Cameroon’s national census encounters significant operational hurdles and civil society outcry

The fourth national census in Cameroon is currently navigating a period of considerable difficulty. Originally slated to conclude on May 29th, the vital undertaking of counting the population and housing units received a two-month extension, formalized by a decree from Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Far from alleviating concerns, this decision has intensified criticism from segments of civil society, who point to severe organizational deficiencies in what should be a foundational statistical exercise for public policy formulation.

Philippe Nanga, coordinator of the non-governmental organization Un Monde Avenir, expressed his strong disapproval. He described a “general cacophony” surrounding a process he deems essential for national planning. Nanga highlighted a particularly telling example of the logistical disarray: in Douala, the nation’s economic hub, census agents reportedly abandoned their duties after just ten days in the field due to a complete lack of remuneration.

A Pivotal Statistical Endeavor Under Strain

For any nation, a comprehensive census serves as the bedrock of public administration. It directly influences electoral redistricting, the allocation of budgetary resources to local authorities, the appropriate sizing of educational and healthcare infrastructure, and the credibility of macroeconomic projections. Cameroon, whose last official population count dates back to 2005, has long suffered from a deficit of current demographic data. Consequently, the stakes for this fourth iteration extended far beyond mere numerical updates.

The two-month extension implicitly reveals the magnitude of the challenges encountered on the ground. Difficulties have mounted since the operation’s launch, including incomplete coverage in rural areas, delays in material distribution, and insufficient training for some enumerators. The social unrest triggered by agents in Douala further underscores a more systemic vulnerability: issues within the payment chain and the management of human resources deployed for such a massive undertaking.

Civil Society Vigilantly Oversees a Crucial Process

Philippe Nanga, through Un Monde Avenir, represents a segment of Cameroonian citizen organizations that rigorously monitor significant institutional processes. His public statements are less about discrediting the census itself and more about demanding accountability for its execution. Beneath the criticism lies a fundamental question: will the results produced under these conditions be statistically reliable and politically undeniable? This query is particularly pertinent in a country where controversies surrounding official figures, whether demographic or electoral, are a recurring theme.

The extension decreed by the Prime Minister’s office theoretically offers a window for corrective action. However, this hinges on adequate financial resources being made available. Observer NGOs warn of the risk that a rushed or poorly executed operation could ultimately provide only a partial snapshot of the Cameroonian population. International funders, such as the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which traditionally support such exercises across the continent, are also closely scrutinizing the methodological rigor of national enumerations.

A Clear Message to Public Authorities

Beyond Cameroon’s specific situation, this debate reflects a common challenge for several Francophone African states: organizing exhaustive censuses within contexts marked by tight budgetary constraints, difficult-to-access territories, and security challenges in certain regions. Cameroon’s previous census in 2005 also experienced successive postponements before its final results were published in 2010. Two decades later, the nation still struggles to adhere to feasible timelines for its statistical operations.

Nevertheless, Philippe Nanga’s public intervention could significantly influence the public debate as the additional deadline approaches. Authorities are expected to demonstrate transparency in the process, regularize outstanding payments to field agents, and communicate intermediate indicators. Failing this, the fourth national census risks being remembered in Cameroonian administrative history more for its shortcomings than for its scientific contributions.