Research Gap:

Solid waste management (SWM) is a growing concern in urban settings,

particularly in rapidly expanding African cities like Yaoundé, Cameroon. While
there has been substantial research on the challenges of SWM in urban
areas, there is a notable gap in studies focusing specifically on the
implementation of national waste management strategies at the local level,
particularly in the Yaoundé 6 Council. Existing literature predominantly
explores general issues of waste generation, collection, and disposal in
Cameroon (MINEPDED, 2020; Wilson et al., 2021). However, empirical
research that investigates the state of solid waste management, the role of
stakeholders in implementing the National Strategy for Solid Waste
Management (NSSWM), and the limitations faced by these stakeholders
remains sparse.

1. State of Solid Waste Management: Much of the existing research on SWM

in Yaoundé focuses on waste generation and the challenges of urbanization.
For instance, studies by Neba (2021) and Diko (2022) primarily address
waste generation patterns and waste disposal methods, with little focus on
the specific state of waste management at the council level. Despite efforts
to develop a robust national waste management strategy, there is limited
understanding of how effective the waste collection, recycling, and disposal
systems are in Yaoundé 6 Council specifically. Furthermore, most studies lack
a comprehensive evaluation of waste infrastructure, including landfill sites,
waste collection methods, and the level of segregation practices. This
creates a research gap in assessing the current waste management systems
and how they align with the National Strategy for Solid Waste Management
(NSSWM).

2. Stakeholder Implementation of the National Strategy: Research on the

implementation of the NSSWM by stakeholders, including local government
authorities, private companies (e.g., Hysacam), and community-based
organizations, is limited. While studies by Wane et al. (2020) and Mofor et al.
(2021) discuss national-level strategies and policies, there is a dearth of
research that dissects the roles of local stakeholders in implementing these
strategies. The limited studies available fail to address how these
stakeholders coordinate their efforts, manage resources, or overcome
institutional barriers at the local level. Additionally, while the role of private-
public partnerships (PPP) has been explored in general terms (Kumar et al.,
2020), the specific actions taken by local councils and private waste
management entities in Yaoundé 6 to execute these strategies remain
largely unexamined. Understanding the dynamics of stakeholder
collaboration is essential for evaluating how effectively the NSSWM is
operationalized at the council level.

3. Limitations Faced by Stakeholders in Implementing the NSSWM: Another

critical gap in the literature concerns the limitations that stakeholders face in
implementing the NSSWM. Studies like those by Taptue (2021) and Ngwafu
(2020) discuss common barriers such as financial constraints, inadequate
infrastructure, and lack of public participation in waste management.
However, research that examines these limitations in the specific context of
Yaoundé 6 Council is limited. Factors like political interference, socio-
economic barriers, and institutional inefficiencies are rarely explored in
detail, and there is no in-depth analysis of how these limitations impact the
practical execution of waste management strategies in the local context.
Moreover, while some studies have addressed challenges at the national
level (Wilson & Velis, 2021), there is little research focusing on the micro-
level challenges faced by Yaoundé 6 Council and its stakeholders in
managing waste effectively.

Applicability to the Study Area:

1. State of Solid Waste Management in Yaoundé 6 Council: The research gap

is highly applicable to the first objective of the study, which is to assess the
current state of waste management in Yaoundé 6 Council. There is a need to
critically evaluate the efficiency of the waste collection systems, waste
composition, segregation practices, and landfill infrastructure at the local
level. Without empirical studies focused on this area, it is challenging to
understand the effectiveness of the NSSWM at the council level. Addressing
this gap will allow the research to provide insights into the specific waste
management practices in Yaoundé 6, the infrastructure in place, and the
degree of alignment with national policies.

2. Stakeholder Implementation of the National Strategy: The gap concerning

stakeholder implementation is directly relevant to the second objective of
this study, which aims to explore how various stakeholders in Yaoundé 6
Council are implementing the NSSWM. There is a need to investigate the
roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, including municipal authorities,
waste management companies, and non-governmental organizations, in
translating the national strategy into concrete actions. Research into this gap
will help identify how well these stakeholders cooperate, the challenges they
face in operationalizing the strategy, and the successes they have achieved
in improving waste management systems.

3. Limitations Faced by Stakeholders: The gap related to the limitations faced

by stakeholders is crucial for addressing the third objective, which is to
identify the specific barriers hindering the successful implementation of the
NSSWM in Yaoundé 6 Council. By focusing on this gap, the research will
provide a comprehensive analysis of the financial, logistical, political, and
socio-cultural challenges that stakeholders encounter. This includes the
constraints faced by private waste management firms, local government
bodies, and the broader community in complying with national waste
management directives. By investigating these limitations, the study will
help formulate recommendations for overcoming the barriers and improving
the overall waste management system in Yaoundé 6.

Conclusion:
The research gap in understanding the state of solid waste management, the
role of stakeholders in implementing the NSSWM, and the limitations faced
by these stakeholders in Yaoundé 6 Council is significant. Addressing this gap
will contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness of local waste
management practices and provide actionable insights for improving the
implementation of the National Strategy. By focusing on this gap, the study
will provide valuable data that can inform policy recommendations, enhance
stakeholder coordination, and improve waste management strategies in
Yaoundé 6 Council, which is representative of the broader challenges faced
by urban areas in Cameroon.

References:

Diko, S. (2022). Urban Waste Management and the Challenges in Yaoundé.

Journal of Environmental Studies, 34(2), 102-114.

Kumar, S., Sharma, A., & Gupta, R. (2020). Public-private partnerships in solid
waste management: A sustainable model. Journal of Environmental
Management, 275, 111-121.

MINEPDED. (2020). National Strategy for Solid Waste Management in

Cameroon. Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature, and Sustainable
Development.

Mofor, S., Wane, A., & Ngwafu, S. (2021). Solid Waste Management
Strategies in Cameroon: A Policy Review. Environmental Policy Journal, 18(1),
45-60.

Neba, N. (2021). Waste Generation and Disposal Practices in Yaoundé: An

Analysis of Current Challenges. African Urban Journal, 14(2), 78-90.
Ngwafu, S. (2020). Challenges of Solid Waste Management in Cameroon: A
Study of Stakeholder Perspectives. Journal of Waste Management, 41(3), 233-
249.

Taptue, S. (2021). Financial and Infrastructure Constraints in Solid Waste

Management: A Case Study of Yaoundé. Environmental Economics and Policy
Studies, 24(1), 89-101.

Wilson, D. C., & Velis, C. (2021). Integrated Waste Management: A systems

approach. Waste Management Journal, 60(1), 23-35.