Bertoua’s urban council has warned advertisers and business operators over the unchecked spread of billboards and advertising panels across the city. In a letter dated January 9, Mayor Jean Marie Dimbele Sodea recalled that any advertising structure must receive prior authorization before installation. He warned that violators face the complete dismantling of their advertising equipment, in addition to other possible sanctions.
Beyond Bertoua, the move highlights a wider issue affecting many Cameroonian cities. From Yaoundé and Douala to Bafoussam, Garoua, and Maroua, urban spaces are often crowded with non-compliant billboards, banners tied to utility poles, and posters placed on public buildings. These practices visibly affect urban order and the readability of public space.
A 2006 law, unevenly enforced
The regulatory framework is clear. Cameroon’s December 29, 2006 law governing advertising strictly regulates outdoor displays. Advertising structures may only be installed in locations approved by the competent authorities, after payment of the required taxes and fees. The law also prohibits advertising on public buildings, places of worship, and the premises of political organizations.
Violations expose offenders to fines, bans on advertising campaigns, and even the withdrawal of operating licenses. Despite this framework, enforcement remains uneven, allowing practices that run counter to urban planning and public health rules to persist.
In Bertoua, municipal authorities say the warning is driven by concerns over urban aesthetics and public order. Jean Marie Dimbele Sodea links the move to efforts to curb uncontrolled installations, as local authorities seek to make Bertoua “a clean, forward-looking city where it is good to live.” The message is also aimed at encouraging compliance upstream, before entering a punitive phase.
The episode, however, raises a broader issue: the capacity of local governments to plan the use of public space, enforce regulations, and strike a balance between economic activity and quality of life in fast-growing cities.
Patricia Ngo Ngouem