Brazzaville Summit Lays Financial Foundation for 2026
The 44th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Central African Economic and Monetary Union concluded in Brazzaville with a key figure: a community budget of 85,923,690,256 CFA francs for the 2026 fiscal year, according to the final communiqué read to the press.
Modest Increase Reflects Cautious Optimism
This allocation is 2.42 percent higher than the 2025 budget. The host Congolese minister described this increase as “proof that we can rationalize spending while funding priority integration projects.”
Program-Based Budgeting Gains Traction
Delegates consistently returned to the meeting’s theme: the transition to fully program-based budgeting. Commissioners argued that clearer links between expenditures and measurable results should reassure partners.
Persistent Challenge: Collection of Community Tax
The Commission President reminded ministers that the low recovery rate of the Community Integration Tax (CIT) continues to constrain cash flow. Internal data shows an average transfer rate of less than 60 percent in 2024, well below the 75 percent target agreed upon two years ago.
States Urged to Activate Autonomous Mechanism
The council urged member administrations to make operational the autonomous CIT collection mechanism created by an additional act in 2021. Finance directors promised accelerated deployment before the first quarter of 2026.
Fodec Evolves into an Investment Vehicle
Eighteen billion four hundred million CFA francs were allocated to the Community Development Fund. Ministers approved the transformation of Fodec into a proper investment fund capable of blending concessional resources with private capital.
Audit Strengthened to Support Credibility
An internal audit report presented in Brazzaville highlighted shortcomings in public procurement controls. In response, the council approved the creation of a committee to monitor recommendations.
Digital Integration Highlighted: Commitment to Free Roaming
Telecommunications regulators from the six member states reaffirmed their commitment to the free roaming initiative, designed to reduce cross-border call charges. The commercial launch is scheduled for mid-2026.
Energy Priority: CAPS Project Moves Up the Queue
The minister emphasized that the Central African Power System (CAPS) is an “integration accelerator.” The project aims to interconnect national grids into a regional network, facilitating electricity exchanges.
Timber Export Ban Reaffirmed
The ministers also reiterated the 2022 decision prohibiting the export of unprocessed tropical logs. Each government was asked to align customs codes and inspection protocols.
Multilateral Surveillance Report Adopted
The 2024 multilateral surveillance report and the 2025-2026 outlook were adopted without amendment. Economists forecast average regional growth of 3.9 percent next year.