Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze
Cameroon’s Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, has released a reassuring statement on the settlement of the State’s outstanding domestic debt. Since the launch of the repayment process in January 2024, a total of 463.3 billion CFA francs has been paid to government creditors for debts accumulated between 2000 and 2019. Of this amount, 232.9 billion CFA francs were settled last year, while 230.4 billion CFA francs are earmarked for this year. The repayments cover salary arrears, tax and customs claims, commercial debts, academic obligations, and rental liabilities. Motaze noted that nearly 78% of the budget allocated for 2025 has already been disbursed, representing 86.2 billion CFA francs. The announcement reflects a commitment to restoring confidence among creditors, many of whom have waited years to receive payment.
However, the broader financial picture tells a more nuanced story. As of March 31, 2026, Cameroon’s total public debt stood at 15.416 trillion CFA francs, or roughly $27.5 billion, representing a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The debt-to-GDP ratio currently stands at 44.3%, remaining below both the 70% ceiling set by CEMAC and the 50% threshold outlined in the country’s debt strategy. Officially, the situation remains manageable.
Yet Cameroon must mobilize approximately 2.1 trillion CFA francs over the next two years to meet its debt-servicing obligations, placing significant pressure on public finances. If the current pace of borrowing continues, the country could exceed the 50% debt-to-GDP threshold before 2028.
Motaze’s statement is therefore a partially positive development: the government is paying off old debts, but it continues to accumulate new ones at a sustained pace. For Cameroonians, the equation remains unresolved.