Yaoundé, June 2026 – Cameroon is taking a significant step toward strengthening its energy governance with the development of comprehensive energy accounts. Under the guidance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Central Africa sub-regional office and the African Centre for Statistics, the country is receiving technical support to establish a robust framework for tracking energy flows, production, and consumption in alignment with international standards.
In collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank, as part of the HISWACA project, an intensive workshop is underway in Douala from June 22 to 26, 2026. The event brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners to assess available data, identify gaps, and define the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements for compiling energy accounts in accordance with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This globally recognized framework, adopted by the United Nations, provides a structured approach to measuring the interplay between economic activity and environmental impact.
Why energy accounting matters for Cameroon
Energy accounts serve as a powerful analytical tool, linking energy production, transformation, consumption, and trade to broader economic activities while accounting for environmental residuals. This integrated perspective enables policymakers to address critical questions: How much energy is produced domestically? Which sectors are the largest consumers? How is energy transformed and utilized across industries? What is its contribution to economic growth? How do energy policies influence job creation and greenhouse gas emissions?
By providing clear insights into these dynamics, energy accounting empowers Cameroon to make data-driven decisions that support sustainable development, economic diversification, and climate resilience. In a period of rising energy demand, evolving security challenges, and mounting climate pressures, reliable and comprehensive energy statistics are indispensable for crafting policies and investment strategies grounded in evidence.
Aligning energy policy with national priorities
The development of energy accounts directly supports Cameroon’s Vision 2035 and the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30). Both frameworks prioritize structural transformation, sustainable industrialization, and energy transition as cornerstones of the country’s long-term growth. By embedding environmental and economic considerations into policy planning, Cameroon can better align its development trajectory with global sustainability goals.
The energy accounts will also play a pivotal role in tracking progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and responsible resource management (SDG 12). Beyond mere statistical tracking, these accounts will enable Cameroon to evaluate the effectiveness of its energy policies, enhance coherence between economic planning and natural resource management, and ensure that environmental sustainability is a central pillar of public decision-making.
Key objectives of the Douala workshop
The workshop in Douala represents a critical milestone in Cameroon’s energy accounting journey. Participants will collaborate to:
- Identify user needs and data requirements for compiling energy accounts;
- Assess the availability and quality of existing energy data;
- Pinpoint gaps and challenges in statistical methodologies;
- Develop a clear operational roadmap for the future compilation of energy accounts.
This initiative is part of Cameroon’s broader National Plan for Environmental and Economic Accounting (PNDEAE), adopted in 2023 as the country’s reference framework for integrating environmental and economic accounting into national planning. The PNDEAE identifies energy accounting as a priority area for operationalizing sustainable development metrics across Cameroon’s public sector.
A collaborative effort for sustainable development
The technical support provided to Cameroon includes adherence to international statistical standards, access to specialized expertise—including from the UK’s Office for National Statistics—and continuous technical assistance throughout the energy accounting process. By strengthening its statistical capacities and promoting evidence-based policymaking, Cameroon is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy governance within the region.
