Yaoundé’s municipal authorities are seizing a crucial opportunity to streamline and regulate the capital’s taxi transport sector.

Luc Messi, the city’s mayor, emphasized the mandatory nature of this new directive: « This registration of taxi owners and drivers operating in Yaoundé – established by a municipal decree on June 25, 2026 – is not optional. It is compulsory, and the door number assigned to each taxi following this registration will be the only valid one », he stated.

Historically, taxi door numbers were simply painted on by screen printers, lacking any robust security features.

This situation is poised for change, according to Catherine Kalisa, a technical advisor for the Yaoundé green mobility project and the driving force behind the new digital platform. She explained that « the platform will enable the city of Yaoundé to establish a comprehensive database and enhance the security of this urban transport domain. »

At the launch of the initiative, a small number of taxi drivers promptly completed the registration process.

digital registration campaign concludes october 5

However, not all drivers share the enthusiasm. Jacques Didi, a taxi driver, expressed his disapproval, labeling the government’s move as a diversion: « Instead of addressing the pressing issue of road conditions, authorities are introducing something else entirely, a QR code that supposedly controls and secures taxi drivers. I assure you, this will not succeed. »

Conversely, Patrice Samen, a prominent figure in the transport union sector in Cameroon, holds a different view. He anticipates that this measure will finally curb the long-standing problem of illegal transport in Yaoundé: « Finally, the government has heard our pleas, as we have been raising concerns daily about clandestine transport and unauthorized drivers. We will urge all taxi drivers to get identified. »

The digital registration operation for taxis is scheduled to conclude on October 5. Following this deadline, the Mayor of Yaoundé has announced that sanctions will be imposed on non-compliant taxi drivers and owners.