Cameroon is about to sign a CFA21.4 billion contract with French company Sunna Design to deploy solar-powered street lighting across the country’s communes.
The planned deal which is viewed by Cameroonians as too exorbitant observers say goes deep than meets the eye.
A letter dated January 28, 2026, sent by the secretary-general of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, to the minister delegate at the presidency in charge of public contracts, Ibrahim Talba Malla, confirms a presidential approval for the project.
Â
According to the correspondence, President Paul Biya has authorized the minister of housing and urban development to award, through a negotiated procedure, a contract to Sunna Design for the supply and installation of 21,500 solar streetlights in 360 communes nationwide. The contract, which corresponds to phase one of the program, is valued at CFA21.4 billion, all taxes included.
If finalized, the project would form part of Cameroon’s broader efforts to expand the use of solar energy, which remains marginal in the national energy mix, accounting for about 1%. In recent years, however, solar solutions have gained ground, particularly in rural electrification and public lighting projects.
The expansion of off-grid and decentralized energy solutions aims to address persistent gaps in electricity access, especially outside major urban centers. According to data from the Ministry of Water and Energy, about 9,000 localities—representing 69% of the country’s 13,104 localities—still lack access to electricity.
Â
Authorities view solar public lighting as a way to improve basic services in municipalities while limiting reliance on the national grid, which remains constrained in many rural areas.
However, the public has been very critical on the exorbitant cost of the project especially at a time the country was facing financial difficulties and a surging debt record.
The social media is awash with criticism on the decision which many interpret as a scam to extort from state coffers.
Â
Â
Â
Â
