Cameroon has officially launched its tourism budget for 2026, allocating 10.391 billion FCFA to the sector. The primary goal of this investment is to modernize tourism infrastructure, promote local destinations, and strengthen the capabilities of industry stakeholders. The program was launched on March 9 in Yaoundé, under the leadership of the acting Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Gabriel Mbairobe.
According to details presented at the launch ceremony, the funds will be allocated to developing tourism infrastructure, intensifying the promotion of national destinations, and highlighting the "Made in Cameroon" brand within the tourism industry. Cameroonian authorities believe this initiative will support sector activity, enhance the country's economic potential, and strengthen tourism-related industries.
Abou Hamadou, Director of General Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, detailed the budget allocation. 4.654 billion FCFA will be dedicated to promoting domestic tourism, while 3.2 billion FCFA will be allocated to inbound tourism, with the aim of attracting more international visitors. Additionally, 1.2 billion FCFA will be transferred to municipalities to improve tourism promotion and support local initiatives. The regions will receive 300 million FCFA, intended to enhance tourism visibility and territorial marketing efforts.
Gabriel Mbairobe emphasized that this funding should contribute to the revival of Cameroon's tourism sector and better economic utilization of the country's natural and cultural resources. He stressed the need for rigorous management of public funds and greater accountability from public officials involved in budget execution. To accelerate implementation, he set a target to launch all public procurement contracts related to the projects before April.
This investment is part of a broader government strategy to increase tourism's contribution to Cameroon's economic activity, while improving infrastructure and enhancing the country's visibility as a tourist destination. Despite the considerable potential of Cameroon's tourism sector, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of promotion, and the need to build the capacity of local communities must be addressed to ensure sustainable development. The government aims to leverage digitalization to increase tourist numbers, targeting 500,000 visitors annually through improved online visibility and easier booking of tourist sites.
