Yaoundé’s Waste Management Overhaul: Hysacam Wins 45.7 Billion FCFA Contracts

Hysacam, Cameroon’s leading private waste management company, has secured 45.7 billion FCFA (approximately EUR 69.5 million) in contracts to address the ongoing waste crisis in Yaoundé.

These contracts, awarded by the Communauté Urbaine de Yaoundé (CUY), are part of a larger effort to improve waste collection, street cleaning, and urban sanitation in the capital over the next five years.

Background on Yaoundé’s Waste Management Crisis

In recent months, Yaoundé has been grappling with severe waste management issues, with piles of garbage accumulating on sidewalks, in markets, and residential areas. The unsightly and unhealthy conditions sparked widespread public concern. In response, President Paul Biya called for immediate action in late 2023, urging the government to find a sustainable solution for waste collection in collaboration with local authorities.

Hysacam’s Role and Project Overview

Founded in 1969, Hysacam (an acronym for Hygiene et Santé au Cameroun) is the country’s number one private waste management contractor. Over the years, the company has built a strong reputation, despite facing periodic criticism for operational inconsistencies. Hysacam's role in this new contract is pivotal, as the company will be responsible for the waste collection and street cleaning in multiple districts of Yaoundé.

In this latest development, the CUY launched an international tender to improve the city’s waste management systems. The total project budget was set at 61.8 billion FCFA (EUR 93 million), with the aim of modernizing the capital’s infrastructure. After a delayed submission process, Hysacam was selected as the primary contractor for three out of four lots in the project. The awarded lots are as follows: Lot 1, valued at 17.3 billion FCFA (EUR 26 million), Lot 2 at 16.7 billion FCFA (EUR 25 million), and Lot 4 at 11.7 billion FCFA (EUR 17.5 million). Lot 3 remains unassigned due to a lack of suitable offers.

Key Tasks of the Project

The five-year contracts will focus on essential waste management tasks, including the collection of household waste, street sweeping, and cleaning of public markets. These actions are crucial to reducing congestion and restoring cleanliness to the city. Specifically, Lot 1 will handle waste collection and street cleaning in Yaoundé’s 1st and 5th municipal districts, while Lot 2 will cover the 2nd and 7th districts. Lot 4 is assigned to the 4th district.

Challenges and Future Outlook for Hysacam

Hysacam’s role in this project marks an opportunity to address its past operational shortcomings. Despite being the dominant player in the country’s waste management sector, the company has faced criticism for inconsistent service delivery. However, an internal source assures that these new contracts will help Hysacam improve its operational capacity and expand its services across more areas. Early reports suggest that the waste collection capacity will increase significantly, with the daily waste collection expected to rise from 1,300 tons to 1,800 tons per day.

Conclusion

This new phase in Yaoundé’s waste management represents a critical step toward a cleaner and healthier capital. Hysacam’s involvement in this project comes with both challenges and opportunities, but it is hoped that the company’s expanded role will help address the ongoing waste crisis in the city. With its long-standing history and the new funding secured through these contracts, Hysacam is poised to play a key role in transforming Yaoundé’s waste management systems and enhancing urban sanitation for the years to come.