Cameroun: state centralises local tax collection amid decentralisation drive

In a decisive move, the Cameroonian government has revoked the authority of local councils to collect taxes and levies, transferring these powers to the General Tax Directorate. This shift, framed as a measure to curb financial irregularities, represents a significant centralisation of fiscal control despite ongoing commitments to decentralisation.

In the eastern region’s Doumaintang and Betaré-Oya, communities face pressing needs: crumbling roads, impassable access routes, and a severe lack of public infrastructure. The government’s decision to reassume tax administration has sparked mixed reactions among local leaders.

Ending systemic fiscal abuses

At Doumaintang, Mayor Honoré Koumé welcomes the reform as a long-overdue correction to widespread mismanagement. He highlights systemic issues in local tax collection, including inflated levies and procedural inconsistencies that fueled high rates of tax evasion. The persistent tensions between municipal agents and market traders—particularly involving motorcycle taxi operators—underscore the deep-seated challenges in administering fair and effective tax policies.

Koumé argues that the General Tax Directorate possesses the institutional capacity, technical expertise, and logistical framework necessary to streamline tax collection and ensure compliance. For him, this reform is not just about revenue recovery but restoring credibility to local fiscal governance.

Concerns over stalled local development

However, in Betaré-Oya, Mayor Nicolas Baba voices scepticism. He contends that true decentralisation must empower local authorities to manage their own resources. The state’s intervention, he warns, risks stifling local initiatives and delaying critical projects promised to residents.

Baba questions the timing of the reform: “We were assured that decentralisation would bring real change at the grassroots level. Now, with this shift, we’re told to shelve our plans until the situation becomes clearer. How does this serve our communities?”

The government’s decision arrives amid growing scrutiny of municipal finances. In recent years, several councils—including Nkongsamba—have faced allegations of embezzlement, poor governance, and budgetary irregularities. By reclaiming control over tax collection, authorities aim to tighten oversight and restore public trust in local financial management.

With over 360 councils nationwide, the coming months will reveal the full impact of this reform—on local revenues, service delivery, and the government’s pledge to empower communities.