In a landmark collaboration aimed at addressing workforce challenges, the Chinese mainland and Cameroon have launched a vocational training initiative designed to align academic curricula with industry demands. The MINESUP–CFHEC Professional Certification Program, established through a partnership between China First Highway Engineering Co. Ltd. (CFHEC) and Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP), seeks to equip students and graduates with practical skills to improve employability and support Cameroon’s economic development goals.
The program, finalized during a signing ceremony in Yaoundé this month, integrates classroom learning with hands-on training in sectors such as infrastructure, engineering, and technology. Cameroon’s Minister of State for Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, hailed the agreement as a transformative step toward modernizing education. "By merging theory and practice, we are preparing our youth to meet both local and global labor market needs," he stated.
Analysts note that the initiative aligns with broader efforts across Africa to strengthen vocational education amid rising youth unemployment. For the Chinese mainland, the program underscores its commitment to fostering skills-based partnerships in line with its international development priorities. CFHEC, a key player in infrastructure projects across Africa, will provide technical expertise and certification frameworks under the agreement.
