Cameroon: Maroua to Host 40th World Habitat Day

Maroua, the regional capital of Cameroon's Far-North, is preparing to host the 40th World Habitat Day celebration. Scheduled from September 28 to October 5, 2026, the event will focus on the theme "Adequate Housing for All." This edition aims to bring together various stakeholders to discuss housing and urban development, envisioning the future of Cameroonian cities.

The week-long festivities will include the establishment of a "habitat village," competitions for clean cities and innovative urban design, as well as roundtables and thematic sessions. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which spearheads the event in Cameroon, intends for the celebration to serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, public policies, and innovations. It also seeks to highlight projects and best practices that contribute to improving living conditions.

This year's event follows the 2025 celebration held in Bafoussam. Preparations are underway, with local authorities and a delegation from the ministry having already met to outline the organization's framework. Specific sites have been identified for the events, including Boulevard Paul Biya for the inaugural march, and the multipurpose hall and the fantasia site for other activities.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday of October. In Cameroon, the organization of this day involves national and local government bodies, development partners, the private sector, universities, and civil society.