Three fiscal years planned in a single session. Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute chaired a Cabinet Council on Friday, June 26, 2026, dedicated to the 2027, 2028, and 2029 budgets. With projected growth of 3.5% in 2026, public debt kept below 50% of GDP, and a new programme with the International Monetary Fund in preparation, the decisions made that day will guide Cameroon for the next four years.
What the council decided as guidelines
The minister delegate at the Ministry of Finance outlined the macroeconomic context. 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 rebound to 3.2% in 2027. Cameroon, meanwhile, should maintain growth of 3.5% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027. Inflation continues to decline.
It is hard not to see IMF pressure behind the displayed fiscal discipline: the 2027-2029 policy will rely on concluding a new economic and financial programme with the Fund, with the explicit goal of keeping the public debt stock below 50% of GDP. Efforts will focus on mobilising non-oil domestic revenues and rationalising public spending.
The Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development presented 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 rollout of digital infrastructure is a priority, as is improving electricity supply.
What this means for Cameroonians, concretely or not
On the social front, priority goes to extending the general health insurance system to the most disadvantaged groups. The Special Fund for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment will also be accelerated. These are announcements that often recur.
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 ministries.
The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Finance to consolidate this document quickly, in close coordination with the Minister of Economy. Performance contracts for public projects must be generalised.
The council ended at 12:10 pm.
