Africa: Cameroon strengthens employability and professional integration of young people

Awarding of certificates to young Cameroonian graduates

On March 20, seventy young Cameroonian graduates from the fifth cohort of the Professional Internship Program funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) received their internship completion certificates. The ceremony was held at the amphitheater of the Ministry of Economy in Yaoundé, and was attended by numerous dignitaries.

A strategic program for youth employability

Objectives and challenges of the program

Launched in 2018, the Professional Internship Program aims to:

• Strengthening the employability of young graduates
• Actively involve them in the implementation of Cameroon’s development projects

More than just an immersion, this internship offers practical training in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, the environment, communication and project management.

Development of technical and transversal skills

Interns also acquire cross-disciplinary skills in:

• Economic analysis
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Gender approach
• Sustainable development
• Management of interpersonal and professional relationships

According to Solomane Koné, AfDB’s acting director general for Central Africa, “the objective is to bring young graduates closer to the professional world by exposing them to demanding and stimulating environments.”

Testimonies of a transformative experience

Personal and professional impact

Inspiring testimonials illustrate the program’s impact:

• Marcelle Epoh , a communications intern, highlights the importance of communication in getting communities to support projects.
• Rosine Mabaom , a gender specialist, highlighted social inclusion initiatives for young women in rural areas.
• Adamou Massama , a computer science intern, testifies to the convergence between technology and infrastructure in national development.

An initiative to be sustained and expanded

Strengthening the system

AfDB and Ministry of Economy officials reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining this initiative, which has already trained more than 354 young people. A digital platform is being finalized to monitor and support the various cohorts, opening up new employment opportunities.

Strategic alignment with national and continental policies

The program is part of the logic of:

• Skills for Employability and Productivity Action Plan for Africa (SEPA, 2022-2025)
• Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030
• African Development Bank Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033)

Conclusion

The Professional Internship Program in Cameroon demonstrates a concrete commitment to the socio-economic integration of young people. Through the acquisition of strategic skills and leadership development, these young people become true agents of change. Through this initiative, Cameroon and the African Development Bank are helping to shape a better-educated, more resilient youth population that is fully integrated into the transformation process of the African continent.