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Young people aged 18 to 35 represent 57% of the labor force in Cameroon¡ªbut many struggle to find work. With rapid population growth and urbanization, the need for better employment opportunities is urgent. The United Nations forecasts that by 2050, 70% of Cameroon¡¯s population will live in urban areas. While this presents a chance to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend, it also raises the risk of deepening poverty and exclusion if jobs do not keep pace.

To meet this challenge, Cameroon is implementing a dual-track approach to youth employment through the Adaptive Safety Nets and Economic Inclusion Project, supported by the World Bank. Two innovative programs under this project - the Business Plan Competition (BPC) and the Economic Inclusion of Youth (EIY) - are helping to unlock opportunity for thousands of young people in the country¡¯s main cities.

Catalyzing Job Creation for Young Entrepreneurs

The Business Plan Competition (BPC) program targets emerging entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their businesses. It provides grants of $10,000 to $20,000, alongside coaching and support for formalization. With a focus on high-growth sectors and women-led enterprises, the program is supporting 2,000 young business owners¡ªwith the potential for a ripple effect in job creation.

BPC beneficiaries like Francoise face real constraints¡ªfrom accessing finance to registering their businesses. Many operate informally and lack the collateral or credit history required by banks. By helping them overcome these barriers, the program opens the door to greater productivity and sustainability.

This kind of support doesn¡¯t just help individuals¡ªit enables them to grow enterprises that employ others. By the end of the 24-month implementation period, the program aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial capacity of young business owners and inspire a new generation of youth entrepreneurs across Cameroon.

Creating Pathways to Jobs and Economic Inclusion

Not everyone can grow a large business. For most of the youth¡ªthose with limited resources and few formal job prospects¡ªcreating their own job is often the most viable path. The Economic Inclusion of Youth (EIY) program responds to this need by targeting 65,000 unemployed urban youth with a bundled package of basic business training, coaching, and a $500 grant, helping them launch or grow micro-enterprises. Beyond income, EIY helps young people build self-confidence, resilience, and a future vision¡ªproviding a crucial entry point to the labor market.

Complementary Programs, Shared Vision

Together, the two programs illustrate a vision for more and better jobs, supporting youth at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. BPC helps promising businesses scale and create formal jobs, while EYI helps those who are just starting out to get onto the first rung of the jobs ladder. Both are essential for a dynamic labor market and a more inclusive economy.

Jobs are central to development, as they build self-reliant economies, reduce fragility and migration pressures, and create demand for local goods and services. The two programs in Cameroon speak directly to this vision¡ªchanneling public resources to crowd in private initiative and giving youth the tools to succeed in their own communities.