Far North: AfDB allocates over 89 billion FCFA for skills, entrepreneurship dev’t.

The programme is titled: “Building Capacities and Skills for Employability and Entrepreneurship in the Far North Region of Cameroon”, CAP2E.

The Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari, and representatives of the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, attended the event. 

Other attendees included; Mouhamed Gueye, Head of the Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Division, at AfDB in Central Africa; Haman-Djallo, President of the Far North Regional Council and the City Mayor of Maroua, Sali Babani among other officials 

They said CAP2E focuses on three areas of intervention: strengthening the supply of technical and vocational training, supporting economic development and entrepreneurship, and upgrading basic social infrastructure. 

Governor Midjiyawa told reporers that: “The programme aims to provide concrete solutions to major challenges: high youth unemployment, a mismatch between training and market needs, persistent socioeconomic fragility, inadequate infrastructure, and high vulnerability to the effects of climate change”.

In terms of training, he said the scheme provides for the construction and equipping of 22 technical, technological and vocational centres, to improve learning conditions for nearly 30,000 young people.

The administrator stated that, there is an increase enrolment of 6,000 learners, 40 percent of whom are girls. 

The Governor added that, the programme will also finance the construction of 10 public and commercial facilities for private operators and technical support for 1,400 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs. 

He added that, through the programme, 15 hospitals, 10 schools and four health centres, based on a gender-responsive and climate-resilient approach will be improved upon.

AfDB officials on their part described the programme as an unprecedented financing mechanism, that complements traditional investment projects and budget support operations.

Mouhamed Gueye, in charge of human capital, youth and skills development at the AfDB in Central Africa remarked that: “Results-based financing is based on a strengthened partnership between the Bank and the Government, based on performance and verifiable results”.

Gueye noted that “it improves the efficiency of public spending by linking debt to actual achievements, while promoting multi-donor coordination around a common results framework”. 

He stated that by 2029, CAP2E aims for an 80 percent workplace integration rate among trained graduates, as well as the creation of 5,000 jobs. 

Implementation, Gueye noted, it will be implemented through the Special Programme for the Reconstruction and Development of the Far North Region, PSRDREN.

Programme Coordinator, Alhadji Magra Massaou, described the initiative as “a lever for transformation, an instrument of resilience”.

Magra stated that a joint delegation from the AfDB also conducted site visits to training institutions to be supported under the programme.

Officials said it seeks to create sustainable and inclusive jobs by strengthening human capital, stimulating local economic activity, and improving basic social infrastructure.

AfDB, officials explained, is funding the CAP2E programme is being implemented for the first time in Cameroon and the Central Africa Sub Region, through the Results-Based Financing, RBF, mechanism.

Funds disbursements, speakers stated, will be tied to the verified achievement of predefined objectives. They said the project will last 2030.

The article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3729 of Thursday March 12, 2026