Cameroon has set an ambitious target: by 2030, at least 2% of the national budget will be dedicated to the circular economy. This strategic vision is outlined in the National Circular Economy Roadmap 2025-2035, developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Territorial Development (Minepat). The roadmap establishes clear guidelines for sustainable resource management and waste valorization across the country.
According to the plan, circular economy expenditures are projected to reach 62.8 billion FCFA in 2025, with an additional 30 billion FCFA allocated annually for waste management. This combined total of 92.8 billion FCFA represents 1.27% of the national budget. The government aims to gradually increase this allocation to 2% by 2030, representing an additional investment of over 53 billion FCFA based on the 2025 budget estimates.
Urban waste challenges demand urgent action
The substantial increase in funding is driven by the growing waste management crisis and the limitations of the current system. Cameroon generates approximately 6 million tons of waste annually, primarily from households, markets, public services, and businesses. However, the existing infrastructure is heavily skewed toward collection, with minimal treatment and recycling capabilities.
The National Circular Economy Roadmap reveals that while the average waste collection rate hovers around 50%, the recycling rate remains below 10%. In major cities like Yaoundé and Douala, annual waste production is expected to exceed 2.8 million tons by 2040, placing immense pressure on already inadequate facilities.
Key challenges identified include the absence of source separation, limited waste valorization, insufficient collection and treatment infrastructure, a lack of reliable statistical data, and weak institutional capacities. Plastic pollution is a particularly pressing concern, with nearly 1,300 tons of plastic waste entering the environment daily. Currently, only 250 tons are collected each month, and merely 180 tons are recycled, highlighting the vast gap between waste generation and management.
Institutional reforms and infrastructure upgrades to reshape waste management
To address these challenges, authorities are implementing sweeping reforms and infrastructure upgrades across the waste management chain. The roadmap calls for a Prime Ministerial decree to integrate circular economy principles into value chains, alongside revisions to environmental legislation. Strengthening regulatory bodies and clarifying responsibilities between sectoral agencies and decentralized local governments are also priorities. The potential establishment of a National Waste Management Agency is under consideration.
On the infrastructure front, the plan includes the construction and modernization of sorting centers, transfer stations, and internationally compliant landfills. Investments will also focus on expanding collection equipment, installing biodigesters, and setting up composting units to process organic waste.
Community recycling incentives, public awareness campaigns on source separation, and measures to combat illegal dumping are also part of the strategy. Additionally, the roadmap emphasizes enhanced training and innovation in recycling industries to foster sustainable growth.
Diversified financing: public funds, private sector, and international support
The financing model for this transition is designed to be multi-sourced. The plan includes reforms to local waste-related taxation, the introduction of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems to fund collection and recycling, and the expansion of the National Waste Exchange platform, which is already operational.
This digital marketplace aims to streamline transactions for recyclable materials, attract private investments, and cultivate a thriving market for waste valorization. International partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Circular Economy Facility, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and several United Nations agencies, are identified as potential funding sources to support these initiatives.
