The Finance and Budget Control Committee of the National Assembly concluded its marathon review of the 2026 budget bills this Friday by adopting the final two sections: common expenditures and the budget of the Ministry of Finance and Budget (MFB). Common expenditures amount to 902.5 billion FCFA in commitment authorizations and 487.9 billion in payment appropriations, representing a moderate increase of 15.95 billion FCFA (+3.4%) compared to 2025.

This growth is entirely driven by strategic government investments, particularly the payment of taxes on externally financed contracts and infrastructure related to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). At the same time, personnel expenses are decreasing, and several exceptional programs planned for 2025 (modernization of public finances, funding for regional hubs, and structural investments) are not being renewed.

At the Ministry of Finance and Budget, the tone is one of contraction: 681.8 billion FCFA in commitment appropriations (AE) and 676.3 billion in payment appropriations (CP), representing a decrease of 151.1 billion (-18.3%) compared to the previous fiscal year. The reduction primarily affects the "Steering, Management, and Coordination" program (from 466.3 billion to 269.4 billion) and the program dedicated to the preparation and monitoring of finance laws (from 36.9 billion to 24.5 billion).

Minister Cheikh Diba presented this slimming cure as a "strategic refocusing" in the service of rationalization and budgetary performance.

With these two final texts adopted, all ministerial budgets are now ready for the plenary session where members of parliament will vote on the initial 2026 budget law. "This budget cycle demonstrates the rigor, transparency, and consistency of the decisions made," declared Minister Cheikh Diba after the proceedings. The next step: the formal vote in the chamber.