The Government of Cameroon has recently engaged Huawei to transfer information and communications technology (ICT) skills to young Cameroonians, positioning digital training as a pathway to jobs and productivity across the economy. The partnership, agreed between the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP) and Huawei, places technology transfer at the centre of national youth employability efforts and links skills development to labour market demand.
The programme is structured over five years and focuses on large-scale ICT training, certification and learning infrastructure. Huawei will provide intensive training for young people and instructors, establish a dedicated certification centre, widen access to advanced technologies including 5G, and deploy smart classrooms, e-learning platforms and e-campuses. The initiative aligns with the government’s Special Youth Employment Plan and delivery channels such as “One Youth, One Skill, One Job” and ICT caravans. With young people accounting for about 66 per cent of the population, the approach is designed to scale skills and improve job readiness through recognised qualifications.
During the engagement in Yaounde, the interim Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Mounouna Foutsou, said the partnership places the transfer of ICT skills at the heart of national priorities for youth integration, while Huawei CEMAC Chief Executive Officer Olylia Wanglei outlined the company’s contribution through training, certification and technology access, drawing on its two decades of operations in Cameroon and global presence.
Implementation will prioritise key training hubs and regional access to ensure economic spillovers. Targeted centres include the Professional Training Centres in Sangmélima, Douala and Limbe, as well as the School of Posts and Telecommunications. Huawei has proposed linkages with the National Skills Competition to host ICT challenges and deploy e-learning solutions tailored for rural areas, extending access beyond major cities.
A binding convention is being prepared under MINEFOP’s vocational training and legal departments, with a formal milestone expected during Huawei Cameroon’s 20th anniversary. The expected outcomes include thousands of ICT certifications, a more job-ready workforce for firms adopting digital tools, and broader participation in the digital economy through skills diffusion nationwide.
Mercy Fosoh
