Genelcam Secures US$1.70M waste collection contract in Douala as city confronts persistent sanitation challenges

CAMEROON – The City of Douala has awarded Cameroonian sanitation services firm Genelcam a CFA954 million (US$1.70m) contract to manage household waste collection and transport in the city’s 4th district beginning January 2026.

The move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen waste management capacity amid rising waste volumes and persistent collection gaps.

The contract was confirmed by Mayor Roger Mbassa Ndine during the December 31, 2025 session of the Douala Urban Community (CUD), which approved the city’s CFA66 billion (US$117.28m) municipal budget for 2026, representing a 9% decline from the previous year.

Despite budget constraints, the city allocated CFA7 billion (US$12.44m) to waste management as it moves to address chronic sanitation challenges.

According to CUD data, Douala generates nearly 2,700 tonnes of household waste daily, yet only about 1,800 tonnes, roughly 70%, are collected by Hysacam, the long-standing operator responsible for four of the city’s five districts.

With nearly 30% of waste left uncollected, refuse buildup across streets and public spaces has raised public health concerns and heightened pressure on local authorities to improve service delivery.

The introduction of Genelcam as a second operator aims to reinforce collection capacity and reduce the heavy reliance on Hysacam.

Authorities emphasized that Genelcam was selected through a competitive bidding process and that its deployment forms part of a phased approach to diversifying waste management services in the metropolis.

Upstream, the CUD has earmarked CFA100 million (US$0.18m) for district councils to procure bins, bags and pre-collection tools through local associations and SMEs.

These resources are intended to enhance the pre-collection stage, an area long identified as a bottleneck in Douala’s waste management chain, and ensure more efficient transfer of waste to collection points.

Waste management is among the six strategic priorities outlined by the urban executive for 2026. Beyond collection and transport, the city plans to invest in transfer centers to support waste sorting and recycling.

These centers, officials say, will create opportunities for specialized firms to expand circular economy initiatives such as plastics recovery, composting and material reprocessing, sectors that remain underdeveloped in Cameroon but are gaining momentum across Africa.

Cities across Central and West Africa, including Lagos, Abidjan and Kinshasa, are also introducing multi-operator waste collection models to boost efficiency and create competition in service delivery.

Rising urbanization and mounting waste volumes continue to push municipalities toward diversified service providers, public-private partnerships and circular economy investments.

Genelcam’s entry into Douala’s waste management landscape marks a significant step toward improving collection rates and restoring urban sanitation in Cameroon’s economic capital.

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