On July 14, 2026, Yaoundé hosted the mid‑term review of the African Development Bank's (AfDB) Country Strategy Document (CSD 2023‑2028). Co‑chaired by the Minister of Economy, Planning and Territorial Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the AfDB's Director‑General for Central Africa, Léandre Bassolé, the meeting placed the acceleration of funded project execution and the creation of jobs for Cameroonian youth at the heart of the debate.
The partnership now comprises 28 active operations, amounting to more than 1 629.2 billion CFA francs in commitments. These projects, ranging from roads to energy networks, are meant to form the backbone of inclusive growth, but their implementation is hampered by a global disbursement rate of 26 %, according to figures presented at the meeting.
This low disbursement rate reflects administrative and financial obstacles that slow the release of funds. The government therefore called for a swift removal of these blockages, to turn financial commitments into tangible results on the ground. Each month of delay represents lost employment opportunities for thousands of young people seeking stability.
Mounouna Foutsou, the interim Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, emphasized that every major infrastructure project must systematically incorporate a component of training and professional integration. “Investments must become levers of inclusion, not just construction sites,” he said, reminding that market‑aligned training is key to turning worksites into lasting jobs.
This direction has received support from the main sectoral ministries involved, reflecting a governmental will to make the partnership with the AfDB a driver of social transformation. By aligning infrastructure projects with training programmes, the country hopes to create direct construction jobs and indirect jobs in ancillary services, thereby stimulating local consumption.
For Cameroonian youth, the realization of these commitments means more pathways to professional integration, certified skills and stable incomes. Beyond the immediate impact, such a dynamic could lower the unemployment rate among 15‑35‑year‑olds, ease social tensions and strengthen confidence in public and financial institutions.
The future now hinges on the government's ability to implement simplified procedures, rigorously monitor disbursements and ensure the quality of training. Transparent monitoring and close coordination with the AfDB will be essential to turn the 1 629.2 billion CFA francs pledged into engines of inclusive growth, offering Cameroon a development model where every project becomes an opportunity for the youth.
