By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
In a rare campaign appearance just five days before the close of the 2025 presidential election campaign, incumbent President Paul Biya has promised the people of the Far North Region, and all Cameroonians, a revitalized economy and vast new opportunities if re-elected.
Speaking in Maroua on October 7, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) candidate said he came to the region to address their concerns face-to-face and demonstrate his commitment to them.
“I will not rest until significant progress has been achieved in this area,” Biya said, acknowledging that he is aware of the region’s problems and “unfulfilled expectations” that have caused doubt about the future. He vowed he would “never resign” himself to the current situation.
While assuring citizens that substantial efforts are underway, Biya stated that “the best is still to come.”
“We will demonstrate greater inventiveness and ingenuity to facilitate the socio-economic integration and self-entrepreneurship of our young compatriots,” he said. The incumbent pledged to further professionalize training at all levels of education “with a view to better matching training with job market needs.”
Biya promised to optimize existing youth programs, training centers, and business incubators. Simultaneously, he said, “specific financing mechanisms for projects initiated by young people will be developed.” The National Employment Fund will be restructured with this in mind, he added.
“My goal, my dear compatriots, is that every young person, wherever they may be, should have opportunities to easily find a job or become an entrepreneur,” Biya asserted. “No young person, whether or not a certificate holder, will be left behind.”
Biya reiterated a commitment to keep the situation of women and young people at the heart of his concerns during the next seven-year term. “You can be sure of that. I urge you to, once again, kindly lend me your valuable support in this regard.”
The president also focused on infrastructure and energy improvements. Regarding roads, Biya promised a special program to rehabilitate degraded roads and construct new ones, in addition to mentioning existing strategic roads. This program, which he said would receive “substantial financial resources,” is intended to ease movement and “breathe new life into the economy.”
For electricity supply, particularly in the northern regions, Biya promised continued efforts to increase the number of solar power plants and complete the linking of the northern and southern interconnected grids.
He also highlighted plans for innovations in the health, security and other sectors. He however urged militants and Cameroonians to join him in continuing “the great adventure” of building “the united, prosperous, democratic and stable Cameroon they all dream of.”
