Improving business climate: Taxation DG, D'la private sector concert on 2026 Finance Bill proposals.

This was the sole objective of the meeting which held on Monday, September 15, at the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts, CCIMA, headquarters in Bonanjo.

The session, attended by business leaders, professional associations and tax experts, was convened in line with the Ministry of Finance’s annual consultations aimed at gathering private sector contributions to fiscal policy as part of the preparations for the 2026 Finance Bill.

In his remarks, Abath Meyong emphasised that the Ministry of Finance has sent him on mission and is committed to constructive dialogue with all taxpayers — from very small enterprises to large corporations — to shape a tax system that supports economic growth and social development.

"Our mission is to listen to every voice in the private sector. About 40% of the proposals submitted are consistent with the budgetary framework set by the Head of State, and could be reflected in the 2026 Finance Bill,” he stated.

The Taxation DG emphasised that taxation is not merely a technical or administrative exercise, but a key instrument of governance and social justice. 

He recalled recent reforms, such as the new local taxation law and the introduction of incentives for investment, which demonstrate government’s intent to modernise the fiscal system and make it more equitable.

He also pointed at the government’s efforts to expand the tax base, fight fraud, and ensure compliance through digital tools such as real-time invoicing and electronic tax declarations.

“The upcoming reforms are meant to guarantee fairness. Every taxpayer, regardless of size, must contribute according to their real capacity. This is the foundation of fiscal justice,” Abath Meyong said, assuring operators that measures are underway to address the digital connectivity challenges faced by SMEs, particularly in remote regions.

He invited all who have not complied with the online declarations on revenue to do so within the allocated period of time. The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Christopher Eken, on his part, told reporters that businesses submitted 20 proposals during the session.

"We are pleased to see that 40% of our proposals have been taken into account. This reassures us that the concerns of enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, are being heard,” Eken said.

He added that SMEs, which account for nearly 80% of companies in Cameroon, often struggle with strict electronic declaration processes, and urged further government support to ease their compliance.

Eken reiterated the Chamber’s commitment to helping SMEs embrace digital systems, ensuring they are not left behind in the ongoing modernisation of the tax administration.

However, the Taxation DG stressed that all submissions — even those not retained for the 2026 Finance Law, remain valuable inputs for long-term fiscal planning.

“Some measures can be adopted immediately, while others require deeper technical and economic analysis. None will be ignored. Every contribution enriches the reflection needed to build a stable, transparent, and business-friendly tax environment,” he affirmed.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3568 of Thursday September 18, 2025