The fourth population and housing census in Cameroon has hit rough waters. Originally scheduled to conclude on May 29, the nationwide enumeration has been extended by two months following a decree signed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Far from calming concerns, this decision has amplified complaints from civil society groups, which highlight systemic failures in an operation critical for national policy planning.
Philippe Nanga, coordinator of the NGO Un Monde Avenir, did not mince words. He described the process as marred by “systemic chaos,” a characterization that underscores the gravity of the situation. Among the most glaring issues, he pointed to a logistical breakdown in Douala—the country’s economic hub—where enumerators abandoned their assignments after ten days without receiving any payment.
Why a census matters more than ever
A census is the backbone of any nation’s governance. It shapes electoral boundaries, guides budget allocations to local governments, and informs the construction of schools and hospitals. Reliable demographic data also underpins macroeconomic forecasts. Cameroon’s last official census in 2005 left the country grappling with outdated statistics for nearly two decades. The stakes for this fourth edition were higher than mere data collection—they were about restoring credibility to national planning.
The two-month extension is a tacit admission of the challenges plaguing the operation. Incomplete coverage in rural areas, delayed equipment distribution, and inadequate training for enumerators have plagued the process since its launch. The work stoppage in Douala reveals a deeper structural flaw: the failure to ensure timely compensation for frontline workers in a project of this scale.
Civil society’s watchful eye
Philippe Nanga’s public criticism, delivered through Un Monde Avenir, reflects a broader vigilance among Cameroonian civil society groups monitoring institutional processes. His concerns are not about derailing the census but about demanding accountability for its execution. The central question remains: Can results gathered under such conditions be trusted? In Cameroon, where disputes over official statistics—whether demographic or electoral—have repeatedly sparked controversy, this is no minor issue.
The government’s extension provides a theoretical opportunity to correct course. However, financial commitments must align with the timeline. Observers warn that a rushed operation risks producing only a partial snapshot of Cameroon’s population. International partners, including the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund, traditionally support such exercises in Africa and are closely monitoring methodological rigor in national censuses.
Lessons for francophone Africa
Beyond Cameroon’s borders, this census debacle highlights a shared challenge across francophone Africa: conducting comprehensive population counts amid tight budgets, difficult terrain, and security threats in certain regions. The 2005 Cameroonian census itself faced repeated delays before final results were published in 2010. Two decades later, the country continues to struggle with executing statistical operations on sustainable timelines.
As the extended deadline approaches, Philippe Nanga’s intervention could shape public discourse. The government’s next steps—transparency in the process, clearing outstanding payments to enumerators, and releasing interim indicators—will determine whether this census becomes a case study in administrative failure or a model of scientific rigor. Without these measures, it risks being remembered less for its contributions and more for its shortcomings.
