• Cameroon to spend 92% of 2026 public works budget on road network

• Targets include 650 km of paved roads, 1,300 m of structures, 2,000 km maintenance

• Budget reforms, digital oversight, and local funding boost aim at transparency

Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Works (Mintp) plans to allocate more than 92% of its 2026 budget to the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the national road network. The ministry aims to deliver nearly 650 kilometers of paved roads and over 1,300 meters of engineering structures, while intensifying maintenance on key national and local routes to improve connectivity across the country.

These priorities were set during budget conferences held on November 8, 2025, co-chaired by officials from the Ministry of Finance (Minfi) and the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development (Minepat), together with Mintp teams.

Strategy Focused on Maintenance and Performance

Discussions focused on increasing funding for construction and maintenance, financing technical studies, and boosting resources for local councils. Led by the Director General of Infrastructure Works, the Mintp delegation outlined the financial needs required to complete ongoing projects and launch new ones under the Public Investment Program (PIP).

Officials reaffirmed the priorities defined by the Head of State for the 2026 fiscal year, stressing the need to accelerate active projects, whether construction, rehabilitation, or maintenance, in line with the Prime Minister’s directives.

Budget reforms initiated by the ministry aim to improve transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds. The shift to program-based budgeting and the digitalization of budget and project monitoring are expected to strengthen oversight and ensure greater accountability in budget execution.

Comments from Minfi and Minepat will be incorporated into the final draft budget before its submission to Parliament in the coming weeks.

More Funds for Local Councils

Before these conferences, Mintp held budget adjustment sessions on November 3-4, 2025, chaired by Minister Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi. These discussions clarified resource allocations and confirmed a 4.59 billion XAF increase for local road maintenance, representing a 38.5% rise compared to the previous year.

The minister reiterated that the national earth-road strategy remains the foundation for maintenance planning. The program provides for the upkeep of 2,000 km of unpaved roads, including 444 km treated with stabilizing materials, at a total estimated cost of 7.81 billion XAF. The goal is to improve rural accessibility and support local development on a sustainable basis.

Beyond its technical scope, this strategy reflects a political commitment to accelerate regional development and reduce disparities in infrastructure access. Despite fiscal constraints and strong social demand, Mintp aims to balance efficiency, accountability, and regional impact, a combination it considers essential for inclusive national growth.

Thierry Christophe Yamb, Business in Cameroon