At the inaugural Diamond Capital Convention 2026 held in Douala on 24 September 2026, the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, called for a paradigm shift in capital mobilization to finance Cameroon’s real economy, urging domestic and international investors to leverage the country’s improved macroeconomic stability and targeted tax incentive framework. The convention, organized under the auspices of MINFI, brought together banking regulators, pension funds, insurance companies, and development finance institutions to discuss innovative financing instruments, including green bonds, infrastructure sukuk, and public-private partnership (PPP) models. The Minister highlighted the 2026 Finance Law’s provisions for tax-advantaged investment vehicles and the upcoming regulatory framework for crowdfunding and venture capital.
Key Takeaways
- Tax-Incentivized Investment Vehicles: The 2026 Finance Law introduces a regime for “Real Economy Investment Funds” (FCPI-R) offering a 10-year corporate tax holiday on capital gains and dividend distributions, provided 70% of assets are invested in priority sectors (agribusiness, manufacturing, digital, renewable energy). The regime also grants VAT exemption on capital goods imported for approved projects.
- Green Finance Taxonomy and Incentives: In collaboration with the African Development Bank, MINFI is finalizing a green taxonomy to qualify projects for reduced withholding tax (5% vs. 16.5%) on interest payments to non-resident lenders, accelerated depreciation for climate-resilient assets, and eligibility for the new Carbon Credit Trading Platform under development.
- Capital Market Deepening: The convention launched the “Cameroon Capital Market Roadmap 2026-2030” which includes tax measures to stimulate liquidity: stamp duty exemption on primary market transactions for SMEs, reduced securities transaction tax for long-term holdings (>5 years), and a regulatory sandbox for fintech-driven capital raising platforms.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement