The fourth national census in Cameroon is facing significant hurdles. Initially scheduled to conclude on May 29, the population and housing enumeration operation was extended by two months via a decree signed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Far from easing concerns, this decision has intensified criticism from civil society, which highlights widespread organizational failures in a process deemed critical for public policy planning.
Philippe Nanga, coordinator of the NGO Un Monde Avenir, did not mince his words. He described the operation as marred by “general chaos,” a characterization underscoring its importance for national planning. The activist points to a telling example in Douala, the country’s economic hub, where field agents abandoned their assignments after just ten days due to unpaid wages.
Why a flawed census jeopardizes national development
A census is the foundation of any government’s decision-making. It shapes electoral boundaries, allocates budgetary resources to local governments, and determines the scale of schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure. Cameroon’s last official census, conducted in 2005, left the country grappling with outdated demographic data for nearly two decades. The stakes of this fourth edition were thus far greater than mere data collection.
The two-month extension underscores the magnitude of challenges plaguing the operation. Incomplete rural coverage, delayed equipment distribution, and inadequate training for enumerators have plagued the process since its launch. The work stoppage in Douala reveals a deeper structural issue: the reliability of payment systems and human resource management for such a large-scale undertaking.
Civil society demands accountability in census process
Through Un Monde Avenir, Philippe Nanga represents a segment of Cameroonian civil society that closely monitors major institutional processes. His public statements are not an attempt to discredit the census but rather a call for transparency in its execution. The core question remains: Can results collected under these conditions be considered statistically valid and politically unassailable? This is no small matter in a country where disputes over official figures—whether demographic or electoral—are commonplace.
The government’s extension provides a theoretical window to address these issues. However, financial resources must follow. Observing NGOs warn that a rushed operation risks producing an incomplete snapshot of Cameroon’s population. International partners like the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund, which typically support such exercises, are also scrutinizing the methodological rigor of the census.
Lessons for francophone African states
The Cameroonian census saga reflects a broader challenge across francophone Africa: conducting reliable population counts amid tight budgets, difficult terrain, and security concerns. The 2005 census in Cameroon itself faced multiple delays before final results were released in 2010. Two decades later, the country continues to struggle with maintaining consistent census timelines.
As the extended deadline approaches, Philippe Nanga’s intervention could amplify public debate. Authorities are expected to demonstrate transparency in the process, settle outstanding payments to field agents, and release intermediate indicators. Otherwise, the fourth census may be remembered less for its scientific contributions and more for its administrative shortcomings.