In Cameroon, particularly in its political capital Yaoundé, surveillance cameras have become a crucial tool for deterring crime, protecting property and people, and easing traffic flow.
Ever since these devices were installed in strategic areas of the city, residents report a significant drop in insecurity. A local from the Madagascar neighbourhood explained: “In our area, we used to live in constant fear of armed robberies. Criminals would strike at any hour, looting shops, banks, and bakeries, then escape without consequence. But since the installation of cameras, those bandits have become rare. I thank the authorities for this.”
The surveillance cameras across Yaoundé are operated from the National Video Surveillance Command Centre located in the Etoudi district.
Given their effectiveness in reducing crime, President Paul Biya signed a decree on 17 December 2025 authorising the Minister of the Economy, Alamine Ousmane Mey, to secure a new loan of 39.2 billion CFA francs. This funding is earmarked for “the complementary financing of the national extension project for the intelligent urban video surveillance system.”
With this latest financing, the government is preparing to take out a fourth loan dedicated to the project from three Chinese lenders. In total, 150.8 billion CFA francs have been mobilised over eight years.
According to officials, the first phase of the project saw the installation of 1,500 video surveillance cameras in several Cameroonian cities. This network was supplemented by 2,000 portable transceivers designed to improve police surveillance and response capabilities.
Beyond urban centres and sensitive border areas, surveillance cameras are increasingly found in private homes. One homeowner who installed the system said: “Before I set this up, I was regularly burgled. Now I am completely satisfied. Any bandit who dares approach is spotted immediately, and the justice system takes care of them.”
The average price of a surveillance camera is around 15,000 CFA francs, varying by model. They can be installed not only in homes and on public streets but also in farms, cars, and even schools to ensure everyone’s safety.
This technology allows users to monitor their property remotely via phones, television screens, and other platforms.
