Mayo-Danay and the Youth Challenge: Promising Initiatives, High Expectations

MINJEC delegation assesses the real impact of youth project funding under the Special Three-Year Youth Plan (PTS-Jeunes) in Cameroon’s Far North

On Tuesday, June 4, 2025, a government delegation led by His Majesty Abdoulkarim Nassourou, Director of Youth Economic Promotion and National Coordinator of FOGAJEUNE, toured several towns across the Mayo-Danay division in Cameroon’s Far North. Representing the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, and with the help of local prefect Jean Lazare Ndongo Ndongo, the mission’s goal was to assess how public money given to youth-led projects through the Plan Triennal Spécial Jeunes (PTS-Jeunes) is making a real difference in people’s lives.

“We are here to see how the state’s investment is transforming lives, not just on paper but in the daily realities of young people,” said Nassourou during a stop in Yagoua.

Success Stories: Seeds of Hope in Kirsidi and Yagoua

One standout example was found in Kirsidi, where Hara Deo, a young entrepreneur, used a 10-million FCFA grant received in 2019 to establish an integrated agro-pastoral farm. His business includes cattle and pig farming, poultry, and forage production.

“With this support, I’ve been able to build something sustainable,” Deo said. “We produce, we employ, and we contribute to the local economy. This is what youth empowerment should look like.”

In Yagoua, the delegation met Wamalamou Rigobert, the owner of a thriving mechanical welding workshop. With an initial funding of 3 million FCFA—recently renewed—he now employs nine young workers.

“This program gave me a real shot at building a business,” Rigobert noted. “But there are many like me still waiting for their chance.”

High Hopes, Uneven Reach

While these success stories illustrate the potential of the PTS-Jeunes programme, they also expose its current limitations. A significant portion of the youth population in Mayo-Danay still feels left behind, citing the lack of widespread, long-term projects capable of generating substantial income and addressing unemployment.

“We need more than just isolated examples,” said Aissatou, a local youth leader in Yagoua. “Most young people don’t have access to these funds. We need transparency, scale, and follow-up.”

The call for inclusive and impactful youth policies echoed throughout the delegation’s visit. Locals stressed the need for long-term solutions that go beyond pilot projects and focus on job creation, economic autonomy, and sustainable development.

A Call for Greater Inclusion and Measurable Impact

The visit served not only to celebrate entrepreneurial success but also to send a clear message: the expectations of the youth are rising, and they demand results.

“These young people have ideas and energy. What they need is trust, investment, and proper follow-up,” Nassourou emphasized. “Our challenge is to ensure that the state’s support reaches more of them and translates into lasting impact.”

As the government pushes forward with its youth development agenda, the Mayo-Danay visit is a reminder that policy must align with the lived experiences and aspirations of the young population it aims to uplift.

Mimi Mefo Info