MINDCAF: Implements New Circulaires Foncières Cameroun 2024-2026

• Cameroon's Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi announced the immediate application of new land governance circulars on September 1, 2026.
• The MINDCAF circulaires foncières Cameroun 2024-2026 and Lettre-Circulaire n°0005 du 31 août 2026 are now mandatory for all ongoing land cases.
• The reforms address limitations of the 1974 ordinance, driven by demographic pressure and urbanization, aligning with SND30 and FAO directives.
• New rules include updated modalities for designating notables in Commissions consultatives foncières Cameroun and revised procedures for chiefdom attestations and site visits.
• Non-compliance with these new directives will result in sanctions, and a future projet loi foncière Cameroun will undergo parliamentary debate.

Legal professionals and compliance officers operating in Cameroon are therefore urged to promptly review these new circulars.

On September 1, 2026, a pivotal special session on land reform was convened in Yaoundé, hosted by the Regional Council of the Centre. Presiding over this significant gathering was Henri Eyebe Ayissi, the Minister of State Property, Survey and Land Tenure (MINDCAF), who announced the immediate implementation of new directives aimed at enhancing land governance in Cameroon. The session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including administrative authorities, traditional chiefs, and various actors from the land sector, underscoring the broad impact of these changes.

A central announcement was the immediate application of the MINDCAF circulaires foncières Cameroun 2024-2026, alongside Lettre-Circulaire n°0005 du 31 août 2026. These instruments are designed to streamline and regulate land management practices across the nation. Minister Ayissi emphasized the necessity for strict adherence to these new rules, which are now in effect for all ongoing land-related procedures.

The impetus for this comprehensive réforme foncière stems from the acknowledged limitations of the existing 1974 ordinance. Minister Ayissi highlighted how the previous legal framework has struggled to cope with escalating demographic pressure, rapid urbanization, and a proliferation of land disputes. This reform initiative is strategically aligned with Cameroon's National Development Strategy 2030 (SND30) and incorporates directives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), reflecting a commitment to sustainable and equitable land management.

Specifically, Lettre-Circulaire n°0005 du 31 août 2026 introduces updated modalities for the designation of notables within the Commissions consultatives foncières Cameroun. These commissions play a crucial role in local land administration, and the new guidelines aim to enhance their effectiveness and transparency. Furthermore, the directives mandate the creation of an annually updated file of attestations from 3rd degree chiefdoms and establish new scales for commission site visits, standardizing procedures and reducing potential for irregularities.

The new MINDCAF circulaires foncières Cameroun 2024-2026 carry significant and immediate implications for all stakeholders involved in land matters. The Minister explicitly stipulated that every ongoing land case and procedure before the consultative commissions must now conform to these recently introduced regulations. This requirement applies universally, irrespective of the stage of the proceedings, marking a critical shift in the operational landscape for land administration.

Legal professionals and compliance officers operating in Cameroon are therefore urged to promptly review these new circulars. Non-compliance with the updated rules, which include specific guidelines for annual attestations from 3rd degree chiefdoms and revised scales for commission site visits, will lead to sanctions. This underscores the imperative for immediate adaptation and adherence to avoid penalties and ensure the legality of land transactions and dispute resolutions.

Looking beyond the immediate implementation of these circulars, the gouvernance foncière Cameroun is poised for further evolution. A future projet loi foncière Cameroun is slated for rigorous evaluation during an upcoming parliamentary debate. This legislative initiative signals a deeper, more structural overhaul of the nation's land laws, building upon the foundational changes introduced by the current circulars.

The parliamentary discussions are expected to critically assess the proposed land bill, potentially leading to additional significant reforms. Stakeholders, particularly legal practitioners and those involved in land development, should therefore remain vigilant and prepare for potential changes that may arise from this legislative process. The ongoing commitment to réforme foncière indicates a sustained effort to modernize and strengthen Cameroon's land management system.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Cameroon must immediately review the new MINDCAF circulars (2024-2026 and n°0005) as they apply to all ongoing land cases and consultative commission procedures, with non-compliance risking sanctions. They should also prepare for potential changes arising from the upcoming parliamentary debate on the new land law.

Source: Original reporting via local press