Cameroon converts 840 tonnes of scrap into jobs, moves informal workers into formal recycling

CAMEROON – Cameroon has processed more than 840 tonnes of scrap metal and transitioned over 150 informal waste workers into structured employment in Yaoundé, in an ILO-backed initiative that rehabilitated a neglected scrap site.

The initiative introduced QR code tracking, and generated nearly 30 million CFA francs (approximately US$48,000) in revenue over two weeks.

The programme, implemented in early 2026, focused on Cameroon’s ferrous waste segment, where informal collection and dismantling have historically operated with limited oversight, inconsistent incomes, and significant occupational risks.

As part of the effort, 75 end-of-life vehicles, including buses and minibuses, were dismantled in collaboration with the National Union of Scrap Metal Workers.

From Hazardous Work to Protective Equipment

For workers involved, the transition to formalised processes has meant access to protective equipment, safety training, and more predictable earnings.

According to the ILO, improving occupational safety and income stability within informal recycling activities is critical for building resilient urban labour markets, particularly where waste management systems are under strain from rapid population growth.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, informal waste workers play a central role in recycling yet often operate outside regulatory frameworks, limiting access to financing, social protection, and formal market opportunities.

Digital Infrastructure Strengthens Oversight

At the centre of the reform is the National Waste Exchange, a platform using QR codes and real-time tracking to monitor recyclable materials from collection points to processing facilities.

Officials say the system is designed to improve transaction security, reduce material losses, and provide reliable data on waste flows to support planning and investment decisions.

The adoption of digital tracking tools reflects a wider trend across African cities modernising waste management systems.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Scrap metal recovered from end-of-life vehicles can serve as secondary raw material for manufacturing, reducing reliance on imported inputs and lowering production costs.

Structured recycling systems also improve revenue collection through licensing and service fees while reducing costs associated with unmanaged waste, including flood damage and emergency response.

A Model for African Cities

The Yaoundé programme illustrates how labour policy, environmental management, and digital governance can converge within a single sector.

While modest relative to national waste volumes, it demonstrates the operational feasibility of structured recycling systems in urban African contexts.

The experience is likely to be closely watched by policymakers in other African cities where rapid urban expansion has increased demand for recycling services, yet investment in infrastructure and workforce development has lagged.

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