Seventy young Cameroonian graduates celebrated a major step in their professional journey this month, receiving certificates from the African Development Bank Group's Work Placement Program for project implementation units.
The ceremony, held at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development in Yaoundé, marked the completion of the program's fifth cohort and brought together government officials, Bank representatives, and special guests in recognition of the graduates' achievements.
Empowering Youth Through Real-World Experience
Launched in 2018, the Work Placement Program is designed to improve the employability of young people by immersing them in Bank-funded development projects across the country. It offers more than traditional internships--participants are actively involved in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, communication, and project management.
The program also builds cross-cutting skills in areas such as economic analysis, gender, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable development, and interpersonal effectiveness.
"The goal is to expose young graduates to real-world working environments and allow them to apply their academic knowledge while developing the skills needed to thrive professionally," explained Solomane Koné, the Bank's Acting Director General for Central Africa.
Stories of Growth and Impact
Graduates of the program shared how the placements transformed their perspectives and deepened their understanding of national development.
Marcelle Epoh, who worked in communications for the Cameroon-Chad Power Grid Interconnection Project, noted:
"This was a fantastic opportunity to gain concrete skills in social safeguards and gender-based violence. I helped make the project's information more accessible to communities, and I saw just how crucial communication is in gaining support for development initiatives."
Rosine Mabaom, speaking on behalf of the cohort, reflected on the program's broader social impact:
"In my placement focusing on gender, I worked to ensure the inclusion of women and vulnerable groups in the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chains Project. During a field mission in the east, we even advocated for sanitary facilities to help girls stay in school--an essential step for inclusion and success."
Adamou Massama, who joined an IT team working on Bank-supported road projects, discovered new dimensions to his skills:
"I realized that digital tools aren't just technical--they can also strengthen infrastructure efficiency and impact."
Looking Ahead: Long-Term Commitment and Innovation
With over 354 graduates trained since its inception, the program has become a vital launchpad for young professionals in Cameroon. Many go on to pursue careers in public service, development, or the private sector.
To strengthen long-term impact, the Bank announced the launch of a dedicated digital platform to track the progress of program alumni, provide ongoing support, and improve access to job opportunities both in Cameroon and across Africa.
"This platform reflects our shared commitment to making every placement a gateway to long-term impact--for the youth, and for development in Cameroon," said the Deputy Minister of the Economy, Planning and Territorial Development.
Aligning with National and Continental Goals
The program directly supports the Bank's Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa (SEPA) Action Plan 2022-2025, and aligns with Cameroon's National Development Strategy 2020-2030. Both strategies emphasize youth employment and social integration as cornerstones of inclusive, sustainable growth.
"Well-trained, well-supervised youth--embedded in national development efforts--are a powerful force for transforming the continent," said Acting Director General Kone.
