Our Day, Our Voice: Cameroon Celebrates the 20th Edition of African Youth Day

On Friday 30 October 2026, young people from across Cameroon gathered at the Conviviality Hall of the National Museum in Yaoundé for the 20th Edition of African Youth Day (JAJ). The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) and chaired by the Minister, H.E. Mounouna Foutsou. Youth leaders, MINJEC officials, representatives of CEMAC and of the African Union in Cameroon, members of the Government and other invited guests joined us. Cameroonian youth were honoured for their excellence in their fields of competence.

The day was held as an experience-sharing meeting with leaders of youth associative movements, under the theme Agenda 2063 of the African Union: Challenges and Prospects for Cameroon's Development.

Behind the celebration

The celebration was organized by the Directorate of Associative Life and Youth Participation (DIVAPJ) of MINJEC, led by its Director, Mrs Rahmatou Moluh, with its teams and the support of the CNYC through its Centre Regional Executive Bureau. The overall theme was Promoting African youth as actors of an integrated, prosperous and sustainable continent, with a focus on youth leadership, civic participation, associative engagement and socio-economic empowerment.

A warm welcome and a message from the CNYC

The ceremony opened with the arrival of the youth, the Minister and the guests, then everyone sang the National Anthem. The Mayor of Yaoundé III, Lucas Owona, was represented by their deputy. The deputy welcomed the authorities, the representatives of partner institutions and the young participants. The speech praised a celebration that puts young people in the spotlight and stressed how much our commitment matters to local and national development.

The President of the National Executive Bureau of the National Youth Council of Cameroon (CNYC), represented by the CNYC Departmental President for Mfoundi, then spoke for us. She described young people as the numerical strength and backbone of Africa. She stressed our role in building an inclusive society, our civic participation, and the need for us to be more involved in the public policies meant for us. She addressed youth unemployment and said the government is prioritizing youth entrepreneurship by supporting viable business ideas. She announced that the CNYC has validated its Strategic Plan 2026–2027 to support youth development. She thanked the Head of State for his commitment to youth empowerment, mentioning the "Approche Jeune" project. Her call to Cameroonian youth was clear: work together, propose solutions, get organized, build our skills, believe in our potential, choose an Africa where talents flourish, and say no to unethical and dangerous shortcuts to success.

Honouring young talent

The ceremony went on with the presentation of prizes to young people who stand out through their initiatives, performances and contributions to development. Dr José KUN IV, Assistant Pedagogy Inspector and National Coordinator of PIFMAS, introduced this segment, which highlighted the excellence, innovation and civic engagement of Cameroonian youth.

Awards were given for making sports items and equipment. A video presented outstanding young talents in Cameroon, who then received Certificates of Excellence from the Minister. The artistic part of the day included a spoken word performance by young talent Victoire Ntedé, a performance in oratory art, and a dance by the Akat Twins.

The Minister's address

In his official address, Minister Mounouna Foutsou spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing young people, the importance of our civic engagement, and the need to strengthen our part in national and continental development. He stressed that Cameroonian youth must take effective, active and civic participation. He urged us to work together, stand in solidarity, avoid conflict and cultivate peace in our communities.

He spoke on excellence, encouraging us to build resilience and keep a fighting spirit. He thanked the representatives of the Presidency and the African Union, saying their presence symbolizes unity, and commended the CNYC President for her commitment and constructive work. For him, the challenge is not only to recognize the role of youth but to create an enabling environment where we can contribute to national development. To make young people true stakeholders, he mentioned the adoption of the 2026–2027 Action Plan and announced a youth allocation plan of 50 million FCFA to support young people. He then declared the celebration of the 20th Edition of African Youth Day in Cameroon officially closed.

Why this day matters

African Youth Day comes from the African Youth Charter, adopted at the African Union Executive Council Summit in Banjul, Gambia, in 2006. It is celebrated every year on 1 November. It is a continental moment to recognize youth as a driving force for Africa's social transformation, economic growth and sustainable development, and a chance for African Union member states to renew their commitment to young people's rights and participation in public life.

It is also a time to take stock of the commitments made to us, such as the Charter, the Youth Decade Plan of Action and the continental TVET strategy. These cover education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship, governance, peace, security, health, rights, agriculture and the environment. It matters even more in Cameroon, where those aged 15 to 35 make up 36.9% of the population.

At home, the Government, through MINJEC, has put in place the CNYC, the Youth Parliament, the Municipal and Regional Youth Councils (CMJ/CRJ) and the Youth Promotion Partners Platform. These are guided by the revised National Youth Policy and the Youth Plan 2025–2035. MINJEC also recognizes that the associative movement needs to be revitalized and that young people need to take a more effective part in decision-making.

This celebration was therefore more than a commemoration. It was a call to mobilize us, give us responsibility, and recognize us as an essential partner in nation-building and African integration.

The day ended in a spirit of celebration and with a renewed commitment to youth empowerment.