Far North: UNDP, Saudi Arabia… launch project to empower IDPs, youth in Kolofata.

The project was launched in Yaounde Thursday. It is titled: “Empowering IDPs and youth through vocational training and livelihoods support in the Far North Region of Cameroon”. 

It was launched by a representative of the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Smith Enow Arrey.

Officials who witnessed the launch included; a representative of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Cameroon, Omar Alharthi, UNDP Resident Representative, Mathieu Ciowela, and KSrelief’s Project Manager Supervisor at the Community Support Department, Yasser Al-Shehri, and the Mayor of Kolofata, Colonel Boukar Satomi.

Authorities said the project which is financed by KSrelief will be implemented by the UNDP in 12 months. The financial package of the project was disclosed at 601,528 United States Dollars, approximately 338 million FCFA.

It was also stated that the programme is designed for 350 direct beneficiaries and 2,100 indirect beneficiaries. They said the scheme seeks to promote sustainable livelihoods opportunities, youth employability and entrepreneurship.

Focus, they added, will be on vocational training especially in fields such as tailoring, carpentry, mechanics, welding, and food processing.

Attention on renewable energy skills, officials stated, will center on training 50 youth in solar energy system installations and maintenance. 

This, will be in addition to the development of hydraulic infrastructure like boreholes among others. UNDP and its partners stated that upon execution, at least 70% of the youth and women trained will be engaged in income-generating activities.

Access to clean energy, it was added, will be enhanced through the sustainability of community infrastructure such as solar installations and boreholes, project officials noted.

The investments, they went on, will be maintained by trained local technicians while economic growth in Kolofata will be stimulated through the establishing and integration of 20 new businesses.

Ideal initiative for Kolofata 

UNDP Resident Representative, Mathieu Ciowela, said the project will change the narrative of Kolofata Subdivision as one of the most fragile and vulnerable localities in Cameroon.

Ciowela cited the high rate of underemployment in the locality which he said stands at 92.7%, up from the national average of 77%. He added to it underemployment among females at 96.5%.

He said the project “…fits perfectly within the vision of sustainable development and aligns with the priority axes of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030”.

Beyond Kolofata, he said, other localities in the Far North will also benefit.

Enter Kolofata mayor 

The Mayor of Kolofata, Colonel Boukar Satomi, expressed gratitude to the UNDP, the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and other partners and institutions supporting the project.

He said the project brings hope to the people of Kolofata who have since 2014, been virtually cut off from Cameroon owing to Boko Haram attacks.

“It is a pleasant surprise. We will do everything possible to ensure that the project succeeds so that it may serve as an example for other localities as well,” the mayor stated.

Strengthening Saudi-Cameroon partnership

The representative of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Cameroon, Omar Alharthi, said the project falls in line with his country’s win-win collaboration with Cameroon.

Omar also stated that it adds to some 54 projects in Cameroon that have received support on from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He cited fields such as education, general humanitarian aid, food security and health.

“We hope that this project achieves its expected results and delivers the social, economic, and social cohesion impact it seeks within Cameroonian society,” Omar said.

Gov’t says project decisive

On behalf of government, Smith Enow Arrey, who represented the Minister of the economy hailed the scheme as a decisive project for Cameroon 

He thanked Saudi Arabia, adding that: “…I hope to see further involvement of the Kingdom in large-scale projects capable of fostering the recovery of our country's economic growth”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3675 of Friday January 16, 2026