The government of Cameroon has set an ambitious target: by 2030, it aims to allocate the equivalent of 2% of the national budget to circular economy initiatives. This vision is outlined in the National Roadmap for Circular Economy 2025-2035, developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development, which establishes the country’s strategic direction for sustainable resource management and waste valorization.
The roadmap projects 62.8 billion Central African CFA francs in circular economy expenditures for 2025, with an additional 30 billion CFA francs allocated to waste management—bringing the total to 92.8 billion CFA francs, or 1.27% of the national budget. By 2030, the government plans to increase this share to 2%, representing a commitment of over 53 billion CFA francs in additional funding compared to current levels, based on the 2025 budget framework.
Urban waste challenges escalate across major cities
This significant financial push responds to the urgent need to modernize Cameroon’s waste management system. The country generates approximately 6 million tons of waste annually, primarily from households, markets, public services, and businesses. However, the existing infrastructure is largely limited to collection, with minimal capacity for treatment and recycling.
According to the roadmap, the average waste collection rate hovers around 50%, while recycling remains below 10%. In Yaoundé and Douala, annual waste production is projected to exceed 2.8 million tons by 2040, placing immense strain on already inadequate facilities. Key challenges include the absence of source segregation, limited recycling infrastructure, insufficient data collection, and weak institutional capacities.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical concern. The roadmap reveals that nearly 1,300 tons of plastic waste are released into the environment daily in Cameroon. Yet, only 250 tons are collected each month, with just 180 tons successfully recycled—highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.
Reforms and investments to transform waste management
To address these gaps, authorities are preparing a comprehensive set of reforms and infrastructure upgrades. A prime ministerial decree is under development to embed circular economy principles into value chains, alongside revisions to environmental legislation and strengthened enforcement agencies. Clarifying roles between sectoral ministries and local governments is also on the agenda, with discussions underway about establishing a National Waste Management Agency.
On the infrastructure front, the plan includes building and upgrading sorting centers, transfer stations, and internationally compliant landfills. It also calls for installing biodigesters and composting units to process organic waste. Community-based recycling incentives, public awareness campaigns on source separation, and crackdowns on illegal dumping are being rolled out to shift public behavior.
Support for vocational training and innovation in recycling industries is also prioritized, aiming to build local expertise and create sustainable livelihoods.
Dual financing strategy: public funds and private sector engagement
The financing model relies not only on public resources. The roadmap proposes reforms to local waste-related taxes, the introduction of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems to fund collection and recycling through eco-contributions, and the expansion of the National Waste Exchange Platform, already live and operational.
This digital marketplace will streamline transactions of recyclable materials, attract private investment, and foster a thriving market for secondary raw materials. International partners are also identified as key supporters, including the African Development Bank, the African Circular Economy Facility, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and multiple United Nations agencies.
