The session was moderated by Professor SOH Fotsing of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and Fadimatou IYAWA OUSMANOU, President of the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC).
MINEPAT – Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development
Professor SOH Fotsing presented the role of MINEPAT in advancing youth-focused development in Cameroon.
He highlighted that:
“Youth are a strategic priority within Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS30), which places strong emphasis on employment, innovation, and the digital economy.”
Key Interventions
Structural Transformation Programmes
Initiatives such as the P2I-SND30 programme aim to modernize the national economy while ensuring that young people are integrated into emerging industries.
Employment and Training
Through partnerships with institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), MINEPAT supports paid professional internship programmes for young graduates, enabling them to gain practical experience and improve their employability.
Capacity Building
Youth are trained in priority areas including project management, ICT, and entrepreneurship, ensuring alignment with national economic transformation goals.
The United Nations System
Dr. Issa SANOGO, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, outlined the UN’s commitment to youth empowerment and participation.
He noted that the UN system:
“Creates platforms where young people can contribute to policy discussions at global and regional levels, while strengthening their leadership capacities to influence decision-making in their communities.”
UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund
Ms. Mangele Gertrude, representing UNFPA, emphasized the organization’s work in promoting peace, health, and social cohesion among young people.
She highlighted initiatives such as the “Na We We Sports Jamboree,” which brought together 500 young internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community youth through sports to promote peace and civic engagement.
UNFPA also prioritizes:
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Sexual and Reproductive Health: Ensuring access to reproductive health services, family planning, and HIV prevention, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
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Youth Empowerment and Gender Equality: Providing young people with knowledge, services, and leadership opportunities to shape their futures.
UNESCO – Areas of Intervention for Cameroonian Youth
Yves Thierry ZAMGBOLE, representing UNESCO, presented the organization’s interventions for youth in Cameroon.
Education and Skills Development
UNESCO promotes inclusive and quality education, supports digital literacy and ICT training, and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation through youth training centers.
Peacebuilding and Civic Engagement
Programmes such as “Young People, Weavers of Peace” train youth as peace ambassadors. UNESCO also runs civic engagement initiatives in regions like Eastern Cameroon to strengthen social cohesion and prevent conflict.
Youth Talent Showcase – Instant Slam
The Forum also highlighted youth creativity. Young slam poet Vianney presented her artistic vision of Cameroonian youth through a powerful spoken word performance, reflecting the dynamism and aspirations of young people.
ILO – International Labour Organization
Raoul Rodrigue ZOUNZONG, representing the ILO, outlined the organization’s key functions in supporting youth employment.
He emphasized:
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Promoting Decent Work: Decent jobs for young people foster economic growth and social stability.
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Reducing Youth Unemployment: The ILO develops strategies to address the fact that youth are significantly more likely to be unemployed than adults.
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Addressing Gender Inequalities: Young women are disproportionately represented among NEET populations, and the ILO promotes gender-sensitive employment policies.
Plan International Cameroon
Represented by Deddy NDONKEN, Plan International operates in over 1,200 communities across Cameroon, tackling the root causes of inequality and empowering young people, especially girls.
Its interventions focus on:
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Education and Skills Development
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Entrepreneurship and Decent Work
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ICT Skills Training to prepare youth for modern labor markets
Advice to Youth on Engaging Technical and Financial Partners
The session concluded with practical guidance for young people seeking to collaborate with development partners:
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Build Strong Networks: Attend conferences, workshops, and community events where partners are present. Personal connections often open doors faster than formal applications.
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Leverage Digital Platforms: Use professional networks such as LinkedIn, innovation hubs, and digital forums to showcase projects and connect with organizations.
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Present Clear Value Propositions: Partners are more responsive when youth initiatives clearly align with their mission and objectives.
This round table highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing youth empowerment and ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills, opportunities, and support systems needed to thrive.
