African Development Bank initiatives create more job opportunities for youth in Cameroon

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is celebrating the success of its program aimed at creating job opportunities for young people in Cameroon. At a recent meeting in Yaoundé, stakeholders from various sectors gathered to discuss the Bank’s Program to Support Youth Employability in the country.

The event, chaired by Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, the Bank Group’s Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration, and Business Delivery, highlighted the positive impact of the program on young entrepreneurs and graduates who have benefited from work placements in projects funded by the Bank.

With significant participation from female entrepreneurs and young graduates, the meeting showcased the success stories of individuals who have been able to integrate into the workforce through the program. The Bank’s commitment to regional development was further emphasized with the upcoming inauguration of its regional office for Central Africa.

According to Serge N’Guessan, Director General of the Bank Group for Central Africa, the program has already provided 284 young individuals with valuable opportunities to work in various sectors, including the public and private sectors. Notably, seven of them have secured positions within the Ministry of Public Works.

Participants at the meeting advocated for more funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and a faster process for creating a web platform for networking with former interns. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade reiterated the Bank’s support for self-employment, especially for young people and women, through initiatives like AFAWA.

The Bank’s focus on supporting young people and women was further emphasized, with the Vice-President urging participants to continue training and improving their skills to be competitive in the job market. The Bank’s commitment to supporting large businesses in the private sector to promote inclusivity for young people and women was also highlighted.

Overall, the Bank’s program in Cameroon has been instrumental in providing opportunities for young individuals to enter the workforce and start their own businesses, with the Bank offering guarantees to commercial banks to support their projects.