Cameroun Maires: Ordres Professionnels Renforcent Sécurité Bâtiments

• A tripartite framework agreement was signed on September 3, 2026, by CVUC, ONAC, and ONIGC to enhance building safety in Cameroon.
• The agreement aims to improve monitoring of private construction sites after permit issuance, responding to recurring building collapses.
• Key provisions include mandatory joint project management by architects and engineers, a site monitoring log, and critical validation points at construction stages.
• The convention also introduces progressive payment for professionals' fees and seeks to restore municipal administrative control over construction.
• A pilot phase will be implemented in voluntary communes, featuring digitalization of the monitoring log and agent training.

This pivotal convention brings together key stakeholders in Cameroon's construction sector: the Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun (CVUC), the Ordre National des Architectes du Cameroun (ONAC), and the Ordre National des Ingénieurs de Génie Civil (ONIGC).

In a significant move to bolster building safety and curb the alarming frequency of structural failures, a landmark tripartite framework agreement was officially signed on Wednesday, September 3, 2026. This pivotal convention brings together key stakeholders in Cameroon's construction sector: the Communes et Villes Unies du Cameroun (CVUC), the Ordre National des Architectes du Cameroun (ONAC), and the Ordre National des Ingénieurs de Génie Civil (ONIGC). The primary objective of this collaboration between Cameroun maires and professional orders is to establish robust oversight mechanisms for private construction projects, ensuring enhanced security for buildings across the nation.

The agreement specifically targets the post-permit phase of construction, aiming to eliminate the previous laxity where building permits were often issued without subsequent rigorous monitoring. This new accord represents a concerted effort by the CVUC, ONAC, and ONIGC to impose order and accountability within the building and public works (BTP) sector, which has been plagued by issues leading to tragic incidents. The convention is designed to fundamentally change how private construction sites are managed and supervised, introducing a new era of compliance and safety standards.

The impetus for this comprehensive agreement stems directly from a national crisis marked by a distressing recurrence of building collapses. These incidents have not only resulted in significant material damage but have also tragically claimed lives, casting a shadow over the country's urban development. The signatories recognized an urgent need to intervene and implement stringent measures to prevent further catastrophes, signaling an end to the prevailing disorder that has characterized parts of the construction industry.

For too long, the process of obtaining a building permit in Cameroon has often been disconnected from the actual execution and supervision of construction work. This disconnect allowed for deviations from approved plans and substandard practices to proliferate unchecked. The new convention seeks to bridge this gap, ensuring that the initial approval process is followed by continuous, mandatory oversight throughout the construction lifecycle, thereby safeguarding public safety and restoring confidence in the built environment.

Central to the new framework are several concrete safeguards designed to enforce compliance and improve construction quality. A cornerstone provision mandates joint project management, or `maîtrise d'œuvre conjointe Cameroun`, requiring the obligatory involvement of both an architect and an engineer on all private construction sites. This collaborative approach aims to ensure comprehensive professional oversight from design to completion.

Further strengthening site monitoring, the agreement introduces a mandatory site monitoring log, or `carnet de suivi de chantier Cameroun`. This log will document all stages of construction, providing a transparent record of progress and adherence to standards. Additionally, the convention stipulates critical validation points at various stages of the work, requiring official approval before proceeding to the next phase. To prevent project abandonment and ensure sustained professional engagement, a progressive payment mechanism for professionals' fees has also been established. These new rules represent a significant shift in `droit construction Cameroun nouvelles règles`, emphasizing accountability and continuous professional involvement.

Beyond technical specifications, the agreement carries a clear political ambition: to prevent construction defects, halt unauthorized modifications to approved plans, and, crucially, reinstate the administrative control of municipalities. Local mairies have often found their oversight authority bypassed or undermined, contributing to the chaotic development seen in some areas. This convention empowers them to reclaim their role in ensuring public safety and adherence to urban planning regulations.

To facilitate a smooth transition and integration of these new processes, a pilot phase will be launched in selected voluntary communes. This initial rollout will incorporate two significant innovations: the digitalization of the site monitoring log, streamlining record-keeping and accessibility, and comprehensive training for agents responsible for enforcing these new regulations. This phased approach aims to refine the system before its broader implementation, ensuring that the enhanced `Cameroun permis de construire suivi` mechanisms are effective and sustainable.

Lawyers advising clients in the Cameroonian construction sector must be aware of the new tripartite agreement imposing mandatory joint project management by architects and engineers, enhanced site monitoring logs, and critical validation points for private construction projects. This signifies increased compliance obligations and municipal oversight for developers, contractors, and design professionals.

Source: Original reporting via {source}