The 40th edition of World Habitat Day was celebrated in Maroua, Cameroon, with a closing ceremony presided over by Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Célestine Ketcha Courtès. The event, which took place on October 6, 2026, brought together several government officials, including Ministers Mounouna Foutsou, Ibrahim Talba Malla, and Yaouba Abdoulaye. The ceremony marked the end of several days of activities in Maroua, which was declared the Cameroonian capital of decent housing.
The celebration was held under the theme "A worthy roof for each family, sustainable, inclusive, intelligent, and resilient cities for all." The event provided an opportunity to highlight the efforts made by public authorities and their partners to improve the living conditions of the population. The ceremony included the awarding of prizes to recognize the efforts of local authorities, administrations, and partners who contribute to the improvement of the urban environment.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the awarding of the "Clean City Prize" to the Ayos commune, which was recognized for its efforts in hygiene and cleanliness. Several other special prizes were also awarded to actors in the housing and sanitation sector. These distinctions aim to salute the commitment of decentralized territorial authorities, administrations, and partners who contribute to the daily improvement of the urban environment.
In his speech, Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtès presented a report on the projects and programs implemented in Maroua and other localities in the Far North region. The investments, estimated at over 100 billion FCFA, focused on the construction and rehabilitation of urban infrastructure, road improvement, housing, and collective equipment. The Minister highlighted the importance of these projects in improving the living conditions of the population.
The World Habitat Day celebration in Cameroon aimed to raise awareness about the importance of decent housing and sustainable urban development. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. The government has been working to improve the living conditions of the population, particularly in urban areas, through various projects and programs.
The ceremony in Maroua was attended by several high-ranking government officials, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to achieve sustainable urban development. The event also provided an opportunity for the government to showcase its achievements in the housing and urban development sector. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development emphasized the need for continued efforts to address the challenges facing the sector.
The 40th World Habitat Day celebration in Cameroon concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to continue working together to improve the living conditions of the population. The government has reiterated its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the housing and urban development sector. The event has highlighted the importance of sustainable urban development and decent housing for all.
Key points
- The Cameroonian government has invested over 100 billion FCFA in urban infrastructure projects in the Far North region.
- The Ayos commune was awarded the "Clean City Prize" for its efforts in hygiene and cleanliness.
- The 40th World Habitat Day celebration in Cameroon was held under the theme "A worthy roof for each family, sustainable, inclusive, intelligent, and resilient cities for all."
