Cameroon has projected a wider fiscal deficit of 631.0 billion CFA francs in its 2026 State budget, up from 309.9 billion CFA francs in 2025, according to the explanatory statement of the Finance Bill submitted to Parliament.
The increase in financing requirements—rising by 777.5 billion CFA francs to reach 3,104.2 billion in 2026—is driven by additional obligations including debt amortisation (1,870.6 billion CFA), VAT credit repayments (84.0 billion CFA), settlement of domestic arrears (498.8 billion CFA), and other outflows.
To cover these needs, the government plans to mobilise funds from project loans (826.7 billion), government securities (400.0 billion), bank financing (589.7 billion), budget support (120.0 billion), exceptional financing (167.8 billion), and external borrowing (1,000 billion CFA francs).
Public investment will remain a priority, with the Public Investment Budget (PIB) representing 35.7% of primary expenditure, slightly up from 35.5% in 2025. However, its share of the overall State budget will dip from 24.2% to 22.8%.Planned expenditures for 2026 total 6,210.5 billion CFA francs, with key allocations going to personnel (1,625.4 billion), goods and services (1,206 billion), subsidies (820.3 billion), debt interest (532.5 billion), and investment (2,026.3 billion).
The government said the bill aims to support inclusive economic growth while consolidating public finances.