Accelerating Decentralisation : Greater Engagement

Main actors involved in the decentralisation process have unanimously agreed to improve their commitment in fast-tracking the implementation of the policy in their various communities, as its objective is ensuring inclusive participation to development. This especially is with the law on local taxation promulgated in December 2024. The state of implementation of the legal instrument was the core of discussions at the first ordinary session of the National Decentralisation Board for 2025 which the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute in his capacity as Chairperson of the said Board, chaired last Friday December 19, 2025. 
The Chair of the Board, Joseph Dion Ngute, said the session was a platform to deliberate on measures to make the law serve its full purpose which is to raise the share of local tax revenue from one to two per cent of the national gross domestic product. 
Four main thematic themes were examined during the session, with the Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam highlighting on the process, content and prospects of the tax reform. The Permanent Secretary of the National Decentralisation Board, Evelyne Koa Otsili-Medzogo presented an activity report of the Board during the recess period, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Finance, Yaouba Abdoulaye explained the administration of local taxation and provision of resources to regional and local authorities. Actions taken and proposals for improvement on the tax reform were highlighted by the President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, Augustine Tamba. 
The establishment of a transitional period to allow Councils collect their tax revenue directly, pending the gradual implementation of the various infrastructure and tools provided for in the law on local taxation was proposed as a solution. 
To the Minister George Elanga Obam, Vice Chairperson of the Board, stakeholders at the session were unanimous that the law on local taxation is good because resources allocated to regional and local authorities will wit...