• IMF forecasts Cameroon growth at 3.3% in 2026
• Inflation seen easing; current account deficit to widen
• IMF warns of risks, urges fuel pricing reform

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Cameroon’s economy to grow 3.3% in 2026, after slowing to 3.1% in 2025 due to post-election disruptions, it said on Monday after Article IV consultations.

The outlook is supported by continued public investment, the IMF said. Inflation is projected to ease to 2.9% this year, while the current account deficit is expected to widen to 5.3% of GDP, mainly due to lower cocoa prices.

The IMF warned of risks including tighter financial conditions, commodity price volatility, security and climate pressures, and a potential decline in foreign aid. It recommended introducing an automatic fuel pricing mechanism and better targeting support to vulnerable groups to ease fiscal pressures.

The forecast comes as Cameroonian authorities, which recently adopted the 2026 budget, expect growth of 4.3%, driven by the non-oil sector, particularly industry, agriculture, telecommunications and financial services.

The budget also provides for higher investment spending, focused on transport infrastructure, energy, agriculture and industry. The IMF expects growth to reach 3.8% in 2027 and 4.6% over the medium term.

Ingrid Haffiny