National Waste Exchange: Cameroon Seeks To Drive Circular Economy, Assure Job Creation

In an exclusive interview with Cameroon Tribune Online on August 12, 2026, Maximilien Ze Yves, the Deputy General Manager of the Bourse Nationale des Déchets (National Waste Exchange, BND), outlined the operational strides, commercial dynamics, and future trajectory of Cameroon's national waste market platform. Six months following its official launch, the BND is transitioning Cameroon’s waste management model from basic sanitation to a high-value circular economy.

Operational Gains

Since its official launch on February 12, 2026, by the Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDD), the BND has focused on establishing its legal framework, onboarding administrative stakeholders, and testing its technical architecture.

The BND operates entirely via digital channels. The exchange successfully conducted validation tests on its trading platform and software with industry operators, backed by introductory webinars to train sector actors, the Deputy General Manager disclosed.

Progress To Date

According to Maximilien Ze, the platform has registered 80 distinct companies, translating to 104 user accounts/memberships. Membership profiles cater to specific operational roles, including buyers, sellers, and certified transporters. The BND has built operational touchpoints across government ministries to secure end-to-end regulatory compliance.

Duties

BND provides supervisory oversight and issues mandatory cargo manifests certifying safety and traceability from origin to destination. Supervises market transaction rules and ensures all waste weighing instruments are calibrated and certified by national metrology services. Cooperates on local council pre-collection infrastructure, establishing modern waste sorting hubs (such as operational pilot sites in Yaoundé I at Olembé and Yaoundé V Subdivisional Council).

And ensures active outreach continues with MINMIDT (Industry), MINSMED (SMEs), MINTOUR (Tourism/Hotels), MINSANTE (Hospitals), MINT (Transport), and national law enforcement. Meanwhile, Ebolowa and Kumba City Councils have formally subscribed to the Exchange. Advanced engagements are underway with the Yaounde City Council and several subdivisional councils in the capital.

Growth Dynamics

The BND’s strategic business plan projects substantial growth in subscription volume, financial turnover, and macroeconomic impact over the next five years. By the end of 2026, the BND targets an active subscriber base of 500 companies and memberships. The structure started with an initial share capital of about 360 million FCFA. Which is supported by a base investment of 256 million FCFA and working capital requirements of 139 million FCFA. Bringing the total initial cost to 395 million FCFA.

Medium-Term Prospects

Financially, the platform projects a first-year turnover of 407 million CFA francs, rising to 485 million CFA francs by the third year to reach its break-even point. Over a five-year horizon, the Exchange forecasts generating 1.6 billion FCFA in value creation, a cumulative net margin of 417 million FCFA in distributable profits for shareholders. Some 780 million FCFA allocated to employee payroll, and 717 million FCFA paid out for third-party services and supplies.

Economic, Environmental Impact

The BND aims to divert at least 120,000 tons of waste annually from landfills through systematically organized recycling and reuse. Secure direct added national value exceeding 280 million FCFA per year. With an estimated 4.5 billion FCFA per year in total resource value circulating through the domestic recovery ecosystem.

The Exchange was launched with 30 direct technical and administrative positions in its headquarters in Yaounde. Alongside widespread indirect job creation across recycling plants, equipment manufacturers (e.g., plastic crushers), and municipal collection ventures. According to Ze Yves, BND is expected to replace raw material imports with domestic recycled inputs. Thereby supporting the "Made in Cameroon" initiative and improving the national trade balance.

Corporate Structure, Market Scope

The Bourse Nationale des Déchets is a semi-public company (société d'économie mixte) developed over a nine-year design phase and legally established in June 2025. The State of Cameroon (under the supervisory authority of MINEPDD) is the majority shareholder. Private and institutional shareholders include municipalities. Alongside major waste management corporations, including HYSACAM, EcoGreen, THYCHLOF, and specialized...