Cameroon builds energy accounts to boost smart energy policies

Yaoundé, June 22, 2026 — Cameroon is taking a bold step toward refining its energy governance with the development of comprehensive energy accounts. Spearheaded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA project, a week-long workshop is underway in Douala to map out the path forward.

This technical gathering brings together key government bodies, energy sector agencies, and financial partners to assess available data, technical requirements, and methodological frameworks needed to compile energy accounts aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). The SEEA, adopted by the United Nations, provides a globally recognized statistical framework for measuring the interplay between economic activity and environmental impacts.

The energy accounts being developed will serve as a powerful analytical tool. They will integrate data on energy extraction, production, transformation, consumption, trade, and environmental discharges, offering a holistic view of how energy flows through the economy. This integrated approach will enable policymakers to address critical questions: How much energy is produced domestically? Which sectors consume the most energy? How is energy transformed and utilized across industries? What is its contribution to national wealth creation? How do energy policies influence economic growth, job creation, and greenhouse gas emissions?

Aligning energy data with national priorities

In a landscape of rising energy demand, pressing energy security concerns, and mounting climate challenges, reliable and integrated statistical data is indispensable. The energy accounts will directly support Cameroon’s Vision 2035 and the 2020–2030 National Development Strategy (SND30), both of which prioritize structural transformation, sustainable industrialization, and energy transition as core developmental goals.

Beyond national planning, these accounts will play a key role in tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on affordable and clean energy access, climate action, and sustainable resource management. They will provide a robust framework for evaluating the effectiveness of energy policies, harmonizing economic planning with natural resource management, and embedding environmental considerations into public decision-making.

Laying the groundwork in Douala

The Douala workshop marks a pivotal milestone in the energy accounting initiative. Over five days, participants will identify user needs, assess existing data gaps, and define a clear operational roadmap for compiling future energy accounts. This effort is part of Cameroon’s broader National Plan for Environmental and Economic Accounting (PNDEAE), adopted in 2023 as the official guide for implementing environmental and economic accounting nationwide.

The initiative is supported through technical guidance aligned with international standards, specialized expertise—including contributions from the UK’s Office for National Statistics—and ongoing technical assistance throughout the compilation process. By strengthening national statistical capacity and advancing environmental-economic accounting, this project underscores UNECA’s commitment to helping Cameroon build data-driven pathways for sustainable development.