A presidential decree has ordered an immediate freeze on all land transfers around the Olembe sports complex in Yaounde. This decision, signed by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, aims to secure the site's perimeter in the face of increasing land speculation.
The announcement comes amid rapid urbanization of the Cameroonian capital. The Olembe sports complex, inaugurated in 2021, has never been completed, leaving ancillary infrastructure pending. This situation has created a legal vacuum, allowing individuals to acquire land titles in areas initially reserved for the State.
The freeze on land transfers aims to preserve the possibility of a future redeployment of the sports complex. Additional public facilities could be built, and state reserves maintained for state needs. In concrete terms, no further transfer deeds will be signed, and the land registry and land conservation services are on alert.
This measure has immediate consequences for property developers and local residents. Developers who have invested in plots find themselves in uncertainty, while individuals who have acquired land in good faith do not know whether they will be expropriated. In the long term, while the State preserves its land control, the development of the Olembe district could be hampered by the lack of private investment.
The decision to freeze land transfers raises questions about the future of land around the Olembe stadium. While it buys time, it does not resolve existing disputes. Regular title holders are waiting for answers, while speculators are already looking for other areas to conquer.
The question of reconciling Yaounde's urban expansion with the preservation of the public domain remains. Securing the Olembe stadium's land is crucial, but it must be accompanied by transparent and equitable land management to avoid further tensions. Yaounde is developing rapidly, with increasing demand for luxury and high-end housing, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.
The Olembe sports complex, with a capacity of 60,000 seats, was built for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which eventually took place in 2022. Its construction cost is estimated at 163 billion FCFA. In addition to the main stadium, the complex includes two training grounds, a gymnasium, an Olympic swimming pool, a shopping center, a museum, a cinema, and a 5-star hotel.
The construction of the stadium has faced difficulties, including delays and financial controversies. In January 2022, a stampede at the stadium entrance killed at least eight people during an AFCON match. Land management around the stadium remains a major challenge for the Cameroonian authorities.
