Cameroon seeks green jobs for youth

Cameroon is working to create new economic opportunities to help young people integrate into the workforce while addressing challenges linked to climate change. The goal is to develop income-generating activities, build professional skills, and protect natural resources.

Vocational training promoted for green economy

The government is focusing on vocational training as a key tool to develop the green economy. During the second Green Jobs Week, which ended on October 20 in Yaoundé, officials reaffirmed their plan to create or transform 120,000 decent jobs by 2029. The minister emphasized that "there can be no sustainable green jobs without appropriate skills."

Scholarships and sectors targeted for green jobs

A major part of the plan includes 5,000 free scholarships for green jobs under the ORFEV-JEUNES program. These scholarships target six sectors, including solar energy, plastic recycling, and ecotourism. The program includes eleven pilot projects and a budget of 21 billion CFA francs, aiming to create 60,000 jobs by 2027 before expanding nationwide in 2028.

Youth unemployment remains a major challenge

Despite the government’s efforts, employment challenges in Cameroon are significant. Young people aged 18 to 35 make up 57% of the active population, according to the World Bank. However, many of these individuals face difficulties in finding stable jobs or improving working conditions.

Informal work dominates employment in Cameroon

A 2021 survey by Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics showed that most workers in the informal sector are self-employed or work for their own account. Only 6 out of 100 workers studied were salaried, and fewer than 5% had written contracts. This highlights the widespread reliance on informal employment and the limited access to formal labor protections.