Customs strategises to mobilise over 1.2 trillion FCFA revenue in 2026.

The officials met during their pioneer weekly meeting of the management committee for the new financial year. The hybrid meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, held in the conference room of the Customs Directorate General and was by videoconferencing.

It was chaired on behalf of the Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod Nuvaga, by the Head of the Legislation and Litigation Division, DGD3, Tchami Yves Patrick.

During the meeting, the officials reviewed some highlights of the just ended financial year with general satisfaction on the strategies developed, the actions implemented and the results achieved. 

The representative of Customs DG applauded personnel for the results achieved, noting that the revenue was mobilised to fund the State budget as well as ensure security at the borders and within the national territory.

He also mentioned strides in the protection against trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting and smuggling, while local businesses were supported and the economy developed harmoniously.  

With the sum of 1,243.2 billion FCFA expected as customs revenue for the 2026 financial year, Tchami said strategies have been deployed since January 1, 2026, to mobilise the maximum amount of revenue, in pragmatic continuity with what has been successful in the past.  

It was revealed that the monitoring of certain commercial operations will also be a focus for 2026, notably the monitoring of exports of minerals and cocoa beans. 

It was disclosed that through this, the customs department aims to refine the statistics on the goods, combat fraud and smuggling more effectively, as well as to increase the collection of customs duties and taxes. 

2026 budgetary envelope objectives

Under the supervision of the Customs Director of Resources and Logistics, Commander Louis Pagou;the Head of the Equipment Department, Engelbert Elock, said the budgetary envelope of the Directorate General of Customs for the 2026 financial year is based on four objectives. 

In his presentation, Elock highlighted the different aspects of the Customs Directorate General's budget; from its evolution, its different economic components, and the distribution among its various central and decentralised structures. 

Besides pointing out the main innovations contained in the Customs Directorate General's 2026 budget, the Head of the Equipment Department outlined the main officials of the Customs Directorate General, authorising officers and credit managers, the allocated budget envelope, its breakdown and distribution, as well as their new responsibilities and obligations; 

He also reminded all managers and supervisors at the Customs Directorate General of their involvement and rigorous monitoring of the budgetary process, prioritising the improvement of their staff's working conditions on a par with customs activities. 

Int’l Customs day, Partners' Evening

The celebration of International Customs Day, JID, and the Customs Administration Partners' Evening, SDP, were equally on the agenda.

According to the Head of the International Cooperation and Taxation Bases Division, Kwedi Samuel, who doubles as Chairman of the organising committee for the above events, activities for JID will be launched on Monday January 19, 2026 in Bafoussam while the 15th edition of the SDP will take place in Douala on Friday January 23, 2026. 

Kwedi assured that all is being put in place to ensure total success with working sessions regularly organised by the organising committee and the specialised commissions set up by the Director General of Customs. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3665 of Tuesday January 06, 2026