Yaoundé, June 22, 2026 – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is providing Cameroon with technical support to develop comprehensive energy accounts, a critical step toward smarter energy, economic, and environmental policies.
In collaboration with Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA initiative, UNECA is organizing a technical workshop in Douala from June 22 to 26, 2026. The event brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners to jointly assess available data and define the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements needed to compile energy accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)—the globally recognized UN framework for tracking the interplay between economies and the environment.
Why energy accounting matters for Cameroon
Energy accounts serve as a powerful statistical tool, linking data on energy extraction, production, transformation, consumption, and trade with economic activities and environmental impacts. This integrated approach provides policymakers with a clearer picture of:
- How much energy is produced domestically?
- Which economic sectors are the heaviest energy consumers?
- How energy is transformed and utilized across industries?
- Its contribution to economic growth and job creation?
- Its impact on greenhouse gas emissions and climate goals?
By answering these questions, energy accounting empowers Cameroon to make evidence-based decisions on investments, energy security, and its transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
The initiative aligns closely with two of Cameroon’s key development frameworks: Vision 2035 and the National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (SND30). Both prioritize structural transformation, sustainable industrialization, and energy transition as cornerstones of national progress.
Measuring progress toward climate and SDG goals
Beyond policy planning, energy accounts will play a vital role in monitoring Cameroon’s progress toward meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and responsible resource management (SDG 12).
The Douala workshop marks a pivotal moment in the energy accounting process. Participants will identify user needs, evaluate existing data gaps, and chart a clear roadmap for compiling accurate, reliable energy statistics. This effort is part of the broader National Plan for Environmental-Economic Accounting (PNDEAE), adopted by Cameroon in 2023 to guide the implementation of SEEA across key sectors.
Building capacity and ensuring global standards
UNECA’s support goes beyond technical guidance. The initiative includes:
- Adoption of internationally recognized methodological standards
- Expertise from specialized agencies, including the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS)
- Ongoing technical assistance throughout the compilation process
This comprehensive approach ensures Cameroon’s energy accounts are not only robust and reliable but also fully aligned with global best practices. By strengthening national statistical capacity, the country is better equipped to design policies that balance economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
