A systems approach to analysing drivers and barriers to waste-to-energy utilization in the Global South: The case of Cameroon

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) utilization presents a promising solution to the escalating global waste crisis. However, despite its notable technical potential, progress toward WtE implementation in the Global South remains limited. This study investigates the key drivers and barriers to WtE adoption in the global south, with a focus on Cameroon as a case study. Using a systems thinking approach—incorporating causal loop diagram analysis—and drawing on literature reviews, field surveys, and stakeholder interviews, this research identifies critical obstacles including financial investment uncertainty, weak policy and institutional frameworks, lack of stakeholder collaboration, and low public awareness. The persistence of symptomatic interventions, such as city cleanliness campaigns and waste collection improvements without systemic reform, reflects recurring patterns of “shifting the burden” and “fixes that fail,” which undermine long-term progress and sustain dependence on landfilling. To overcome these systemic traps, this study proposes a paradigm shift toward cohesive, multi-level strategies that combine short-term incentives with long-term institutional and infrastructural reforms. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to advance sustainable, circular economy solutions in Cameroon and other Global South contexts.