Cameroun’s 2025 job market: progress meets persistent gaps
In 2025, Cameroun added 197,356 new jobs, according to the National Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training (ONEFOP), yet this milestone remains well below the government’s ambitious 300,000-job annual target. This figure marks a modest increase of 6,151 jobs—equivalent to 3.2%—compared to the 191,205 jobs recorded in 2024. For context, 2023 saw 209,823 new jobs, as reported by the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP).
Sectoral breakdown: where jobs were created
The tertiary sector dominated job creation in 2025, accounting for 87,124 new positions (44.1%). The secondary sector followed with 78,783 jobs, while the primary sector contributed 31,449, according to official records.
Government initiatives and policy commitments
Job creation remains a cornerstone of Cameroun’s economic agenda. In his 2025 New Year address, President Paul Biya highlighted initiatives such as a new tile manufacturing plant in Bipaga, projected to generate over 2,500 direct jobs, alongside a five-year plan to recruit 9,944 healthcare workers. During his November 2025 inauguration, he also unveiled a youth employment strategy, featuring incentives for businesses hiring young people and public investment projects designed to boost labor-intensive industries.
Defining “employment” in Cameroun’s statistics
The government’s employment figures encompass a broad range of job opportunities, including those tied to public investment budgets, private enterprises, cooperatives, and various programs. For instance, in 2021, authorities reported 358,247 jobs created. Breaking this down, 230,065 positions (64.2%) stemmed from public investment projects under the Public Investment Budget (BIP), while private companies contributed 81,163 jobs (22.6%). The remainder originated from public administration, cooperatives, NGOs, local authorities, and integration programs.
Critics argue that these statistics often include temporary or project-based roles that may vanish once funding ends, rather than permanent, sustainable employment. Official data reveals a notable decline in 2024, with 191,205 jobs, before a slight recovery to 197,356 in 2025. The 2026 figures are expected to be released in 2027 or during President Biya’s year-end address.
Balancing ambition with reality
While the government continues to emphasize job creation as a priority, the gap between targets and actual outcomes highlights ongoing challenges in Cameroun’s labor market. The discrepancy underscores the need for policies that not only stimulate short-term opportunities but also foster long-term, stable employment across all sectors.
