Municipal Financial Lifeline: Finance Ministry Begins Phased Payments Of Local Tax Surcharges

In a major financial development for local governance in Cameroon, the Ministry of Finance MINFI, has initiated the phased disbursement of long-overdue Additional Municipal Surcharges (Centimes Additionnels Communaux, CAC) to local and city councils across Cameroon.

High-level Talks

The breakthrough follows an urgent strategic consultation held on August 4, 2026, at the national headquarters of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC in Yaounde. Which led to high-level negotiations between municipal representatives and top finance officials.

Announcement By UCCC

In an official circular on August 5, 2026, the National President of the the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC and Mayor of the Yaoundé 7 Council, Augustin Tamba, confirmed that MINFI agreed to immediately proceed with transferring funds in successive instalments.

Disbursement By Instalments  

"Following our strategic consultation... I was summoned today to the Ministry of Finance," Mayor Tamba stated in his message to fellow mayors across the 10 regions. "After a clarification meeting regarding our encounter, it was decided to proceed immediately with the payment of the Additional Municipal Surcharges in instalments. The first instalment was carried out this very day," Augustin Tamba announced.

Lifeline For Local Municipalities

The Centimes Additionnels Communaux represent a vital lifeline for Cameroon's 374 local authorities. Collected centrally by the state tax administration, the surcharges are earmarked for redistribution through the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM and the Ministry of Finance, MINFI to fund local operational budgets, civic infrastructure. And municipal staff payrolls.

For many councils, the announcement arrives at a critical juncture. Local authorities have faced severe liquidity shortages due to months-long delays in statutory transfers. Leaving council workers without salaries and stalling essential public works.

Santa Has Received

In the North West Region, His Royal Highness Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II, Mayor of Santa Council in Mezam Division, confirmed receiving payment notification from FEICOM. Expressing deep gratitude to FEICOM and the national government, Mayor Gahnyam noted that the funds end a four-month impasse.

Long Wait Ends

"The council has been waiting for this transfer for close to four months," HRH Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II noted. Pointing out that under the official schedule set by the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development, MINDDEVEL, first-quarter allocations for 2026 were due by May 1, 2026.

"The availability of these funds will significantly strengthen my Council's capacity to meet its financial obligations, improve public service delivery, and implement priority development projects," His Majesty Gahnyam II reiterated.

Transformative Relief

“This is great news and will go a long way to encourage our Mayors. Work done needs encouragement. I believe the powers that be will avoid accumulating this because most mayors expect their salaries to also be regular to meet up with mounting financial challenges.

“It is true money never gets old for use. The announcement is like Christmas to many of us! The government is doing it, the government assures and the government never fails,” underscored Sendze Evans Sanyuy, the Second Deputy Mayor of Kumbo Council in Bui Division of the North West Region.