Expenditure programming is a weak link in public finances. Budgetary decisions are subjected to essentially activity-based management to the detriment of programme specification. When in fact it should be establishing the hierarchy of the priorities, the strategy document for the reduction of poverty (DRSP) remains a reference that is still rather theoretical as an effective basis for budgetary allocation and the alignment of aid, while the finance law does not specify precise objectives for the budget or permit programming over several years. The programming process appears to be split between a variety of sources (its own resources, financing from outside, etc.), by time constraints (an annual budget) and the nature of the expenditure (operating budget, investment budget), which are hard to interpret (no programming of the expenditure by objective), frequently not very realistic in terms financial perspectives and insufficiently strategic.

The programme for improving the programming of public spending (PAPDEP) was drawn up with a view to aiding the Cameroon government to improve the quality of its expenditure and to strengthen the link between the strategic document for the reduction of poverty (DSRP), the medium term expenditure framework (CDMT) and the budget.

In the context of this programme, two long-term international technical assistants are provided in support of operationalisation of the strategies and the ministerial and sectorial CDMTs, and the budgeting of programmes and projects. National and international experts will also be mobilised to supply occasional support in areas such as development of the strategies and sectorial programmes, public accounting and management monitoring.

The sectors targeted are justice, agriculture, livestock, industry, commerce, small and medium companies and public works.