Fame Ndongo: Cameroun Commits Billions for Paiement Primes Recherche

• Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo announced significant financial commitments to resolve a crisis in Cameroon's state universities.
• These funds, totaling billions of FCFA, are designated for research modernization and settling academic debt, following instructions from President Paul Biya.
• Payments for research modernization include 5.47 billion FCFA for Q4 2025 (transferred July 26, 2026), 1.76 billion FCFA for Q1 2026 (paid September 18), and 4.91 billion FCFA for Q2 2026 (transfer started September 18).
• Of the 16.95 billion FCFA academic debt from 2000-2021, 7.29 billion FCFA (43%) has been paid since October 3, 2025, with 9.69 billion FCFA remaining for progressive disbursement.
• The Minister expects these payments to ensure a calm continuation of academic activities, relying on the maturity of the teaching staff.

The mobilization of these crucial funds was explicitly carried out under the direct instructions of President Paul Biya, signaling high-level governmental intervention.

Minister of State and Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, recently made public significant financial commitments aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis within Cameroon's state universities. These announcements, detailed in an official communiqué signed on the day of the report, underscore a concerted effort to address long-standing financial issues. The mobilization of these crucial funds was explicitly carried out under the direct instructions of President Paul Biya, signaling high-level governmental intervention.

The primary objectives of these financial disbursements are twofold: to facilitate the modernization of research initiatives across the nation's higher education institutions and to settle outstanding academic debt. This strategic paiement of primes for recherche is intended to stabilize the academic environment and foster a more conducive setting for scholarly pursuits in Cameroun.

Regarding the allocation for research modernization, specific figures and timelines have been provided. An amount of 5.47 billion FCFA, designated for the fourth quarter of 2025, had already been fully transferred by July 26, 2026. Further payments were initiated this Friday, September 18, addressing subsequent periods. This includes the remaining balance for the first quarter of 2026, which saw 1.76 billion FCFA disbursed, contributing to a total quarterly payment of 4.86 billion FCFA.

Additionally, the transfer of 4.91 billion FCFA for the second quarter of 2026 also commenced on this same Friday, September 18. For university personnel who receive their payments by bill, collection has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, at 12 PM, at the Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) premises. These structured payments represent a significant step in fulfilling the government's financial pledges towards enhancing research capabilities.

Beyond the immediate paiement of primes for recherche, the communiqué also addressed the substantial academic debt accumulated between 2000 and 2021. While the total envelope for this historical debt stands at 16.95 billion FCFA, the minister noted that 7.29 billion FCFA, representing 43% of the total, has already been paid since October 3, 2025. The remaining 9.69 billion FCFA is slated for progressive disbursement, indicating a phased approach to resolving this long-standing financial obligation.

These financial interventions by Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo are positioned as a critical measure to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy within the state university system. The ongoing crisis, which these payments aim to defuse, has been a significant concern for the academic community and the government alike. The comprehensive nature of the payments, covering both future research modernization and past academic arrears, highlights a dual strategy to address current operational needs and historical liabilities.

In light of these substantial financial commitments, the Minister expressed his reliance on the maturity of the teaching staff. He anticipates that these disbursements will pave the way for a serene continuation of academic activities, fostering an environment of stability and productivity. The government's explicit instructions from President Biya underscore the national importance attached to resolving these issues and ensuring the smooth functioning of higher education in Cameroun.

Source: Reporting on Cameroon's higher education financial commitments.