The Cameroonian Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, chaired a workshop in Yaoundé aimed at gaining visibility into public administration resources to enhance treasury management. The workshop brought together officials from various projects and programs, as well as banking institutions. The goal was to obtain an updated and comprehensive picture of the accounts, their holders, nature, balances, and conditions surrounding their potential repatriation into the Single Treasury Account (STA).
The initiative is part of the STA reform led by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). As of June 30, 2026, public administration assets held by these entities totaled nearly 1,000 billion FCFA, an increase from 450 billion FCFA in 2022. At the BEAC, the state has approximately 390 billion FCFA. Seven banks concentrate 80% of these deposits, with AFG Bank Cameroon holding the largest share at around 40%.
The census aims to improve the management of public resources and enhance transparency. The data will enable the state to open discussions with stakeholders and potentially repatriate funds into the STA. This move is expected to strengthen the traceability of funds and optimize treasury management. The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the census.
According to the BEAC's national director, Pierre Emmanuel Nkoa Ayissi, the public administration deposits represent around 10% of the total deposits in the banking system. The concentration of deposits in a few banks highlights the need for a comprehensive census to better understand the distribution of public funds. This information will inform policy decisions and improve the management of public resources.
The reform of the STA is being implemented under the community framework, driven by the BEAC. The census is a crucial step towards achieving the objectives of the reform, which include improving treasury management, enhancing transparency, and strengthening the traceability of funds. The successful implementation of the census will depend on the collaboration of stakeholders, including banking institutions and government agencies.
The Cameroonian government has taken steps to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The census of public administration accounts is part of a broader effort to enhance governance and optimize the use of public funds. The outcome of the census will inform policy decisions and contribute to the development of effective strategies for managing public resources.
The implementation of the census is expected to have a positive impact on the management of public resources in Cameroon. By improving transparency and accountability, the government can ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively. The census will also provide valuable insights into the distribution of public deposits and inform policy decisions aimed at optimizing treasury management.
Key points
- The census aims to improve treasury management and transparency by providing a comprehensive picture of public administration accounts held in banks.
- Public administration assets held in banks totaled nearly 1,000 billion FCFA as of June 30, 2026.
- Seven banks concentrate 80% of public administration deposits, with AFG Bank Cameroon holding the largest share.
