundé and Douala, it was extended to Ebolowa thanks to Cathy Meba's advocacy. A waste collection and treatment plant is expected to be built there, strengthening waste management and stimulating the local economy.
Beyond improving the living environment, the initiative has a strong social dimension. The promoters anticipate the creation of approximately 3,000 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs in the three cities concerned. This would offer new opportunities for socio-professional integration to many young people.
The companies Blue Energy Holding and Termosun Cameroon rely on partnerships with German and French groups specializing in energy and biogas, thus guaranteeing technical expertise for the implementation of this structuring project.
Cameroon faces a growing challenge in waste management. Waste production doubled between 2016 and 2025, from three million to six million tons. Of this total, only a quarter is collected by the operator Hysacam, while half is managed by methods that do not comply with regulatory standards. The remaining quarter is abandoned in nature, contributing to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Faced with this situation, the Cameroonian government launched a national waste exchange in February 2026, an electronic platform aimed at transforming millions of tons of waste into industrial raw materials. This initiative aims to structure the waste market and promote the transformation of some people's waste into raw materials for others.
Several other initiatives are underway to improve waste management in Cameroon. The government plans to build waste sorting units in 27 secondary cities. In addition, Royal Development Group (RDG) is proposing an innovative approach to transform waste into wealth, by implementing a system where households sort waste, buyback centers purchase it, and recycling companies transform it into new products.
The implementation of these projects could not only improve the urban environment but also create new economic and social opportunities for the Cameroonian population. Cathy Meba, First Vice-President of the South Regional Council, is a rising figure in the region, committed to promoting citizenship, the environment, and youth empowerment.
