“Yaoundé today bears little resemblance to the city I knew twenty years ago,” reflects a lifelong resident of Cameroon’s capital. “The skyline has transformed with modern infrastructure, but what truly amazes me is its expansion beyond the iconic seven hills.”

Mbarga Obama, a nonagenarian who has witnessed the city’s evolution firsthand, shares his pride in Yaoundé’s growth. “Previously, urban life centered around Atemengué Plateau, with only modest progress in areas like Mokolo and Nlong-Kak, while the rest remained semi-rural,” he recalls.

Decades later, the former village now draws thousands of newcomers annually, swelling its population and absorbing neighboring localities into its urban fabric. This rapid expansion has reshaped the city’s identity, prompting urgent questions about sustainable development.

Urban planners, including Blaise Feugang—regional delegate for Housing and Urban Development in Nyong and So’o—advocate for vertical construction as the solution. “In a city like Yaoundé, building upward is not just economical but essential,” Feugang argues. “It optimizes infrastructure investment while enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal.”

Many experts suggest that for Yaoundé to meet international urban standards, Cameroon must reconsider its capital’s location entirely. Until then, improving housing conditions for families remains a priority.