This event functions as a financial roadshow aimed at strengthening Cameroon’s visibility and credibility on capital markets, at a time when public financing needs remain significant and debt sustainability has become a central concern for investors.
Ahead of the main presentation, thematic discussions are being organized by the Directorate General of the Treasury under the theme: “Diversification of financing sources and sustainable public debt management.”
This positioning reflects a deliberate communication strategy. The Ministry of Finance seeks to reassure market participants on two critical fronts. First, the diversification of funding instruments, through a balanced use of both domestic and international capital markets. Second, the prudent management of the country’s debt profile, ensuring that resource mobilization does not undermine macroeconomic stability.
In a regional context where CEMAC member states are increasingly active on the public securities market, Cameroon aims to consolidate its sovereign signature and maintain investor confidence.
CFAF 1,650 Billion authorized on domestic and international markets
The legal framework for this financing strategy is already in place. By presidential decree signed on January 21, 2026, President Paul Biya authorized the Minister of Finance to access both domestic and external capital markets to raise loans up to a maximum amount of CFAF 1,650 billion. This ceiling represents the upper limit of borrowing authorized for 2026. It reflects the scale of Cameroon’s financing requirements, driven by development expenditures as well as treasury constraints.
On the domestic side, the government is expected to issue Treasury bills and bonds on the CEMAC public securities market. On the external front, the option remains open for international borrowing, depending on global market conditions and the cost-risk strategy adopted by the Treasury.
According to the presidential decree, the funds raised will be allocated to “financing development projects and clearing outstanding payment arrears (RAP).”
Development financing is expected to support priority public investment programs, particularly in infrastructure, energy, transport, and social sectors. The clearance of payment arrears represents a particularly sensitive issue. (RAP) refer to invoices pending payment at the Public Treasury for more than approximately three months. These arrears create liquidity pressures for government suppliers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises whose financial stability often depends on timely public payments.
Reducing these arrears sends a strong signal to the private sector. It not only restores confidence between the State and its contractors but also injects liquidity back into the productive economy.
The 2026 financing strategy illustrates a delicate balancing exercise. The State must simultaneously: ensure adequate funding for development priorities;
Maintain debt at a sustainable level; reassure investors regarding fiscal discipline;
preserve overall macroeconomic stability.
The Douala presentation therefore marks a key moment of financial communication and transparency. It positions Cameroon as a structured sovereign issuer capable of mobilizing substantial resources while maintaining prudent debt management.
For investors, the equation is straightforward: participation in the 2026 issuances will depend on the credibility of the fiscal trajectory, the clarity of funded projects, and the government’s continued commitment to sustainable debt governance.
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