The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, chaired the official launch of the State budget for the 2025 financial year in Buea on January 15, 2025. Under the banner of economic recovery and reconstruction, this ceremony provided an opportunity to present national priorities and projects specific to the South-West region.
It was in a warm and solemn atmosphere that the city of Buea, capital of the South-West region, hosted the launching ceremony of the State budget for the year 2025. Despite the persistent security challenges, the Minister of Finance was keen to salute the combined efforts of the administrative authorities, the defense forces and the local populations to restore peace and promote development. “Beyond the losses and suffering suffered, this restored calm is the fruit of the patriotic commitment and resilience of the populations of the South-West,” declared Louis Paul Motaze, visibly moved.

Increased budget for national priorities
The 2025 State budget, promulgated on December 23, 2024 by the President of the Republic, amounts to 7,317.7 billion FCFA, an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year. This budget is geared towards strategic priorities, including: Promoting import substitution to reduce imports in the agro-pastoral sector; Rehabilitating infrastructure in conflict-affected regions; Strengthening energy and transport capacities; Combating climate change and promoting the green economy.
The Minister also highlighted the tax breaks planned to encourage investment and support household purchasing power. These measures include VAT exemption on local flours, reduction of registration fees on residential leases, and tax benefits for imported electric vehicles.
Specific actions for the South-West
In a context marked by reconstruction, the South-West benefits from a special budget of 59.8 billion FCFA for the year 2025.
Several structural projects have been announced to improve the living conditions of the population:
Road infrastructure
Rehabilitation of the Bekoko-Limbe-Idenau road (10 billion); Asphalting of the Ekondo Titi-Kumba (7 billion) and Kumba-Mamfe (4.5 billion) roads.
Energy sector
Construction of a 90/30 KV high voltage substation at SONARA; Site security for the Limbe gas power plant.
Health and education
Construction of care units in Kumba and Mundemba; Equipment of the Ombe Technical High School and extension of NASLA.
Reconstruction and social cohesion
The Minister highlighted the Presidential Reconstruction and Development Program (PPRD), which has an allocation of 36.4 billion FCFA for 2025. Since 2020, this program has helped rebuild 79 schools, 37 hospitals and 23 markets, while supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs. In parallel, the National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (CNDDR) has been allocated 4.4 billion FCFA to encourage more fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into civil society.
Call for mobilization and budgetary discipline
Louis Paul Motaze urged local stakeholders to remain committed to ensuring effective budget execution. Despite the progress made, he stressed the need to overcome persistent challenges, including meeting project deadlines and combating corrupt practices. “We have achieved a lot, but there are still challenges to be overcome so that the fruits of these efforts benefit all,” he concluded.
With ambitious investments and a strong desire to strengthen decentralization, the launch of the 2025 budget in Buea marks a crucial step for the economic and social development of the South-West region and Cameroon as a whole.