The draft state budget of the Republic of Cameroon for the 2025 Financial year stands at 7,250.8 billion Francs CFA. The budget witnesses a 0.8 percent increase from the 2024 budget.
Tabled at the National Assembly on Sunday December 1 by the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, the Chairmen's conference at the National Assembly deemed it admissible and already, 12 Members of Government have filed past the Committee on Finance and the Budget.
Curiously, they're growing concerns amongst Cameroonians on government's allocations to fuel subsidy which is gradually being reduced.
For the 2025 financial year, instead of the 263 billion budgeted in 2024, the government has budgeted just 15 billion for 2025.
This therefore means a further increase in pump prices from the current 825+ Francs per litre currently paid on petrol and Diesel.
Hon Rosette Ayayi (M) Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and the Budget of the National Assembly
While government over the last two years has further increased the salaries of civil servants by 5% and an increase in the minimum wage by 5%, life has become increasingly difficult in Cameroon and more difficult in the crisis-hit North West, South West and Far North regions.
Prices of basic commodities like rice, vegetable oil, fish have recorded unprecedented hikes. Even locally produced agricultural products like garri, Irish potatoes have seen their prices increased over the last two years.
While it is believed that the government is encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to curb public spending, all attention now rests with members of the Finance and Budget committee of the National Assembly who are tasked with properly examining the budget, the impact on the life of Cameroonians before submitting it to plenary for adoption.
An increment in the price of fuel generally increases the price of goods and services across the national territory.
The current inflation rate in Cameroon stands at 4.4 percent.
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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