North West Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique chairs the launch of the 2026 budget for the North West
Authorities in the North West Region have outlined an ambitious development roadmap anchored on infrastructure, healthcare, energy, and social services, as the implementation of the 2026 Finance Law officially gets underway in the region.
North West Regional Delegate of the Economy
Speaking during the launching exercise in Bamenda, Tuesday 14th January 2026, the Regional Delegate of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Buinda Godlove Nsakado, said the region’s priorities are clearly aligned with ongoing government policy instruments, including the Impulse Programme projects, which are designed to stimulate economic growth, boost agricultural production, and strengthen education.
Road infrastructure remains a major focus, with plans to continue and rehabilitate key road networks such as the ring road, the Babungo-Ngoh, Wum–Bamenda, Ndu–Nkambe, and Nkambe–Misaje axes. According to the Regional Delegate, improved road connectivity is critical for economic recovery and access to basic services across the region.
The health sector is also receiving increased attention, with projects targeting the construction, rehabilitation, and equipping of hospitals across the region. He cited the Regional Hospital Annex in Nkambe and the Regional Hospital in Bamenda as key facilities, adding that nearly all divisions now have subdivisional hospitals to ensure equitable healthcare access beyond the regional capital.
Investments in water and energy infrastructure form another pillar of the development plan. Addressing persistent electricity shortages, Buinda Godlove revealed that the State has allocated 2 billion CFA francs to the region for the rehabilitation and extension of electricity at a time when Divisions like Menchum and Donga Mantung have gone for several years without being connected to the national electricity grid.
The 2026 Public Investment budget for the North West witnesses an increase from about 96 billion in 2025 to 117 billion in 2026. Commenting on the budgetary increase, Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique praised the government for raising the region’s budget. He called on all stakeholders to demonstrate transparency and responsibility in implementing development projects, noting that several major initiatives launched last year are being continued to ensure completion.
Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique
The Governor expressed optimism that the sustained execution of these projects would significantly transform the region’s infrastructure landscape by the end of the year, giving the North West a renewed development outlook.
Dr Nana Mboafong Emmanuel
For his part, Dr. Nana Mbafong Emmanuel, Head of the Division for Cooperation with Emerging Countries at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), explained that the 2026 Finance Law is designed to drive inclusive economic growth and improve living standards nationwide.
He disclosed that the national budget stands at approximately 8,800 billion CFA francs, incorporating major innovations in budgetary policy, operations, reporting, evaluation, and governance. These reforms, he said, aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public spending.
Dr. Mbafong added that the effective implementation of the Finance Law is expected to strengthen regional economies, stimulate job creation, and reduce poverty levels, particularly in regions facing post-crisis recovery challenges such as the North West.
With increased funding, clearly defined priorities, and renewed calls for accountability, authorities say the 2026 Finance Law offers the North West Region a critical opportunity to accelerate reconstruction, improve service delivery, and restore confidence in public development initiatives.
The budget was launched in Bamenda under the theme; "The budget of Socio-eocomic Impact."
By
Ndi Tsembom Elvis
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