2026 Budget Proposal : Government Sets Priorities

“The Prime Minister, Head of Government, His Excellency Joseph Dion Ngute, chaired a Cabinet Meeting on Friday, 14 November 2025, from 10 a.m., in the Auditorium of the Prime Minister's Office. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of State, Ministers, Ministers Delegate, and Secretaries of State.
The following items featured on the agenda:
1.    Statement by the Minister of Finance on “The Strategic Pillars of the State Budget for the 2026  Financial Year”;
2.    Statement by the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development on “Public Investment Budget Priorities for the Year 2026”;
3.    Miscellaneous.
Following the Prime Minister's introductory remarks, the Minister of Finance indicated that the draft State budget for the 2026 financial year is in line with the guidelines set out in the Presidential Circular of 18 July 2025, as well as the directives issued by the Head of State during his swearingin speech on 6 November 2025. He then presented the context in which the preliminary draft finance bill was prepared, noting that at the international level it is marked by economic resilience in the wake of recent geopolitical, economic, and health-related challenges.
At the national level, economic growth is expected to rise from 3.9% in 2025 to 4.3% in 2026, driven in particular by manufacturing industries, the implementation of major public investment projects, and the execution of the Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution Plan (PIISAH). Moreover, inflation is projected to decline to 3% in 2026, compared with 3.2% in 2025.
The Minister of Finance stressed that the budget policy for 2026 remains focused on consolidating public finance to ensure debt viability and sustainability, as well as on continuing the implementation of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2020-2030. To this end, the Government intends to strengthen the mobilisation of non-oil domestic revenue while safeguarding economic activity and business competitiveness. Particular attention will also be paid to increasing the resources allocated to the Regions.
In this regard, the expenditure policy will revolve around key pillars such as the rationalisation of operating costs, the financing of public investment in priority sectors, the sustainability of health sector projects, and the strengthening of initiatives to promote women's economic empowerment and youth employment. Public action must therefore be guided by a commitment to foster sustainable and more inclusive growth.
After presenting the revenue and expenditure forecasts for the 2026 financial year, the Minister noted that the financing of the State budget will rely in particular on oil and non-oil revenues, disbursements from project loans, the issuance of government securities, and bank financing.
With regard to the innovations included in the preliminary draft finance law, these relate, among other things, to measures aimed at encouraging socioeconomic initiatives benefiting women and the youth. They also include continued efforts to improve the tax climate for business in order to stimulate private investment.
His presentation concluded with guidelines aimed at ensuring budgetary discipline and sustainability.
Speaking in turn, the Minister of Economy noted that Cameroon is continuing the implementation of public policies outlined in the NDS 30, placing public investment at the heart of economic recovery and structural transformation. He presented the structure and profile of the Public Investment Budget (PIB), highlighting an increase in projections for 2026 compared with 2025, with a significant share allocated to the production and productive infrastructure sectors.
The priorities of the Public Investment Budget for the upcoming financial year are structured around a set of strategic orientations aimed at enhancing t...