Heads of State from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the CEMAC zone have issued a joint “Emergency Reform Mandate” to prevent a total collapse of the region’s weakening economies.
The directive, issued today, Thursday, 22 January 2026, follows an extraordinary summit where leaders admitted that the current economic trajectory, marred by high debt, falling commodity exports, and currency instability, is “unsustainable.”
The leaders of nations including Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic have committed to the following immediate actions:
Fiscal Discipline: Slashing non-essential government spending and implementing stricter “debt ceilings” to prevent further borrowing from international lenders.
Diversification Away from Oil: Heavy investment in agribusiness and local manufacturing to reduce the region’s vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations (like the recent Kazakh force majeure).
Unified Digital Payment Systems: Accelerating the integration of cross-border digital payments to boost intra-regional trade, which currently accounts for less than 5% of total commerce.
Anti-Corruption Tribunals: Establishing specialized regional courts to track and recover “illicit financial flows” that drain billions from Central African treasuries annually.
The region is facing a “triple threat” that has triggered these drastic measures:
The CFA Franc Debate: Growing domestic pressure to rethink the currency’s peg to the Euro has caused capital flight.
Commodity Slump: While oil prices ticked up today, the long-term trend for Central Africa’s timber and mineral exports has been bearish.
Inflation: Regional food and fuel inflation has crossed the 18% mark, leading to fears of social unrest similar to the South Korean martial law protests.
Economic Snapshot: Central Africa (2026)
| Country | Debt-to-GDP Ratio | Inflation Rate | Priority Sector |
| Cameroon | 48% | 12% | Tech & Infrastructure |
| Gabon | 62% | 15% | Sustainable Forestry |
| Congo | 95% | 22% | Oil & Natural Gas |
| C.A.R. | 55% | 30% | Mining & Peacebuilding |
The ECCAS Chairperson has also said:
“The era of relying on a single resource is over. Central Africa cannot be a spectator in its own development. These reforms will be painful, but the alternative is economic irrelevance. We are building a new foundation for the next generation.”
