The municipal authorities in Yaoundé, Cameroon, are seizing a crucial opportunity to bring order and enhanced security to the capital’s urban taxi transport sector. This comprehensive initiative aims to streamline operations and improve safety for both passengers and drivers.

Luc Messi, the Mayor of Yaoundé, emphasized that the new digital registration for taxi owners and drivers operating within the city is strictly mandatory. Instituted by a municipal decree on June 25, 2026, this measure makes the unique door number assigned after each registration the sole valid identifier for a taxi. This marks a significant shift from previous practices.

Historically, taxi door numbers were haphazardly painted by sign-makers, lacking any robust security features. This informal system often led to confusion and made effective regulation difficult for the city of Yaoundé.

Catherine Kalisa, a technical advisor for the Yaoundé Green Mobility project, which spearheaded the digital platform, confirmed that this new system will revolutionize urban transport. “The platform will furnish the city of Yaoundé with a comprehensive database, enabling greater security within the urban transport domain,” Kalisa stated, highlighting the project’s core objective.

At the launch of the operation, approximately ten taxi drivers promptly complied with the new digital registration requirements, signaling the initial phase of implementation.

Mixed reactions from Yaoundé taxi drivers

However, the initiative has not been met with universal approval. Jacques Didi, a taxi driver, expressed strong reservations, viewing the government’s move as a diversion. “Instead of addressing the critical issue of road conditions, authorities are introducing something else entirely – a QR code that supposedly controls and secures taxi drivers. I assure you, this will not succeed,” Didi asserted, reflecting a sentiment of skepticism among some drivers.

Conversely, Patrice Samen, a leading figure in transport unionism across Cameroon, voiced optimism. He believes this measure will finally put an end to the pervasive problem of illegal transport that has plagued Yaoundé for years. “The government has finally heeded our calls; we have been urging them daily about illegal transport and unauthorized drivers. We will now instruct all taxi drivers to undergo identification,” Samen declared, rallying support for the registration drive.

The deadline for this mandatory digital taxi registration is set for October 5. Following this date, the Mayor of Yaoundé has announced that stringent sanctions will be imposed on any non-compliant taxi drivers and owners.