Cameroun builds energy accounts to boost smart policies

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its subregional office for Central Africa and the African Centre for Statistics, is providing technical support to Cameroon for the development of its energy accounts. In collaboration with Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA project, an intensive workshop is underway in Douala from June 22 to 26, 2026, to identify needs for energy account development.

This workshop brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners. The goal is to jointly assess available data and outline the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements needed to establish energy accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This internationally recognized statistical framework, adopted by the United Nations, measures the interactions between the economy and the environment.

Energy accounts: a modern statistical tool linking energy, economy, and environment

Energy accounts provide a comprehensive view of how energy flows—from extraction and production to transformation, consumption, and trade—intersect with the country’s economic activities and environmental emissions. They serve as a powerful instrument for policymakers, enabling them to address critical questions: What is the volume of energy produced? Which sectors consume the most energy? How is energy transformed and utilized? What role does it play in wealth creation? How do energy policies impact economic growth, employment, and greenhouse gas emissions?

These accounts also guide investment decisions essential for the country’s energy transition. In an era of rising energy demand, growing energy security concerns, and climate change challenges, reliable, integrated statistics are vital for evidence-based policymaking and investment planning.

Energy accounts aligned with Cameroon’s development priorities

The development of energy accounts is closely aligned with Cameroon’s Vision 2035 and the 2020–2030 National Development Strategy (SND30). Both frameworks prioritize structural transformation, sustainable industrialization, and energy transition as key pillars of the country’s long-term growth.

These accounts will also support progress tracking toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on affordable and clean energy, climate action, and sustainable resource management.

Beyond their statistical function, energy accounts offer Cameroon a robust framework to assess policy effectiveness, enhance coherence between economic planning and natural resource management, and embed environmental considerations in public decision-making.

Workshop in Douala: laying the groundwork for future energy accounts

The Douala workshop marks a crucial milestone in the energy account development process. Participants will focus on identifying user needs, evaluating available data, pinpointing gaps, and crafting an operational roadmap for future energy account compilation.

This initiative is part of the National Plan for Environmental and Economic Accounting (PNDEAE), adopted by the Cameroonian government in 2023. The PNDEAE identifies energy accounting as a priority area for the practical implementation of environmental and economic accounting in the country.

Through this effort, the ECA continues to support Cameroon in strengthening its national statistical capacities and advancing environmental and economic accounting. The support includes methodological guidance aligned with international standards, access to specialized expertise—including from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics—and ongoing technical assistance throughout the energy account development process.