The Government of Cameroon has tabled a bill before the Parliament that aims to revamp local taxation laws, boosting municipal revenues while addressing systemic inefficiencies.
However, the proposed reforms have sparked a robust debate among lawmakers, local government officials, and the public.
Presenting the bill before Parliament, the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze, stated, “This reform is necessary to address inefficiencies and empower local councils to provide better services to their citizens.”
Among other issues, the bill seeks to empower local councils with more powers to generate revenue in their municipalities.
It also seeks to harmonise the tax rates across different councils to foster balanced regional development.
The bill incorporates additional categories of taxable assets, including certain commercial properties and agricultural land.
It establishes standardized tax rates across regions, reducing discrepancies that have historically disadvantaged poorer municipalities.
Additionally, the draft law mandates the adoption of digital platforms for tax assessments and payments to minimize corruption and improve transparency.
It also provides tax rebates for early or timely payments to encourage voluntary compliance.
The bill also Introduces a formula for redistributing tax revenues from wealthy to underprivileged regions.
Support from Municipal Authorities
Many Municipal Councils support the bill, viewing it as an opportunity to enhance their financial independence.
“This is a game-changer for local governance. With better resources, we can finally tackle infrastructure deficits,” said Tonde Gabriel Lifanje, the Mayor of Idenau, in the South West Region.
Concerns About Financial Burden
On the other hand, economic operators argue that the expanded tax base and standardized rates could increase their financial burdens.
“The government must ensure these reforms don’t stifle entrepreneurship. We already struggle with high operating costs,” Ndima Samuel, a businessman in Tiko, remarked.
Some citizens fear the reforms could lead to higher taxes without significant improvements in service delivery.
“We’ve seen reforms before, but the benefits never trickle down. Will this time be different?” Mbeng Richard, a resident of Bonaberi, Douala questioned.
Critics argue that while the bill promises equity, it may disproportionately impact middle-class taxpayers and small businesses.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the readiness of local councils to adopt digital tools and manage expanded responsibilities.
In Parliament, some lawmakers even questioned whether wealthier councils will willingly comply with redistribution mandates.
In the meantime, economic operators highlighted that the bill’s success hinges on its implementation.
“The principles are sound, but the devil is in the details. If executed poorly, this could exacerbate inequalities rather than resolve them,” said Ewane Derick, an Economist in Buea.
Proponents argue that digitalisation and compliance incentives are long-overdue reforms.
“These measures can reduce leakages and foster a culture of accountability,” said Regina Etoundi, a tax consultant.
The bill is scheduled for parliamentary debate next week, where amendments are likely to be proposed.
