Yaoundé: A capital frozen in the 1960s, 70s and the case for a new capital

By Hans Ngala

It doesn’t take an expert for one to notice the rather old buildings that make up most of the key landmarks in Yaounde, Cameroon’s political capital. Except for a few buildings at the 20th May Boulevard and Avenue Kennedy, most buildings in downtown Yaounde were erected between the 1950s, 60s, and 70s and look almost the same (or worse off) than they were in those early years.
The current Treasury building around the Central Post Office (Post Centrale) into which a heavy-duty truck crashed sometime last year, is as old as the 1940s and is still being used today this day even though billions of CFA are made and stored in this place.
Buildings hosting the Ministry of Finance and Public Health are also as old as time itself and have not had any renovations in years.
It is the same with buildings hosting the Ministry of Basic Education and the building hosting the offices of the Red Cross directly opposite the road from the Ministry of Basic Education. None of these buildings have received a fresh coat of paint in ages.
As Yaounde’s population continues to grow, the government needs to consider scaling back on some services in a new capital city because it is now very obvious that Yaounde is frozen in time, or at least, the demand for services is more than authorities can keep up with.
Waste goes uncollected for weeks and months in some parts, other parts like Mvan and Obili have human waste flowing in the streets and pipe-borne water is lacking in many of the city’s slums in places such as the student residential area of Bonas, Ecole des Postes, and many others.
As someone privileged to travel to other African cities like Accra, Nairobi, Kigali, Addis Abab,a and Cape Town, I have seen firsthand the contrast between these advancing African cities and Yaounde and it is as stark as the difference between night and day.

The Case for Buea as a Co-Capital

In light of the growing challenges faced by Yaoundé, it is worth considering the possibility of decentralizing the nation’s administrative functions and designating a new capital or co-capital in Buea. Located in the South-West region, Buea stands out as an ideal location. Not only is it geographically well-placed to serve as a counterbalance to Yaoundé, but its location could also address some of the political and social grievances currently affecting the Anglophone population.
The ongoing Anglophone Crisis in the North-West and South-West regions has intensified tensions between Anglophones and the government and highlighted the logistical challenges of managing a unified nation from a single capital. By shifting some governmental functions to Buea, the government would not only ease the overcrowding and infrastructural strain in Yaoundé but also signal a commitment to addressing the concerns of the Anglophone minority. Such a move could be seen as a concrete effort toward national reconciliation, helping to bridge the divide between Cameroon’s Anglophone and Francophone communities.
There are compelling historical examples of other countries successfully decentralizing their capitals, which could serve as a model for Cameroon. In Nigeria, for instance, the capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja in the 1990s. The decision was driven by both logistical considerations and aesthetic goals: Lagos had become overcrowded and was facing severe infrastructure challenges, while Abuja, located in the center of the country, provided a more neutral and accessible location. The shift to Abuja allowed for better management of the nation’s growing population, improved infrastructure, and the creation of a more orderly, modern capital.
Similarly, Egypt is currently building a new capital city, designed to alleviate the pressures on Cairo. The decision is driven by the need to address Cairo’s severe traffic congestion, pollution, and overcrowding. By relocating key government functions to a new, purpose-built city, Egypt hopes to create a more sustainable and livable urban environment for its citizens.
In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country has two capitals: Sarajevo and Mostar. This dual-capital arrangement was designed as a way to manage the country’s ethno-linguistic divisions, with Sarajevo serving as the capital for Bosniaks and Mostar representing the Croats. This model has helped to ease tensions and promote a sense of balance between the different ethnic groups, providing an example of how shared governance can address deep-rooted divisions.
South Africa even has up to three different capitals and the country functions quite effectively with these three capitals in Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. Cameroon could learn from these countries with multiple capitals.

The Benefits for Yaoundé

A move to decentralize the capital from Yaounde would also bring tangible benefits to Yaoundé itself. The city, which has become frozen in time – stuck in the 1960s – is now struggling with a lack of space for new developments. As a result, urban sprawl has led to poorly planned, low-quality housing and infrastructure, worsening the city’s traffic congestion, drainage problems, and overall quality of life. The lack of space for major real estate developments has meant that critical infrastructure projects—such as road expansions, waste management systems, and affordable housing—are either delayed or never completed.
By decentralizing some administrative functions, Buea could take some of the pressure off Yaoundé, providing space for the city to focus on much-needed renovations and urban planning. In turn, Yaoundé could begin the long process of modernizing its infrastructure, improving public services, and becoming a more livable city once again. The construction of a new capital city or co-capital in Buea would offer Yaoundé the breathing room it desperately needs, both physically and administratively.
The time has come for Cameroon to seriously consider the case for a new capital or co-capital. By decentralizing some of the nation’s administrative functions to Buea, the government would not only address the logistical and aesthetic challenges faced by Yaoundé but also take a significant step toward national reconciliation and modernization. With the experiences of other countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in mind, there is ample precedent for such a move, and it could very well mark the beginning of a new chapter in Cameroon’s urban and political development.