(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon Railways (CAMRAIL), in partnership with the Institute for Professional Training in Railway Trades in Central Africa (Imefac), has launched a competitive exam to recruit 20 new assistant train drivers. Aspiring candidates have until October 12, 2025, to apply, with written exams scheduled for October 25 in Douala, Yaoundé, and Ngaoundéré.
This recruitment drive, announced in late September, is a key part of the railway operator’s plan to refresh its technical staff ahead of major modernization projects. According to CAMRAIL, the initiative aims to “open the railway sector to young Cameroonians and guarantee a qualified succession.” To be eligible, candidates must be between 20 and 25 years old and hold a higher secondary diploma in a scientific or technical field, such as a GCE A-Level, Baccalauréat C, E, or F, or an equivalent certificate.
The selection process is structured in three phases: written exams covering text analysis, general knowledge, and mathematics, followed by medical aptitude tests and psychotechnical assessments. To advance, candidates must achieve an overall average of at least 12/20 on the written portion and avoid scoring below the eliminatory mark of 8/20 in any single subject. The exams will be held at Imefac headquarters in Douala, the Etoa-Meki public school in Yaoundé, and the bilingual Enieg in Ngaoundéré.
Prospective applicants must submit their materials exclusively online via the official websites, www.imefac.org or www.camrail.net. A non-refundable registration fee of CFAF 20,000 is required. CAMRAIL notes that this fee covers only half the actual cost of organizing the exam, with the company subsidizing the remaining balance.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy to address a significant staffing gap, as many of CAMRAIL’s current employees are approaching retirement. The company is also preparing for the renewal of the vital Bélabo–Ngaoundéré railway line, a major project set to begin in 2027. By investing in a new generation of drivers now, CAMRAIL aims to ensure service continuity, improve reliability, and strengthen its competitiveness against road transport.
For its partner, Imefac, this collaboration reinforces its status as a regional center for railway training and underscores the growing demand for specialized skills in Cameroon’s transport sector. Furthermore, CAMRAIL is also preparing for the new challenge of transporting bauxite from the Makor station near the Mini Martap mine. The project’s developer, Australia-based Canyon Resources, has announced that first exports could begin in the first half of 2026. While CAMRAIL has experience with bulk goods like petroleum and wood, heavy ores are a new area it will need to master.
By Cynthia Ebot Takang
