The Challenge
Youth unemployment remains a daunting challenge for the Cameroonian government, reflecting a broader issue across many African nations. According to the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP) of 2010, Cameroon faces an unemployment rate exceeding 30%, with under-employment affecting a staggering 75% of the workforce. The youth population constitutes the majority, with over 70% of Cameroonians being under the age of 35. This demographic represents a significant potential asset for the country's development. However, the existing economic structures and systems fail to provide young people with the opportunities they need to harness their potential
Mismatch between the education system and the job market
The curriculum design and the courses taught in schools and universities do not equip students with the practical and employable skills required by employers. As a result, each year, over 300,000 new graduates enter the job market without the necessary skills, further aggravating an already dire unemployment situation
The socio-political and economic consequences of youth unemployment are profound and far-reaching
Exploitation and Manipulation
Unemployed youths are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation, leading many to engage in criminal activities such as internet fraud, drug trafficking, and even joining terrorist groups like Boko Haram
Complexity of Socio-political Crisis
The situation is further compounded by ongoing conflicts, such as the Anglophone crisis, which has led to a significant population of internally displaced young people, particularly from rural areas into urban centers like Buea, Bamenda, YaoundƩ, and Douala. The influx of displaced youths into urban areas has strained local resources and increased the competition for already scarce jobs.
Addressing youth unemployment in Cameroon and across Africa requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government, private sector, and civil society collaboration