Sustainable Impact – The case of Cameroon
Sustainable impact initiatives in Cameroon focus on bridging infrastructure gaps, boosting climate resilience, and diversifying the economy to achieve emerging status by 2035. Key efforts include billion USD for green growth, sustainable cocoa farming, and urban resilience projects in Douala and Yaoundé. The government, supported by CAFI and the World Bank, aims to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030.
Key Areas of Sustainable Impact
- Environmental Conservation: Cameroon is protecting over 18 million hectares of forest, implementing reforestation, and combating biodiversity loss, particularly in the Congo Basin.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Initiatives like the Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative promote deforestation-free cocoa, boosting incomes for farmers while preserving forests.
- Green Urban Development: The Global Center on Adaptation supports upgrading infrastructure in flood-prone areas, improving drainage and land rights in major cities.
- Economic Diversification & Clean Energy: Projects focus on ecotourism, sustainable mining practices, and using waste for biochar to support clean cooking.
- Social Inclusion: Programs target women and youth in natural resource management, enhancing their economic opportunities through better access to financing.
Challenges and Strategies
Despite a 4% average post-COVID growth, 37.7% of the population lives in poverty, with high inequality between urban and rural areas. Challenges include armed conflict in northern/western regions, high debt distress, and climate-related shocks like droughts and floods. The strategy involves a 10-year (2025-2035) plan to transition to a green economy, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving public finance management.