Douala Economic Forum: Innovative Solutions Expected

T he city of Douala is preparing to host the fourth edition of the Douala Economic Fo­ rum on November 25 and 26, 2026, under the theme, “Douala: The Challenges of Urban Transfor­ mation.” The two-day event will mo­ bilise public authorities, private sec­ tor actors, development partners, academics, civil society and young people around practical solutions to the city’s urban development chal­ lenges. Organised against the backdrop of rapid urban growth and increasing pressure on mobility, housing, sani­ tation, infrastructure, the environ­ ment and employment, the forum will go beyond a platform for dis­ cussions into a space for concrete proposals, partnerships and com­ mitments. The above information was made public on Monday October 26 in a press conference organised by the coordinating unit of the forum. During the press conference, the general coordinator of the Douala Economic Forum, Olivier Kingue Molli, disclosed that the major highlight for the 2026 edition will be the Urban Trans­ formation Competition, designed to give young people the opportunity to identify problems affecting Douala and develop innovative solutions to address them. He said the competi­ tion will focus on four key areas: di­ gital transformation, sustainable de­ velopment, the social and solidarity economy. These priority areas are intended to encourage technology driven solutions, promote environ­ mental sustainability, strengthen community based economic initia­ tives and harness the financial and technical expertise of Cameroonians living abroad. Young people from universities, hi­ gher education institutions, youth associations and other backgrounds are invited to participate, either in­ dividually or collectively. Proposed solutions could address issues such as flooding, waste management, pu­ blic lighting, urban mobility, access to services and the general living conditions of residents. According to the focal person of the Urban Transformation Competition Nkene Zogo II Patrick Serges, the application platform will remain open throughout the year, allowing citi­ zens to continue submitting propo­ sals beyond the event itself. Howe­ ver, he said the deadline for the current compe...