(Business in Cameroon) – Employment and entrepreneurship have been central to Cameroon’s public policies from 2018 to 2025. With a young population making up over 60% of the total, the government has implemented a multifaceted strategy to create job opportunities and boost business initiatives, particularly for youth and women.
The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVA), launched in December 2016 and fully deployed starting in 2018, was a cornerstone of this professional integration policy. As of March 2025, the project had incubated 1,770 young people and supported the creation of 712 businesses, surpassing its initial target of 1,536 trained youth. The results show young Cameroonians’ strong interest in agricultural entrepreneurship and the effectiveness of the support systems.
As of March 2025, the project had incubated 1,770 young people and supported the creation of 712 businesses, surpassing its initial target of 1,536 trained youth. The results show young Cameroonians’ strong interest in agricultural entrepreneurship and the effectiveness of the support systems.
These initiatives are part of a broader vision to modernize agriculture, a sector that still employs a significant portion of the country’s workforce. The Agritech Innovation Challenge, initiated in February 2025, exemplifies this innovative approach to job creation. The initiative aims to build a favorable ecosystem for new agricultural technologies, support young entrepreneurs, and accelerate the sector’s digital transformation.
In the industrial sector, major infrastructure projects between 2018 and 2025 generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The construction of the Nachtigal hydroelectric dam, the modernization of the Port of Kribi, and numerous road infrastructure projects have mobilized a significant workforce, helping to reduce unemployment in the project areas.
The private sector also received enhanced support through the Supporting Operation to the Private Sector of Cameroon (OSSP-CMR). According to official data, more than 200 companies received direct support in 2024, with assistance including equipment, supplies, certifications, and credit lines. The aid helped consolidate existing jobs and create new ones, particularly in sectors like agriculture, livestock, fishing, agribusiness, and digital technology.
Women have been a specific focus of the employment and entrepreneurship policy since 2018. Key projects like the PDCVA explicitly targeted job creation for youth and women, recognizing their crucial role in the country’s economic development. With nearly 40% of the 1,770 direct jobs created by women, this inclusive approach has begun to reduce gender inequalities in economic opportunities.
The development of the digital sector has opened new job prospects, particularly for young graduates. The deployment of 10,000 to 18,000 km of fiber optic cables since 2018 has created an ecosystem ripe for the emergence of startups and tech companies. This digital infrastructure has also facilitated the growth of remote work and digital services, creating new types of jobs suited to the modern economy.
Special measures were also introduced to boost employment and entrepreneurship in economic disaster areas. In the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North, designated as Economically Distressed Zones (ZES), special tax incentives are in place for new investments. Companies in these areas are granted total tax exemptions for three years during installation and corporate tax exemptions for seven years once they begin operations.
Despite these sustained efforts since 2018, challenges persist. Youth unemployment remains a concern for authorities, and the informal economy continues to absorb a significant portion of the workforce. The need to strengthen vocational and technical training to align skills with labor market needs remains a major challenge for the period after 2025.
The need to strengthen vocational and technical training to align skills with labor market needs remains a major challenge for the period after 2025.
Female entrepreneurship grew between 2018 and 2025, but it still needs stronger support to overcome cultural and financial barriers. Expanding microcredit and technical assistance programs would allow more women to launch and grow their businesses, thereby solidifying the economic progress made during this period of transformation.
