By Doh James Sonkey
Addressing members of the National Assembly in a special plenary sitting last November 26, 2025, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute while presenting government’s Economic, Financial, Social and Cultural Programme for the 2026 fiscal year said the programme is fully in line with the instructions of the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, as outlined in his inauguration speech of November 6, 2025.
He announced that ‘‘this Programme is based on the assumption of a Gross Domestic Product growth rate of 4.3% and an inflation rate of 3%. Based on these projections, the State budget for the 2026 fiscal year will balance out in terms of revenue and expenditure at the sum of FCFA 8 816.4 billion, compared with FCFA 7 735.9 billion in 2025, reflecting an increase of FCFA 1 080.5 billion in absolute terms and 14% in relative terms.
The budget is broken down as follows: ▪ FCFA 8 683.9 billion, under the general budget; ▪FCFA 132.5 billion, for Special Appropriation Accounts.’
PM Dion Ngute stressed that ‘‘in keeping with the President of the Republic’s vision, Government will “work tirelessly to bring about a united, stable, and prosperous Cameroon”. With this in mind, the Government will work to implement several commitments recently made by the Head of State, including the re-opening of PhD programmes in universities, the relaunch of entrance examinations for teacher training colleges, the implementation of the Special Plan to Promote Youth Employment, and the execution of labour-intensive projects.’’
He continued to explain that ‘‘particular attention will be paid to the social, economic, and professional development of young people and women, who will benefit from greater empowerment and better protection. At the same time, the 2026 budget will seek the acceleration of infrastructural projects and reforms aimed at strengthening State efficiency and improving the overall performance of public policies.’’
The PM detailed that, ‘‘In the field of diplomacy, under the leadership of the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, the Government intends to continue enhancing Cameroon’s influence on the international stage by diversifying partnerships, facilitating Cameroonians’ access to strategic positions, mobilizing the diaspora, and modernizing the diplomatic apparatus. Several joint bilateral committees are planned, along with rigorous follow-up on the recommendations from previous meetings. On the multilateral front, the major event will be the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Yaounde from 26 to 29 March 2026″, the PM announced.
He told MPs that ‘‘with regard to territorial administration, the priorities will focus on: – monitoring the activities of political parties and reforming the sector governing associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs); – activating the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (PN2RC); – revising the National Contingency Plan; – providing assistance to disaster victims and refugees.
With regard to decentralization and local development, Government plans to: – finalize the reform of the equalization system; – continue the transfer of powers; – disseminate the Guide on attractiveness, competitiveness and the construction of local value chains; – accelerate the digitization of civil status registration.
In the justice sector, Government will continue to: – construct and modernize judicial infrastructure; – improve prison conditions and optimize preparations for prisoners’ reintegration into society; – harmonize legislative instruments; – promote human rights and prevent torture, in line with our international commitments.’’
The Prime Minister, Head of Government disclosed that ‘‘government action in the productive and social sectors will also receive a significant boost. In the public works sector, it plans to further strengthen its efforts to achieve its objectives for enhancing high-impact road infrastructure, focusing on the following key strategic priorities: – the asphalting of nearly 6 hundred and 48 kilometres of roads; – the construction of approximately 1 thousand 304 linear metres of engineering structures; – the rehabilitation of 335 kilometres of asphalt roads and 1 thousand 513 linear metres of engineering structures.’’