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Economy

CAMEROON’S PARLIAMENT OPENS SESSION WITH FOCUS ON 2027 BUDGET, MINING AND LAND REFORM

June 10, 2026 12:05 pm

Cameroon’s National Assembly has opened its Second Ordinary Session for the 2026 Legislative Year, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Theodore Datouo urging stronger oversight of strategic sectors ahead of debates that will shape next year’s budget.

Addressing lawmakers in Yaoundé on June 9, Datouo said Parliament must respond to public concerns over the rising cost of living, youth unemployment, access to basic services, and the management of national resources. He stressed that the forthcoming Budget Policy Debate would give legislators room to influence government spending priorities for 2027 before allocations are finalized.

Mining governance topped the Speaker’s agenda. Datouo acknowledged Cameroon’s mineral wealth as a major opportunity for jobs, infrastructure and revenue, but noted growing public debate over transparency and benefit-sharing. He called on sector ministries to improve oversight, revenue traceability and the redistribution of economic gains to local communities. Parliament, he said, must continue legislating and holding government accountable so reforms can ensure communities benefit more directly from exploitation of mineral resources.

The Speaker also highlighted land tenure as a priority for reform. He described secure land ownership as critical to legal certainty and investor confidence, pointing to recurring disputes, lengthy administrative procedures and competing claims that continue to worry citizens and investors. Datouo backed ongoing efforts to modernize land administration and said Cameroonians expect solutions rather than debates.

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) party and MP Joshua Osih during the session welcomed the emphasis on evaluating public policies and measuring the impact of government expenditure.

With mining governance, land reform and public accountability now on the table, parliamentary debates in the weeks ahead are expected to focus on how Cameroon can turn its resources into tangible benefits for citizens.