Cameroon has moved to formally integrate youth voices into its emerging national migration policy, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said at the inaugural Permanent African Dialogue (PAD) held on April 28 in Yaoundé.
According to the IOM, the authorities used the event as a structured consultation platform to incorporate youth perspectives into policy design.
“Cameroon has taken an important decision to develop a national policy to manage migration. We cannot imagine such a policy without the voice of young people,” said Abdel Rahmane Diop, IOM Chief of Mission in Cameroon.
The dialogue, organised by the International Council for Dialogue and Partnership (CIDP) under the theme “Youth and Migration: Structuring and Sustainably Financing African Youth Systems,” brought together more than 400 participants from public institutions, civil society, academia and the private sector, with support from the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education and the IOM.
Organisers framed the initiative against Africa’s demographic dynamics, noting that more than 60% of the continent’s population is under 25, a share expected to account for nearly 42% of global youth by 2030, according to IOM data cited at the event.
“The continent must scale up and better structure financial flows toward youth systems capable of absorbing and developing its talent. Migration will be our first focus,” said CIDP coordinator Dr Hermes Nkwa.
Policy outputs and next steps
The dialogue produced three main deliverables: a Yaoundé Declaration presented by youth delegates, a White Paper outlining recommendations on migration policy and youth financing, and a roadmap for implementation at national and international levels.
Organisers said these recommendations would be submitted to upcoming platforms, including the Africa-France Summit and the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The PAD is intended to operate as an annual platform, with organisers committing to track progress on recommendations between editions.
Representing the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Secretary General Zachée Robert Théophile Benga said the government had already drafted a youth plan with support from the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). He added that a revised National Youth Policy is structured around five priorities: education and training, employment, health, wellbeing and participation.
“Our success will depend on our capacity to transform commitments into concrete public policies,” Benga said.
The event closed with the signing of a charter of understanding by participating stakeholders, including youth representatives.
Mercy Fosoh
