For the municipal authorities of Yaoundé, this represents a pivotal moment to bring order to the city’s taxi transport sector.

“This registration for all taxi owners and drivers operating in Yaoundé, established by a municipal decree on June 25, 2026, is not optional. It is mandatory, and the door number assigned to each taxi after successful registration will be the sole valid identifier,” stated Luc Messi, the Mayor of Yaoundé.

Previously, taxi door numbers were often haphazardly applied by sign painters, lacking any robust security features.

This situation is set to change, according to Catherine Kalisa, a technical advisor for the Yaoundé Green Mobility project, which spearheaded the digital platform. “The platform will furnish the city of Yaoundé with a comprehensive database, thereby enhancing the security of urban transport operations,” she explained.

At the launch of this initiative, a handful of taxi drivers promptly completed the registration process.

Registration period concludes on October 5

Jacques Didi, a taxi driver, expressed his strong disapproval, viewing the measure as a government deception. “Instead of addressing critical road infrastructure issues, the authorities are introducing something entirely different – a QR code that supposedly controls and secures taxi drivers. I assure you, this will not succeed,” he asserted.

Conversely, Patrice Samen, a prominent figure in Cameroon’s transport unions, harbors hope that this move will finally put an end to the pervasive problem of illegal transport in Yaoundé. “The government has at last heeded our calls, as we constantly pressed them regarding illegal transport and unauthorized drivers. We will urge all taxi drivers to get identified,” he declared.

The digital registration drive for taxis is scheduled to conclude on October 5. Following this deadline, the Mayor of Yaoundé has announced that sanctions will be imposed against all non-compliant taxi drivers and owners.