Three budget exercises were planned in a single session. Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute chaired a Cabinet Council on Friday, 26 June 2026, dedicated to the 2027, 2028 and 2029 budgets. With projected growth of 3.5% in 2026, a public debt ceiling set below 50% of GDP, and a new programme with the IMF under preparation, the decisions taken that day will guide Cameroon for the next four years.
Key orientations approved by cabinet
The minister delegate at the Ministry of Finance outlined the macroeconomic backdrop. The global economy remains weakened by the repercussions of the 2026 Middle East conflict, which is expected to slow world growth from 3.4% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026, before a slight recovery to 3.2% in 2027. Cameroon, however, should maintain growth of 3.5% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027. Inflation continues to decline.
It is hard not to see the pressure from the IMF behind the displayed budget discipline: the policy for 2027-2029 will have to rely on the conclusion of a new Economic and Financial Programme with the Fund, with the explicit objective of keeping the public debt stock below 50% of GDP. Efforts will focus on mobilising domestic non-oil revenues and rationalising public spending.
The Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development presented the projects included in the Priority Investment Programme for 2027-2029. Digital infrastructure, roads, railways, energy, water, agriculture and industry are among the targeted sectors. Accelerating the deployment of digital infrastructure is a key priority, along with improving electricity supply.
What this means for Cameroonians, concretely or not
On the social front, the priority goes to extending the general health insurance system to the most disadvantaged segments. The Special Fund for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment will also be accelerated. These are announcements that have been made repeatedly.
Nevertheless, the Council adopted an Economic and Budgetary Programming Document for 2027-2029, which will be submitted to Parliament as part of the Budget Orientation Debate. This is a formal step, but it provides a binding framework for the ministries.
The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Finance to consolidate this document quickly, in close consultation with the Minister of Economy. Performance contracts for public projects are to be generalised.
The Council adjourned at 12:10.
