Three fiscal years mapped out 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, a public debt target below 50% of GDP, and a new IMF programme in the works, the decisions taken that day will shape Cameroon’s trajectory for the next four years.
What the council decided as guidelines
The minister delegate to the minister of finance set the macroeconomic scene. The global economy remains fragile due to the fallout from 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, however, is projected to maintain growth of 3.5% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027. Inflation continues to ease.
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 public debt stock below 50% of GDP. Efforts will focus on mobilising domestic non-oil revenue 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 recur frequently.
Still, 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 consultation with the minister of economy. Performance contracts for public projects must be generalised.
The council adjourned at 12:10 pm.
