COP 22: the Veolia Foundation signs an agreement for a renewable public lighting programme in Cameroon

On 12 November, at the COP22 in Marrakech, the Veolia Foundation, REFELA-CAM (Réseau de Femmes Élues Locales du Cameroun), and ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie) signed an agreement concerning a renewable public lighting programme in the towns of Bangangté and Fokoué in Cameroon. The signature took place in the presence of René-Emmanuel Sadi, the Cameroonian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. The Veolia Foundation was represented by its Executive Officer Thierry Vandevelde.

The Réseau de Femmes Élues Locales du Cameroun (REFELA-CAM), bringing together around thirty women mayors from the ten regions of Cameroon, has embarked on a renewable energy electrification project in the towns of Bangangté and Fokoué in the west of the country. The Veolia Foundation is supporting the project by installing a public lighting network using solar energy in both towns, and by building a small hydropower plant in Bangangté for local production.
Backed by a new law that helps communities invest in decentralized electricity production using renewable energy sources, this project could spread all over the country and so benefit thousands of Cameroonians.
 

A partnership since 2010

In partnership with the AIMF (Association Internationale des Maires Francophones), the Veolia Foundation has already conducted a sustainable water and sanitation project management programme (Modeab) for REFELA-CAM in Bangangté.
In 2014 the United Nations gave an award to the programme  in the category "Improving the provision of services in Africa". 
 

More:

> The Foundation’s sustainable energy approach in Cameroon  
> The Veolia Foundation
> Veolia’s expertise in water  and energy management