YAOUNDÉ V : The Essos Commercial Complex Site Illustrates the Growth of Local Development

(LVDE) — The Yaoundé V municipality officially launched the construction of its annex commercial complex in Essos on January 7, 2026. The solemn ceremony, attended by government officials and numerous local elites, marks a new stage in the modernization of the capital’s commercial infrastructure.

Under a lively sky and before an attentive crowd, the laying of the first stone of the Essos annex commercial complex set the tone for a project long awaited by local residents. On this day, administrative authorities, political leaders, community figures, and citizens gathered at the site to witness what was presented as a turning point in the organization of commercial activity in Yaoundé V. Among those present were the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, as well as Ministers Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa and Mbarga Mboa, alongside several Mfoundi department elites showing their support.

In his speech, the mayor framed the project within the vision carried by the municipal executive since the beginning of its mandate. According to him, this future commercial center addresses an urgent need: providing traders with modern, functional infrastructure capable of structuring the local economy and reducing the equipment deficit that still affects the commune. The facility is also designed as a concrete solution to the overcrowding of nearby food markets, often faced with unplanned space occupation and organizational challenges. While emphasizing that the market represents a heritage of the Yaoundé Urban Community, the mayor stressed the need for better planning to accompany the growth of commercial activities.

Despite budgetary constraints, the municipality has already achieved several advances. Five commercial spaces were completed in recent months, including the cattle market inaugurated on November 26, 2025, by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries. According to the municipal executive, these achievements reflect a commitment to act progressively but sustainably.

The Essos annex commercial complex, with a projected construction period of ten months, represents an investment of 1.17 billion FCFA. Financing is jointly provided by FEICOM and the Yaoundé V municipality, illustrating the complementarity between national support mechanisms for local authorities and the commune’s own efforts. Another major announcement made on this occasion is that the Yaoundé V town hall, whose construction began in 2020, is expected to be delivered and inaugurated before the next municipal election, further strengthening the institutional profile of the local government.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development praised the commitment of the mayor and his team. He described the project as a concrete example of the local development momentum promoted by decentralized territorial authorities, called upon to play a central role in improving the living environment of citizens. In Essos, beyond the laying of the first stone, it is the hope for a better organized and more attractive commune that was officially launched.

Esther Grace