The excessive presence of household waste in various cities of the country is a call for concern, especially in the country’s economic capital, Douala where waste disposal seems to be a daunting task for the Hygiene and Sanitation Company HYSACAM. It is for this reason the City of Douala has officially transitioned from a monopoly to a multi-operator system for the 2026 fiscal year.
Mayor Roger Mbassa Ndine announced that Hysacam will no longer be the sole provider, as its capacity has proven inadequate for the city’s current needs. Joining them is Genelcam, which has been specifically assigned to Lot 3, covering the Douala 4th District.
The announcement was made by the Mayor during an ordinary session of the Douala urban Council meeting dedicated to the examination and adoption of the 2026 budget.
GENELCAM, a company specialized in sanitation, collection and transport services for waste has to this effect being granted a contract of 954 million FCFA for the execution of this task. It was selected following a call for tenders and benefits from a 5-year contract and 954 million out of the 7 billion FCFA allocated to waste management. It’s support in waste transport comes as a welcome relief to residents of the economic capital.
According to the Douala Urban Council (DUC), the amount of household waste production reaches 2,700 tons per day.
HYSACAM reports that 1,800 tons of garbage are collected daily, representing approximately 70% of the total volume. This means that an estimated 30% of the waste remains uncollected, an anomaly that exacerbates the city’s unsanitary conditions. According to Investir au Cameroun, the DUC has allocated 100 million FCFA to the district municipalities. This sum will be distributed to SMEs and associations for the purchase of bins and bags for the pre-collection of household waste at designated collection points.
Beyond simple collection, the strategy involves a structural overhaul. The Urban Cleanliness Authority within the Douala Urban Community (CUD) will now supervise “pre-collection” activities, working directly with households. Furthermore, the city plans to establish new waste transfer points to streamline transport to landfills and reduce the “exorbitant” costs currently associated with sanitation.
This initiative is a central pillar of the city’s 66 billion FCFA budget for 2026, which also prioritizes infrastructure rehabilitation, public lighting, and urban mobility. The Mayor emphasized that efficient waste management is an “absolute emergency,” as piles of garbage currently obstruct both major thoroughfares and neighborhood alleyways, threatening the city’s health and image.
