I.    Cameroonian authorities have elaborated a participatory process involving public authorities, economic operators, civil society and development partners, the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) in April 2003. Presented to the international community in August of the same year, it was adopted as a framework for interventions of all actors of economic life in Cameroon. This strategy, based mainly on sector strategies in education and health has been an emphasis on programs of access to basic social services.

II.    At the time of the PRSP, the poverty rate, although in significant regression of 13.1 points compared with 1996, was still 40.2% of the population. To overcome this situation and bring it closer to a target level of about 20 to 25% by 2015, the authorities relied on an average pattern of growth of 5.5% on over the period 2004-2007 and 7 % between 2008 and 2015.
III.    In addition, the Government has established an institutional control strategy that includes: (i) an inter ministerial committee to monitor implementation of the PRSP, and (ii) a Technical Committee for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the PRSP. This device allowed the government to lead in a participatory approach, several reviews of monitoring / evaluation of its implementation.

IV.    The revision of the PRSP aims to correct distortions or deficiencies identified during the successive evaluations of the implementation, including participatory consultations in March 2008 to actually have an economic growth and which are secured efficient policies to redistribute fruits of growth. Determined to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ratified in 2000, the Cameroonian Government has ensured that the presence strategy is consistent with the MDGs.
V.    As regards to the review process, the authorities have reaffirmed their option for involving the grassroots population, through a participatory approach to better address their aspirations. To this end, participatory consultations in March 2008 have allowed populations to speak freely on public policies and strategies.
VI.    People have expressed the wish that the strategies to be applied in Cameroon should be the emanation of a long-term development vision accompanied by multi-year development programs. This recommendation is satisfied with the expression by the authorities of a 2035 development vision and the adoption in December 2007 of the new financial regime.

VII.    The GES was elaborated in an environment characterized by the rising cost of living, which led to riots experienced by the country in February 2008. Specifically, the context is marked by the global financial crisis, the food crisis and energy crisis.

VIII.    Given the above, the GES’s ambition is:

- to meet the challenge for growth and employment;
- to find solutions for a better distribution of the fruits of growth;
- to reduce the energy deficit that impacts growth;
- to resolve problems arising from the financial crisis and food crisis.