PEAC, the CFA42.5 billion programme designed to strengthen workforce skills, support entrepreneurship and supply qualified labour to strategic industries has officially entered its implementation phase. Government officials and development partners launched the technical phase of the project in Yaounde on June 1.
The five-year initiative, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to modernise professional training systems, improve employability among young people and women, and support the country’s industrialisation agenda through targeted investments in training infrastructure, business incubation and job placement schemes.
The technical launch workshop was held at the National Centre for Training of Trainers and Programme Development (CNFFDP) and brought together representatives of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP), the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), and the African Development Bank.
Opening the event on behalf of the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, MINEFOP Secretary General Forchap Esandem Prudence Nkong said the project aligns with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30), particularly in strengthening human capital, promoting decent jobs and supporting industrial growth.
Infrastructure investment for industrial skills
According to the project roadmap presented by National Coordinator Dr Sadou Hamadou Adama, PEAC will focus on expanding training capacity in sectors linked to industrial development and emerging economic opportunities. The programme includes the construction and equipment of three specialised vocational training centres in Akonolinga, Kousseri and Kribi.
The Akonolinga centre will focus on construction and green jobs, while the Kousseri facility will specialise in transport, heavy machinery and renewable energy. The Kribi centre will train workers for the blue economy and maritime professions linked to port and coastal activities. The project will also finance the construction of a vocational skills village in Soa and establish a National Certification and Qualification Centre in Yaounde to strengthen skills assessment and certification systems. In addition, 11 public and private training institutions will be rehabilitated and equipped, while approximately 20 new training standards and reference guides will be developed.
Employment and enterprise targets
A significant share of the investment is directed towards employment creation and entrepreneurship development. Project targets include workplace placements for 1,500 final-year students and the professional integration of 500 first-time job seekers. The programme also plans to retrain 400 instructors and certify 400 professionals through the Recognition of Prior Learning system.
To support business creation, PEAC will incubate 1,225 young entrepreneurs through nine incubation centres across the country. Approximately 1,000 start-ups and entrepreneurial projects are expected to receive direct financial support. The initiative also includes a dedicated green economy component, with financing earmarked for 500 environmentally focused projects led exclusively by women.
Beyond employment and entrepreneurship, the programme plans to conduct awareness campaigns reaching 9,000 young people on sexual and reproductive health issues and the prevention of gender-based violence.
According to MINEFOP, project stakeholders are reviewing procurement procedures, financial management and disbursement mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and the 2026 Annual Work Plan and Budget (PTBA 2026). The stated objective is to establish transparent, results-oriented governance structures in order to convert the 42.5 billion CFA francs commitment into measurable on-the-ground impact before the year's end.
Mercy Fosoh