The municipal authorities in Yaoundé are seizing a pivotal moment to introduce comprehensive regulation for the city’s taxi transport sector.

Luc Messi, the mayor of Yaoundé, underscored the imperative nature of this initiative. He stated that the registration of taxi owners and drivers operating within the capital, established by a municipal decree on June 25, 2026, is not optional. It is, in fact, mandatory, and the unique door number assigned to each taxi upon completion of this registration process will be the sole valid identifier moving forward.

Historically, taxi door numbers were applied by screen printers without robust security measures. This practice, often leading to inconsistencies and potential misuse, is now set to become a thing of the past.

Catherine Kalisa, a technical advisor for the Yaoundé green mobility project and an innovator behind the new digital platform, explained the transformative potential of this system. She highlighted that the platform will equip the city of Yaoundé with a centralized database, significantly enhancing the security and oversight of the urban transport domain.

At the launch of this significant operation, a modest number of taxi drivers — approximately a dozen — promptly complied with the new registration requirements.

digital registration campaign concludes October 5

However, not all reactions have been positive. Jacques Didi, a taxi driver, voiced strong criticism, perceiving the government’s move as a distraction. He argued, “Instead of addressing the pressing issue of road conditions, authorities are introducing something else entirely—a QR code that supposedly controls and secures taxi drivers. I assure you, this will not succeed.”

Conversely, Patrice Samen, a prominent figure in Cameroon’s transport unionism, expressed optimism for the initiative. He anticipates that it will finally put an end to the long-standing problem of illegal transport, which has been a persistent concern in Yaoundé. Samen urged, “The government has at last heard our pleas, as we daily challenge them regarding clandestine transport and unauthorized drivers. We will now call upon all taxi drivers to get themselves identified.”

The digital registration operation for taxis is slated to conclude on October 5. Following this deadline, the mayor of Yaoundé has announced that stringent sanctions will be imposed on any non-compliant taxi drivers and owners.