To reconfigure water supply network: CAMWATER signs financing deals worth FCFA 111.6 billion with three firms.

The Director General of CAMWATER, Dr Blaise Moussa, and representatives of three international companies selected to execute the works, signed the deals. 

The signing ceremony was presided by the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Alamine Ousmane Mey. 

It was in the presence of the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba.

The large-scale initiative, according to officials, concerns the populations of Yaounde and surrounding localities such as Soa, Akak, Mfou, Bikok and Mbankomo.

The localities, it was said, continue to face limited access to drinking water or frequent service interruptions. 

Non-domestic subscribers, including industries, schools, and hospitals, are also expected to be key beneficiaries of the project, it was said.

According to officials, the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, authorised MINEPAT in April 2025 to sign the financing agreements. 

With the contracts now signed, the start of work is imminent, marking a new phase in the drive to modernise urban water infrastructure, officials stated.

The project, it was stated, seeks to increase water absorption capacity from the current 300,000 cubic meters per day to 480,000 cubic meters per day, drawing supply from the Batchenga through PAEPYS, Akomnyada and Mefou stations. 

Authorities noted that the project also aims to eliminate rationing and guarantee a minimum pressure of 1.5 bar across the entire network.

In practical terms, the programme, it was said, will create 30,000 new connections, raise network efficiency from 52 percent to 75 percent, and boost CAMWATER’s turnover in the Yaounde area by an estimated 60 percent.

Improved reliability is expected to encourage higher per-capita consumption and significantly reduce technical losses caused by aging pipes.

The project, we gathered, is scheduled to run for over 36 months. Authorities explained that the three major international partners will handle different parts of the project.

The Belgian consortium, PUTMAN/PHONIX Environment, will handle Lots 1 and 2.1, including the creation of three new peripheral distribution zones.

Its work, officials detailed, involve the construction of pumping stations and reservoirs in Abomé, Zibi Antenne, and Minkoameyos, as well as the installation of 85 kilometers of primary and secondary pipelines. The same company, will replace obsolete iron and steel pipes.

ASPAC Technics still from Belgium, it was said, will be in charge of Lot 2.2. Its task will be to reinforce and extend the network with 62 kilometers of new pipes in key neighborhoods and secure strategic transfer lines, including the Etoudi–Nkoayos and Grande Mosquée–Messa corridors.

Gruppo Aturia, an Italian company, responsible for Lot 3, authorities told the media, will focus on the tertiary network with the installation of 300 kilometers of HDPE pipes and the supply of 30,000 complete connection kits to ensure that water reaches households effectively.

Financing, development vision

According to officials, financing for the first two lots, amounting to 111.6 billion FCFA, has been finalised with ING Bank Belgium and Belfius Bank, while the third lot valued at 25.2 billion FCFA is backed by Deutsche Bank. 

The three operators, authorities stated, will work simultaneously in different zones to ensure rapid progress.

It was stated that, the programme provides for the creation of three new distribution areas, the construction of giant reservoirs totalling 13,250 cubic meters of storage capacity, and the laying of 455 kilometers of new pipelines.

It also includes the replacement of dilapidated infrastructure and the installation of complete connection kits following the full cycle principle, guaranteeing that water effectively reaches domestic taps.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3708 of Thursday February 19, 2026