GCA to Provide Technical Support to Strengthen Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Land Services in Cameroon
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otterdam, Netherlands, 23 June, 2025 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today welcomed the approval of the Sustainable Cities and Land Project in Cameroon by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors. The $200 million investment will improve access to climate-resilient urban infrastructure and enhance land administration services in Yaoundé, Douala, and twelve secondary cities, reaching an estimated 2.1 million Cameroonians.
Climate change poses an imminent threat to Cameroon’s people and economy, leading to significant output losses, exacerbating poverty and inequality, and increasing food insecurity and conflict risks, which, in turn, drive population displacement. Without adaptation action, Cameroon could face GDP losses of 4–10 percent by 2050 due to climate change, undermining export capacity and potentially forcing increased imports for food, sanitation, and health needs during crises or post-crisis rebuilding . These losses will strain the balance of payments, reduce fiscal space and disrupt human capital accumulation—jeopardizing development and inclusive growth for the structurally poor and nearly 40 percent of vulnerable households. Women, especially those in conflict-affected or indigenous communities, who make up 75 percent of the informal agricultural workforce and bear primary responsibility for household welfare and food security, are disproportionately impacted.
GCA’s support to the World Bank comprises two complementary components designed to embed climate adaptation and resilience throughout the project lifecycle. GCA will conduct a neighborhood-level vulnerability assessment—mapping social and climate risks, including gender-differentiated impacts—to guide equitable, risk-informed investment prioritization. Specific focus will be given on developing a gender-focused action plan that addresses women’s and girls’ challenges during floods, guiding inclusive grey and green infrastructure design. GCA will also formulate performance-based guidelines and contractual frameworks for the preventive maintenance of urban roads and drainage systems, integrating flood- and heat-risk projections to ensure resilient infrastructure upkeep .
“By harnessing the power of grey and green infrastructure design and strengthening land tenure systems, we can help Cameroonian cities become engines of inclusive growth and resilience,” said Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, President and CEO of GCA. “Our partnership with the World Bank and the Government of Cameroon will build local capacity, unlock sustainable financing, and safeguard millions against the mounting impacts of climate change.”
GCA’s support builds on its extensive track record in urban adaptation across Africa and Asia and complements the World Bank’s broader efforts to promote green, resilient, and inclusive urbanization.
