Central Africa urged to strengthen productive sector amid fragile growth, high
inflation and informal jobs
Yaoundé, Cameroon, 14 October 2026 — Economic growth in Central Africa slowed to 3.6%
in 2025 from 4.6% in 2024. Inflation eased from 16.2% to 10.8%, but the high cost of living
continues to weigh on household purchasing power. Heavy reliance on extractive industries
also leaves the subregion’s economies vulnerable.
These findings were presented on 13 October at the 42nd session of the Intergovernmental
Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for Central Africa (ICSOE). The overview of
macroeconomic and social conditions highlights the urgent need to accelerate economic
diversification and strengthen the subregion’s resilience.
“The near-term economic outlook remains favourable, provided countries accelerate reforms
to strengthen the private sector, preserve macroeconomic stability and advance regional
integration,” said Laura Ngomegni, a statistician at the Subregional Office for Central Africa
of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The subregion’s fiscal deficit widened to 3.3% of GDP in 2025 from 1.4% in 2024. The
current account shifted from a small surplus of 0.2% of GDP to a deficit of 2%. Public debt
remained relatively contained at around 44% of GDP in 2025, but interest payments are
reducing the fiscal space available for health, education and infrastructure.
“Mobilising more domestic resources would reduce countries’ exposure to external shocks
and interest-rate volatility, while easing the pressure that debt servicing places on
development financing,” said Professor Bruno Ongo Nkoa, Director of the Centre for Studies
and Research in Economics and Management (CEREG) at the University of Yaoundé II–Soa.
With informal employment accounting for 87% of all jobs, a gradual transition to formal
economic activity remains essential. ECA also recommends improving access to finance for
businesses, expanding energy supply and closing infrastructure gaps to support local
processing. These reforms must be backed by stronger economic governance.
“We can expand markets for our businesses and strengthen regional value chains by
removing trade barriers and coordinating economic policies,” said Jules Rommel Touka, Head
of Economic, Monetary and Financial Policies at the Economic Community of Central African
States (ECCAS).
Queries
Zacharie Roger MBARGA | Communications Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
637, rue 3.069, Quartier du Lac, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel: (+237) 222504348
Email: zacharie.mbargayene@un.org
