2027 budget: With a projected deficit of 2.7% of GDP, Cameroon jeopardizes a new agreement with the IMF

In a circular dated October 12, 2026, on preparing the 2027 state budget, Paul Biya instructed the government to plan for a budget deficit, including grants, of 2.7% of GDP. That projection exceeds the IMF’s 1.5% of GDP ceiling for each of the six CEMAC countries in 2027. An authorized source quoted in Yaoundé said that if even one country exceeds the ceiling, the IMF will not conclude a new economic and financial program in the subregion.