Germany partners gov’t to strengthen vocational training.

The first deal is a Tripartite Collaboration Framework formalising the roles and responsibilities of the three ministries in vocational training and professional integration linked to the value chains of agriculture, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture.

The Minister of Agriculture, Gabriel Mbairobe; the Minister of Livestock, Dr Taiga and the Interim Minister Vocational Training, Mounouna Foutsou, signed the deals. 

The second was a Cooperation Agreement signed between the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training and GIZ. 

Minister Mounouna Foutsou signed for Cameroon while GIZ’s Rural Development Sector Coordinator, Cartier Adeline, signed for the German institution.

The Second Secretary, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Germany in Yaounde, Jonathan Gatzer Otto, witnessed the signing. Otto did so on behalf of the Ambassador of Germany to Cameroon, Christian Sedat. 

The two agreements, per officials, fall in line with the Rural Development Support Programme III, PADER III, which focuses on skills development and the integration of accredited training programmes into vocational training centres. 

Otto said the deals are new milestone towards achieving a more modern agriculture and livestock sector and vocational training connected to economic realities with prospects for young people.

Going by Otto, by facilitating enhanced training in the agropastoral sector in Cameroon, Germany is supporting the modernisation of agriculture and food systems in the country.

“Modern agriculture and livestock require young people who are trained in new technologies, producers who can adopt best practices, rural entrepreneurs who can develop economically viable businesses, qualified technicians, and trainers who have the necessary pedagogical and technical skills,” Otto noted. 

He restated that vocational training is at the heart of the partnership. He said the projects fall in line with the fruitful partnership that Germany has with Cameroon. Otto noted that Germany has supported Cameroon’s rural development efforts since 2015. 

Otto added that the assistance is the fruit of the decades old relationship between Germany and Cameroon.

Enter members of government

The three ministers at the event hailed Germany for its consistent support to Cameroon’s development. Minister Mounouna Foutsou said the framework will help the vocational training ministry benefit from the two other ministries in curriculum development.

“…we can take the best of all three of them in order to get better education, strengthen the skills of teachers hopefully driving the economy forward in the agricultural sector for young entrepreneurs and basically everyone in the rural areas,” Mounouna Foutsou said.

Minister Gabriel Mbairobe noted that the agreements fully align with the guidelines of the government’s vision for agriculture and livestock as strategic sectors of the economy.

He training based on the agreements will further strengthen local production, reduce dependence on imports, and promoting “Made in Cameroon” products.

Mbairobe noted that the deal calls for more investment in the interest of young people. “We must ensure that agriculture, livestock processing, and related trades become modern, attractive sectors that create jobs, particularly for women and young people,” Minister Mbairobe added.

Minister Dr Taiga said the agreements reflect a renewed determination to better align developed skills with the actual needs of livestock trades.

He noted that GIZ has supported the development of 12 training frameworks corresponding to key sectors that support growth. Dr Taiga said success will be measured by the implementation and appropriation of what has been agreed.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3913 of Friday September 18, 2026