Central Africa Debt Surges: CEMAC Navigates Turbulent Waters

By the end of July, the outstanding debt in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region reached XOF 10.56 trillion, marking a 3.34% increase from June, according to reports by the Central African States Bank (BEAC). This hike pushed the regional debt-to-GDP ratio up to 13.3%, from 12.9% in the previous month and 12% at the end of 2025. The growing public debt burden poses significant challenges for the fiscal health and economy of the six member states: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Chad, and the Republic of Congo. This scenario reflects shared financial and economic challenges faced by African nations in balancing infrastructure investments with financial sustainability. Against a global backdrop where interest rates are rising and basic commodity prices are under pressure, Central Africa is grappling with new challenges to maintain economic growth and ensure macroeconomic stability.