Cameroon’s 2025 job market: progress meets persistent challenges
The Cameroon labour market added 197,356 new jobs in 2025, according to the latest report from the National Observatory of Employment and Vocational Training (ONEFOP). While this marks a year-on-year increase of 6,151 positions—a 3.2% rise from the 191,205 jobs registered in 2024—it falls significantly short of the government’s ambitious target of 300,000 jobs annually.
In 2023, the total stood at 209,823 jobs, as reported by the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training. The tertiary sector dominated job creation in 2025, accounting for 87,124 positions (44.1%), followed by the secondary sector with 78,783 jobs and the primary sector with 31,449.
Government initiatives driving job growth
Job creation remains a cornerstone of Cameroon’s economic agenda, with President Paul Biya highlighting key achievements in his 2025 New Year address. Among them was the launch of a new tile manufacturing plant in Bipaga, expected to generate over 2,500 direct jobs. Additionally, a five-year plan aims to recruit 9,944 healthcare workers to strengthen the country’s medical workforce.
During his November 2025 inauguration, President Biya also unveiled a special youth employment initiative. This includes financial incentives for businesses that hire young people and public investment projects designed to maximise labour absorption.
How is an ‘employment’ defined in Cameroon?
The government’s employment statistics encompass a broad range of job opportunities, including those generated by public investment programmes, private enterprises, cooperatives, and social programmes. For instance, in 2021, the government reported 358,247 new jobs. Of these, 230,065 (64.2%) stemmed from public investment projects, while private companies contributed 81,163 jobs (22.6%). The remaining roles came from public administration, cooperatives, NGOs, local authorities, and insertion programmes.
Understanding the gap between targets and reality
While the figures reflect the government’s commitment to fostering employment, they also reveal a persistent mismatch between policy ambitions and actual results. Many of the reported jobs are temporary or project-based, often disappearing once funding ends. This explains the fluctuations in annual job creation: 209,823 jobs in 2023, 191,205 in 2024, and 197,356 in 2025.
The official employment data for 2026 is expected to be released in 2027 or during President Biya’s end-of-year address, providing further insights into the country’s evolving labour landscape.
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