Cameroun builds energy accounts to enhance smart energy policies
Yaoundé, June 2026 – Cameroon is taking a bold step toward sustainable development by creating advanced energy accounts. This initiative, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and its Central Africa sub-regional office alongside the African Centre for Statistics, is being implemented in collaboration with Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA project.
A five-day workshop in Douala, from June 22 to 26, 2026, brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners. The goal? To map out the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements needed to develop energy accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This internationally recognized UN framework ensures accurate measurement of the interplay between the economy, energy use, and environmental impact.
Why energy accounts matter for Cameroon
Energy accounts serve as a powerful statistical tool, linking energy data—covering extraction, production, transformation, consumption, and trade—to the country’s economic activities and environmental emissions. They provide a unified view of how energy flows shape economic growth, job creation, and greenhouse gas emissions.
These accounts empower policymakers to answer critical questions: Which sectors consume the most energy? How is energy transformed and utilized? What is its contribution to national wealth? How do energy policies influence economic growth, employment, and emissions? Beyond data, they offer actionable insights for investments in the country’s energy transition.
Aligning with national and global development goals
Cameroon’s energy account initiative aligns closely with the Vision 2035 and the National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (SND30). Both frameworks prioritize structural transformation, sustainable industrialization, and energy transition as cornerstones of the nation’s future.
Moreover, these accounts will play a vital role in tracking progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on affordable and clean energy, climate action, and sustainable resource management.
A roadmap for smarter energy governance
The Douala workshop marks a pivotal phase in the development of Cameroon’s energy accounts. Participants will assess available data, identify gaps, and craft a practical roadmap for compiling these accounts. This process is part of the National Plan for Environmental and Economic Accounting (PNDEAE), adopted in 2023 as Cameroon’s blueprint for implementing environmental-economic accounting.
The initiative is backed by technical guidance aligned with international standards, specialized expertise—including support from the UK’s Office for National Statistics—and ongoing assistance throughout the compilation process. By strengthening national statistical capacity, Cameroon is positioning itself to make data-driven decisions that balance energy needs, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.
