The Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, has assured young people in the country of his ongoing dedication to their welfare, employment, and future prospects. This assurance was conveyed in his message on Youth Day, February 10, 2026, ahead of the National Youth Day celebration.
President Biya also reiterated his commitment to improving the educational sector to help young individuals not only secure jobs but also create their own opportunities. He emphasized that reliance on public sector recruitment alone is insufficient to address youth unemployment, hence the focus on entrepreneurship.
In his traditional message, he described Youth Day as an important occasion to address the challenges and prospects facing young people today. He acknowledged their difficulties, frustrations, fears, and hopes, while also recognizing their legitimate aspirations.He expressed his awareness of the concerns of young Cameroonians and highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to address these issues. He affirmed that youth have always been, and will continue to be, central to his action plans. Following his recent re-election, he expressed gratitude for the critical support that young people provided during the election, noting that their backing was pivotal and showed their confidence in his vision for society.
A significant part of his address focused on youth employment, acknowledging the hardships many face in finding jobs and achieving their goals. He urged them to remain optimistic and entrepreneurial, cautioning against despair and risky choices.The president announced that integrating youth into the labor market would be a primary focus of his current seven-year agenda. He highlighted the recently introduced Special Youth Employment Promotion Plan, which aims to foster collaboration among the government, private sector, and society to enhance job creation. This plan includes tax breaks for companies hiring young graduates, a provision of 50 billion FCFA to support youth entrepreneurship, increased funding for the National Employment Fund, and the integration of youth into government finance programs.
He also reminded the youth of their responsibilities to their families and the nation, urging them to avoid delinquency, drug use, irresponsible behavior, and excessive social media engagement. Additionally, he called on parents and educators to fulfill their roles and announced strong measures to protect young girls from harassment and abuse in educational and professional settings.
