The Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam, officially launched the Project for the Strengthening of Decentralization in Cameroon – REDECA on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in Bafoussam.
Funded by the French Development Agency – AFD, this initiative aims to strengthen local governance, enhance the performance of Decentralized Local Authorities – CTDs, and improve public access to high-quality local services. This project represents a significant milestone in executing the national decentralization strategy, focusing on operational improvements, local governance mechanisms, and citizen participation.
Presenting the main components of the project, Coordinator Estelle Edima explained that REDECA will be implemented over a three-year period across the urban communities of Bafoussam, Bertoua, and Garoua. Project interventions will specifically target the institutional and organizational capacity building of the beneficiary local authorities, the enhancement of local governance practices, the promotion of civic engagement, and the dissemination of best practices developed during the implementation phase.
Supported by a funding package of 2.9 billion FCFA provided by the French Development Agency, the project is structured around three complementary pillars. Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Director-General of the AFD emphasized that the success of this initiative relies on the active commitment of all stakeholders involved. He noted that the project serves as a crucial mechanism to consolidate past gains in decentralization while supporting local authorities to better serve their communities.
In his launch address, Minister Georges Elanga Obam highlighted that REDECA’s goals align directly with the High Directives of the President of the Republic regarding the acceleration and deepening of the decentralization process. He stressed that the project demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to equipping local authorities with the technical, organizational, and methodological tools required to effectively exercise their transferred powers. He also praised the strong bilateral cooperation between the Government of Cameroon and the AFD, urging all parties to take full ownership of the project to ensure its long-term success.
The official launch of REDECA forms part of the preparatory activities leading up to the joint celebrations for African Decentralization and Local Development Day and African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, scheduled for August 10, 2026, in Obala.
The Bafoussam ceremony gathered key administrative and institutional leaders, including the President of the West Regional Council, the Secretary-General of MINDDEVEL, the Directors-General of FEICOM and BUNEC, the Deputy Director-General of NASLA, the Mayor of Bertoua, and numerous officials from partner administrations and local government authorities.
