• Government seeks CFA3104.2 billion in fresh financing for 2026

• Funding need rises by CFA777.7 billion compared with last year

• Debt risk remains high as total obligations continue to climb

Cameroon plans to raise CFA3104.2 billion ($5.5 billion) in new borrowing to help fund its 2026 budget, according to the draft finance bill submitted to Parliament. The planned amount is CFA777.7 billion higher than the CFA2326.5 billion projected for 2025.

The financing plan relies on several channels. Project loan disbursements are expected to reach CFA826.7 billion, while external borrowing is set at CFA1000 billion. Local banks are expected to provide CFA589.7 billion.

The Treasury also intends to raise CFA400 billion on the money market through public securities. Budget support from foreign partners is projected at CFA120 billion, along with CFA167.8 billion in exceptional financing.

The borrowing push comes as Cameroon faces growing concerns about its debt load. The African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund classify the country as being at high risk of debt distress. The government maintains, however, that its 2026 debt-to-GDP ratio will remain below the 70% ceiling set by CEMAC’s convergence rules.

According to Business in Cameroon, citing the October 2025 report from the Autonomous Amortization Fund, the central government’s domestic debt (excluding arrears and floating debt) stood at CFA4246 billion as of September 30, 2025. External debt reached CFA8568.2 billion on the same date.

Sandrine Gaingne