Smart Cities & Urban Planning: Cameroon and UN-Habitat unveiled a national smart cities action plan, aiming to curb uncoordinated urban sprawl in hubs like Yaoundé through better land-use planning and stronger local execution. Urban Clean-Up Push: Yaoundé is cracking down on illegal dumping with targeted “black spot” cleanups, barricades, and daily waste routines to stop trash from coming back. Youth & Jobs: The government opened applications for a CFAF 5.5bn business plan competition for 1,000 youth-owned firms in six cities, offering financing plus training and post-funding support. Cocoa & EU Rules: Cameroon’s cocoa farmers face new EU compliance costs as the EUDR rolls in, with concerns that farmers may be asked for plot geolocation and legality data. Mining & Environment Risk: Aeternum is seeking a controlling stake in American Renaissance Minerals tied to a new permit for Cameroon’s Nkamouna cobalt project—an investment that could reshape local land and water pressures. Border Trade Modernisation: Nigeria and Cameroon customs began a joint assessment at the Ekok-Mfum One-Stop Border Post to reduce friction and improve cross-border movement. Finance & Payments: BEAC advanced interoperable digital payments in CEMAC with a regional QR system to boost financial inclusion. Wildlife & Nature Culture: The FrancoFilm Festival returns in Yaoundé with a French documentary on forests and wildlife, spotlighting biodiversity through cinema.