The World Bank today launched today two flagship economic reports: the 2024 Cameroon Economic Update and the Cameroon Public Finance Review.

Entitled “Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Forestry,” the economic update analyzes recent economic developments and presents the country’s medium-term outlook. Cameroon’s economic growth decelerated to 3.3% in 2023 from 3.6% in 2022, affecting all economic sectors due to lower-than-expected public investment, rising prices, and ongoing internal conflicts. Inflation rose to 7.4% in 2023 from 6.3% in 2022, driven by high food prices and transportation costs. Cameroon’s real GDP growth is estimated at 4.0% in 2024 and projected to reach on average 4.5% over 2025-2027, driven by improved energy supply and stronger public investment. Inflation is expected to slow down to 3.0% by 2027, and the fiscal deficit is anticipated to remain around 1.0% of GDP in the medium-term, with public debt declining to 36.3% of GDP by 2027.

The report discusses the importance of fiscal reforms to address forestry sector challenges as key to Cameroon’s sustainable growth path. Cameroon’s forestry sector, though significant, has not reached its full potential, currently contributing only 3.8% to GDP and 45,000 jobs. Despite the abundance of forest resources, Cameroon has struggled to maximize revenue from the sector. The report highlights the impact of fiscal reforms to enhance revenue from the forestry sector while promoting sustainable practices.

“Promoting better governance in the forestry sector by encouraging forest certification, climate-smart fiscal policies, increasing value addition in the wood industry, and engaging local communities will secure high public revenues, help preserve forests, and lay a foundation for attracting more climate finance,” said Cheick F. Kanté, Country Director for Cameroon.

The second report, the Cameroon Public Finance Review, provides recommendations to enhance tax collection while spending better and in a more effective and equitable way.

Cameroon’s tax revenue system is marked by narrow tax bases and inadequate enforcement leading to substantial tax evasion and avoidance. While there is a large budget allocation for “common expenses” managed with little transparency and accountability, budget execution is marked by frequent use of exceptional budgetary procedure, allowing for expenditures that frequently exceed approved allocations. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted reform approach through a Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS) and a comprehensive reform of budget management practices.

The report further notes that Cameroon’s spending on education and health remains below 5% of GDP and social assistance spending remains inadequate, falling far below international benchmarks, making it a significant area for increased focus and resources. Despite legislative frameworks designed to facilitate the decentralization of power in Cameroon, the transfer of competencies and resources from central ministries to local communes and regions has been limited. The report argues that accelerating fiscal decentralization could improve public service delivery by subnational governments, but will require enhancing revenue, improving services, and streamlining fund flow to regions.

“Despite its potential, Cameroon’s economic performance has consistently fallen short, implying slow progress in income per capita and poverty reduction,” said Robert Utz, World Bank Lead Country Economist and one of the report’s authors. “Now, more than ever, a bold fiscal reform agenda is imperative to unlock its full potential and secure a prosperous future.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

On August 1, the Chinese Ambassador Zhang Lizhong attended China-Uganda Friendship Day Event hosted by Huawei at Seeta High School in Mukono District and witnessed the donation handover by the company to the school. Mr. Kafuba, Special Representative of the State Minister for Higher Education Hon. John Muyingo, Wang Jianxun, Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, teachers and students were also in attendance.

Ambassador Zhang Lizhong introduced the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of CPC (the Communist Party of China), emphasizing that education, science, technology and talent serve as a fundamental and strategic underpinning of the Chinese modernization, with openness being the distinctive feature. China’s resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively will inject new strong energy into youth exchanges, talent development, and education cooperation between China and Uganda. China will continue to support the development of Ugandan youth and education, so as to further deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

During the event, Huawei and the school organized a painting competition, and the Chinese medical team to Uganda was invited to provide free medical services to the students and teachers of the school.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Uganda.

Reacting to the continued failure to take meaningful steps by African and global human rights bodies since armed conflict erupted in Ethiopia’s Amhara region a year ago, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah said:

“Millions of Ethiopians are being denied justice despite having their lives shattered by conflict. Human rights violations have continued unabated, with no progress towards individual accountability, in the Amhara region since the latest armed conflict began a year ago. Reports of atrocities in the Tigray region, which first emerged three-and-a-half years ago, and abuses amid the ongoing prolonged armed conflict in Oromia have largely gone unaddressed.

“Despite claims of commitment to justice, mainly through so-called transitional justice mechanisms, Ethiopian authorities have failed to halt these violations. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent speech to parliament stating that his army does not commit massacres, demonstrates the government’s ongoing denial of past and present crimes.

“African and global human rights bodies were established to prevent and respond to gross human rights violations and crimes under international law, and to ensure those responsible for such crimes are held accountable – including by raising above attacks against Justice and accountability. What we have witnessed in Ethiopia is an utter failure to fulfill these duties, setting a dangerous global precedent that perpetrators can evade justice for international crimes.

“It is long overdue for the African and global human rights bodies to bring Ethiopia back to their agenda, including setting up public and private engagements on the situation in the Amhara region. United Nations (UN) member states must act to reinstate Human Rights Council scrutiny of the situation in Ethiopia and relevant UN and African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) special mechanisms must take urgent steps to investigate alleged crimes in the Amhara region.”

Background

On 4 August 2023, the Ethiopian government declared a national six-month state of emergency following increased violence in the Amhara region between Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Fano militia. The Fano militia and the Amhara Special Forces fought alongside the ENDF against Tigrayan forces from November 2020 until a Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed on 2 November 2022.

Prime Minister Abiy addressed the Federal House of Representatives on 4 July 2024 where he denied ongoing and past mass atrocities committed by government and allied forces.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

On Tuesday 6th August 2024, the Honorary Consulate of Seychelles in Istanbul was formally opened in the presence of Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mrs. Özlem Bozkurt Gevrek, Deputy Governor of Istanbul, Mr. Barboros Büyüksagnak, Mayorship, Deputy for Foreign Relations in Istanbul, Ambassador Ayşe Sözen Usluer, Head of the Foreign Ministry Office in İstanbul, Mr. Orhan Karadeniz, Honorary Consul for Seychelles in Istanbul, and other invited guests from the Government of Türkiye and the private sector .

When thanking the Government of Türkiye for its unwavering support and collaboration in making the Consulate a reality, Minister Radegonde pointed out that “the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Istanbul is a strategic move by my Government to enhance Seychelles’ visibility on the global stage and to foster even closer cooperation with friendly nations. It represents our aspirations for the future. By building stronger bridges between our societies, we can create a more vibrant and dynamic partnership that benefits both our nations.”

The Seychelles Minister congratulated Mr. Karadeniz on his appointment and stated that “with his vast experience in the energy sector, I am confident that under his stewardship, this Consulate will open new avenues for cooperation. We wish him every success and assure him of our support.”

He added that the establishment of the Consulate “marks a pivotal moment in the history of our bilateral relations. Istanbul, a city that bridges continents and cultures, is an ideal location for us to enhance our diplomatic presence and foster closer ties with the people of Türkiye.”

Minister Radegonde commented that while Seychelles and Türkiye have established a successful partnership, resulting in cooperation in health and maritime security, along with scholarship opportunities, “we anticipate that our presence in Istanbul will open new avenues for trade, investment, and tourism, fostering mutual prosperity and growth. We are confident that this Consulate will serve as a beacon of our shared interests, promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.”

It is to be noted that Seychelles and Türkiye established diplomatic relations on 22nd June 1995.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.