Access to safe drinking water in Cameroon has entered a new era. On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the esplanade of the Yaoundé VII City Hall in Minkoameyos hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the ambitious Drinking Water Supply Network Reconfiguration Project for the city of Yaoundé.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, alongside the Director General of the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation (CAMWATER), Dr. Blaise Moussa. It was attended by representatives of the Belgian and Italian diplomatic missions, government officials, local elected leaders, civil society representatives, and residents.
The project, initiated under the instructions of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, marks the beginning of a strategic investment designed to significantly improve water access across the capital and surrounding municipalities.
Tackling Water Shortages
For years, thousands of households in Yaoundé, Soa, Akak, Mfou, Bikok, and Mbankomo have experienced frequent water outages, low pressure, or no access to potable water.
The new project seeks to gradually eliminate these challenges by substantially increasing the city’s water distribution capacity.
The goal is to raise daily distribution capacity from approximately 300,000 cubic meters to 480,000 cubic meters, ensuring that the growing population has reliable access to clean drinking water.
A Massive Infrastructure Investment
Over the next 36 months, internationally renowned engineering firms will carry out extensive construction works.
The project includes:
Construction of new pumping stations;
Building of several large-capacity storage reservoirs;
Installation of nearly 450 kilometers of new pipelines;
Replacement of aging water mains;
Delivery of 30,000 new household water connections.
The upgraded infrastructure will also integrate water production from the Batchenga (PAEPYS), Akomnyada, and Mefou treatment plants, ensuring a more balanced distribution across the metropolitan area.
Building a More Resilient Capital
Beyond the engineering works, the project represents a significant investment in Yaoundé’s economic and social development.
Improved access to water will benefit schools, universities, hospitals, government institutions, businesses, and industries while enhancing the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of residents.
The Government views this initiative as another step toward making access to safe drinking water a sustainable reality for all citizens.
