Camwater Denies Dispute with World Bank Over 2025 Water Rate Increase

“(Business in Cameroon) – There is no dispute between Camwater (Cameroon Water Utilities) and the World Bank. On the contrary, the World Bank is supporting Camwater in its structural reforms, including two projects currently finalizing their financing principles,” the state-owned water company clarified in a statement on January 14, 2025. This response from Camwater, led by Blaise Moussa, was prompted by an article published earlier the same day by Africa Intelligence.

The article alleged that, following pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cut fuel subsidies, the World Bank is now pushing the Cameroonian government to raise the price of water to CFA270 per cubic meter. It claimed that while the increase is part of Camwater’s 2025-2029 strategic development plan, Blaise Moussa and Water and Energy Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba had rejected the proposal. The article further suggested that, given rising costs of essential goods since the start of the Ukraine war and the election year in Cameroon, the government wants to avoid triggering social unrest.

“There will be no increase in Camwater’s rates in the short term (2025-2026). If a rate adjustment is considered in the medium term, as outlined in Camwater’s Strategic Plan starting in 2027, it will be done under the government’s authority, strictly follow legal procedures, and include consultations with all stakeholders,” Camwater clarified in its statement.

A source within the World Bank office in Yaoundé added, “If you review Camwater’s 2025-2029 development strategy, you’ll see that the rate increase is included. However, the World Bank had no involvement in preparing this document.”

In addition, contrary to claims by Africa Intelligence that Camwater is a “chronically deficit-ridden public company,” the utility revealed that its financial results for 2023 show significant improvement, with a surplus exceeding CFA4 billion.

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