With a dynamic young population, Cameroon has considerable growth potential. However, the professional integration of this young workforce is a major challenge. To address it, initiatives from 2018 to 2025 have sought to channel the energy of the youth toward promising sectors. Women, in particular, received special attention, in recognition of their role in economic development. The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PDCVA) is a striking example: it incubated 1,770 young people and supported the creation of 712 businesses, exceeding initial objectives and demonstrating a strong appetite for agricultural entrepreneurship among young people.

The employment and entrepreneurship strategy was based on several pillars. First, structured projects in the industrial sector generated thousands of jobs. The construction of the Nachtigal dam and the modernization of the Kribi port had an immediate impact on the local workforce. Second, support for the private sector was strengthened, particularly through the Cameroonian Private Sector Support Operation (OSSP-CMR), which helped more than 200 companies in 2024 to consolidate and create new jobs. Third, the digital sector was stimulated by the deployment of thousands of kilometers of fiber optic cable, creating a favorable ecosystem for the emergence of new businesses and teleworking. In addition, Economically Distressed Zones benefited from specific measures, such as tax exemptions, to attract investments.

While the efforts made between 2018 and 2025 have yielded results, the challenge of youth employment remains. Authorities are still faced with a high unemployment rate and the prevalence of the informal economy. For the coming years, the focus must be on strengthening vocational and technical training to better align skills with market needs. Initiatives like the Agritech Innovation Challenge indicate a clear desire to continue investing in innovation. By capitalizing on the achievements of this period, Cameroon has the opportunity to transform its demographics into a sustainable engine of growth and make young people the true builders of its economy.

CK