Cameroon targets 2% state budget for circular economy by 2030

Cameroon is stepping up efforts to transition toward a circular economy, with plans to allocate 2% of its national budget to waste management and resource valorization by 2030. This bold initiative is outlined in the country’s National Circular Economy Roadmap for 2025–2035, a strategic document developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Territorial Development (Minepat). The roadmap sets clear targets for sustainable resource use and waste reduction across key sectors.

The government has calculated that circular economy spending will reach 62.8 billion Central African Francs (FCFA) in 2025, with an additional 30 billion FCFA allocated to waste collection, totaling 92.8 billion FCFA—equivalent to 1.27% of the national budget. By 2030, the allocation is expected to rise to 2% of the state budget, representing an increase of over 53 billion FCFA compared to current levels, based on the 2025 budget framework.

Rising urban waste demands urgent action

Cameroon’s push for a circular economy comes as the country faces a sharp rise in urban waste generation. According to Minepat’s assessment, the nation produces around 6 million tons of waste annually, primarily from households, markets, public services, and businesses. However, the existing waste management system remains heavily focused on collection, with limited capacity for processing and recycling.

The roadmap highlights critical gaps, including an average collection rate of just 50% and a recycling rate below 10%. In major cities like Yaoundé and Douala, annual waste production is projected to exceed 2.8 million tons by 2040, placing further strain on already stretched infrastructure.

Key challenges identified include the absence of source separation, minimal waste valorization, inadequate collection and treatment facilities, insufficient data collection, and weak institutional capacity. Plastic pollution is a particularly pressing concern, with nearly 1,300 tons of plastic waste discarded daily, while only 250 tons are collected each month—and just 180 tons are recycled, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Institutional reforms and infrastructure upgrades

To address these issues, authorities are preparing a comprehensive set of reforms and investments aimed at strengthening the entire waste management chain. Proposed measures include a Prime Ministerial decree to embed circular economy principles into value chains, updates to environmental legislation, and enhanced oversight by regulatory bodies. Institutional clarity between sectoral agencies and decentralized local governments is also a priority, with discussions underway to establish a National Waste Management Agency.

On the infrastructure front, the roadmap calls for the construction or modernization of sorting centers, transfer stations, and landfills compliant with international standards. Additional investments are planned for biodigesters and composting units to better process organic waste. The strategy also emphasizes community-based recycling incentives, public awareness campaigns on source separation and illegal dumping prevention, and expanded training programs for workers in the recycling sector.

Funding from public and private sectors

While public funding will play a central role, the strategy also leverages private sector involvement. Plans include adjusting municipal waste-related taxes, implementing mandatory extended producer responsibility systems to fund collection and recycling, and expanding the National Waste Exchange—a digital platform already in operation. This online marketplace is designed to streamline transactions for recyclable materials, attract private investment, and foster a thriving market for secondary raw materials.

The roadmap also identifies potential international partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Circular Economy Facility, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and multiple United Nations agencies, as key sources of funding and technical support.