MINESEC Kicks Off Online Classes For 2026–2027 School Year

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Online classes for the 2026–2027 school year organized by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Distance Learning of the Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) have begun. According to a press release issued by the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Nalova Lyonga, the online classes started on Monday, September 14.

The Minister explained that the initiative is intended to ensure parity in teaching coverage for all secondary school students across the country and to help learners stay adequately prepared for their academic progression, despite any interruptions.

“These lessons cover core subjects for both the General and Technical Education streams. Learners are therefore encouraged to make full use of this educational opportunity and to participate regularly and diligently in the online lessons made available by the Ministry,” the Minister stated in the press release.

Prof. Nalova Lyonga also called on parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators to provide the necessary support and to contribute actively to the effective implementation of this national initiative.

To access the lessons through a web browser, students are advised to visit https://distance-learning.minesec.gov.cm or https://minesec.schoolfaqs.net. For those using a smartphone or tablet, they can download the official app from the Google Play Store by searching for “MINESEC DLC,” install it on their device, and follow the “Live” lessons.

IsDB Group Reaffirms Strategic Commitment To Cameroon

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) has promised to deliver a more holistic, programmatic package of financial support to Cameroon as part of a new strategy designed to boost the country’s economic growth, human capital, and infrastructure over the next three years.

**Officials during the opening ceremony of the the IsDB Group Day in Cameroon** (Photo; Mainimo Etienne)

The commitment was made in Yaoundé during the opening ceremony of the first IsDB Group Day in Cameroon, chaired by Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute on behalf of President Paul Biya. Vice-President of the IsDB Group, Dr. Rami Ahmad, as well as Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey, Governor of the IsDB Group for Cameroon also attended.

The high-level gathering brought together more than 500 senior government officials, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and international development partners to explore new avenues for investment and advance private-sector-led growth across the region.

Opening the event, Prime Minister Dion Ngute highlighted the deep historical relationship between the nation and the multilateral institution, noting that the bank’s active portfolio of interventions in Cameroon currently stands at nearly FCFA 2,000 billion.

He stated that these investments have provided crucial funding for primary drivers of social and economic development, particularly in agriculture, energy, transport infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

**Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice-President of the IsDB Group speaking during a press conference after the opening ceremony** *(Photo; Mainimo Etienne)*

“For the first time, Cameroon and the IsDB will jointly develop a specific strategy document to define, in a coordinated manner, the priorities that will guide their partnership over the next three years,” Prime Minister Dion Ngute said, referring to the upcoming 2027–2029 Country Engagement Framework.

He added that the Cameroonian government is determined to ensure the new framework remains ambitious, inclusive, and sharply focused on measurable results. According to the Prime Minister, the strategy will emphasize local industrialization, raw material processing, food security, job creation for young people, and the economic empowerment of women.

The gathering also witness a formal exchange of new financing agreements and letters of intent worth 137 million euros between the IsDB Group, the Cameroonian government, and local private sector financial partners. Since establishing its presence in the country, the IsDB Group has approved a cumulative total of 4.2 billion dollars in funding for the Central African nation.

Dr Rami Ahmad stressed that the event went beyond ceremony to serve as an operational review of shared goals. He reaffirmed the bank’s determination to support member states despite an increasingly difficult global landscape marked by economic volatility, climate change, food insecurity, and persistent geopolitical tensions.

**Vice-President of the IsDB Group, Dr. Rami Ahmad, and Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey, Governor of the IsDB Group for Cameroon also penning down a financial agreement during the opening ceremony** *(Photo; Mainimo Etienne)*

“Our focus remains steadfast: eradicating poverty, strengthening human capital, promoting sustainable growth and enhancing resilience,” Dr Ahmad said, emphasizing that the institution operates under the unified principle of “one group, one goal” to foster economic and social progress in line with Islamic finance principles.

Looking ahead, he explained that the IsDB Group is preparing to deliver enhanced support through the 2027–2029 Country Engagement Framework, to be developed at the intersection of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (SND30) and the IsDB Group’s newly launched 10-year Strategic Framework.

“This trusted partner of Cameroon, driven by the values of solidarity, the preservation of human dignity, and the promotion of shared prosperity, is poised to play a role commensurate with the quality of its historic ties with Cameroon.” Alamine Ousmane Mey noted that the aim will be to work together to strengthen harmony, peace, stability, prosperity, and the well-being of the population.

**Officials posed for a family picture after the opening ceremony** (Photo: MINEPAT)

Alongside other activities, a series of panel sessions, bilateral meetings, and success-story showcases examined practical ways to expand green infrastructure, strengthen public-private partnerships, and improve credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

IsDB Group Day in Cameroon: Islamic Development Bank Seals Major Development, Infrastructure Deals With Cameroon

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon and the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) have sealed several financing agreements and letters of intent geared at improving development and Infrastructure in the country. The deals were sealed on September 14 in Yaounde on the sidelines of first edition of the IsDB Group Day in Cameroon. The bank group day in Cameroon was chaired by Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute personal representative of the Head of State.

The signing agreement opened new prospects for agriculture, the private sector and infrastructure development in the country.

Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and IsDB Group Vice President for Operations, Dr. Rami Ahmad signed a financing agreement worth 41.92 million euros, (about FCFA 27.4 billion), for the Dja Integrated Rural Development Project (PDRI-Dja).

The project aims to strengthen agro-pastoral value chains and promote sustainable crop and livestock production to improve food security and economic growth. It focuses on the production, processing and marketing of plantains, cassava, maize, fish and poultry.

Particular attention will be paid to young farmers and agricultural operators through access to appropriate agricultural resources, technical support and employment opportunities.

The event also produced results for private sector financing, with nearly $100 million, (FCFA 65 billion), allocated to strengthen the banking system’s lending capacity and support businesses and economic actors taking part in the transformation of Cameroon’s economy.

Through its subsidiary, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the IsDB Group finalized a 20 million euro financing facility with AFG Bank Cameroon to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises to access finance.

Letters of intent were also signed with Afriland First Bank Cameroon for 50 million euros, Commercial Bank-Cameroon for 10 million euros and CCA Bank Cameroon for 15 million euros.

**Officials pose for a family picture after the opening ceremony**

The IsDB additionally approved 212.35 million euros, (about FCFA 139 billion), for the rehabilitation of the Douala-Bafoussam road. The operation reinforces the IsDB Group’s support for road infrastructure development and improved connectivity between Cameroon’s main economic hubs.

The agreements and commitments, which align with national development priorities, reflect the IsDB Group’s determination to support the structural transformation of Cameroon’s economy, the development of value chains, infrastructure improvements and a stronger private sector role in reaching growth objectives.

Officials said the goal is to build a partnership that is more inclusive, innovative and focused on tangible results for the country.

PADESCE Apprenticeship Programme Rolls Out Second Phase In Douala To Empower 646 Youths

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Secondary Education and Skills Development Project, better known in French as PADESCE, has rolled out the second phase of its apprenticeship program in Douala.

**Trainers during the training exercise**

The training sessions, that took place from September 9 and 10, aimed to prepare professionals designated by partner companies to supervise, guide, and support young apprentices during their practical training in the workplace.

This initiative follows the first wave of apprenticeship master training, which took place in Yaoundé from September 3 to 4. The programme forms part of Phase 2 of the implementation of a quality apprenticeship initiative benefiting 646 young people under Window 2 of the Skills Development Facility (SDF) of PADESCE.

Overall, the programme targets 646 young people aged 15 to 30, including 342 in the Douala basin and 304 in the Yaoundé basin. It also supports the capacity building of approximately 244 apprenticeship masters, with 139 in Douala and 105 in Yaoundé.

Phase 2 is the operational stage of the programme. It includes youth recruitment and matching, apprenticeship master training, apprentice orientation and immersion, contractualisation, placement, and the launch of work-based learning. The apprenticeship model combines theoretical training with practical learning in the workplace, under the supervision of MINEFOP. It is based on a tripartite apprenticeship agreement involving the State/PADESCE, the company, and the apprentice.

PADESCE stressed that apprenticeship master training is essential in a dual or work-based learning system, where companies are key environments for acquiring practical skills. For this reason, the apprenticeship master plays a strategic role. As PADESCE stated, “Beyond technical knowledge transfer, he or she guides the apprentice in adapting to the professional environment, monitors progress and contributes to the development of professional attitudes and skills.”

A cross section of a participants with their certificates

According to programme officials, the training is designed to strengthen apprenticeship masters’ capacities in apprenticeship pedagogy, supervision and mentoring techniques, practical skills transfer, monitoring and evaluation tools, the use of the apprenticeship logbook, the apprenticeship master’s code of conduct, regulatory requirements related to apprenticeship contracts, and PADESCE quality requirements.

The training also covers key areas such as understanding the apprenticeship framework, including the institutional and regulatory environment, participants’ responsibilities, and the objectives of the MCDC Window 2 apprenticeship pilot. It addresses adult and youth learning principles, the specificities of work-based learning, and how theoretical and practical training are articulated. Participants are trained in active skills-transfer methods, including demonstration, observation, and guided practice.

In addition, while apprenticeship masters learn how to use the apprenticeship logbook, formative assessment tools, and monitoring mechanisms, the training also promotes a safe working environment. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), professional conduct, and workplace responsibilities are therefore explicitly addressed.

The programme brings together PADESCE, the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP), partner companies, professional experts, pedagogues, methodologists, and career guidance counsellors. After the apprenticeship master training sessions in Yaoundé and Douala, the programme will proceed to apprentice immersion and orientation, the finalisation and signing of apprenticeship contracts, the official launch and workplace placement, the commencement of work-based learning, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. This will involve supervision visits, regular use of apprenticeship logbooks, and information reporting.

**Participants during the Douala PADESCE Apprenticeship Program**

The implementation of this apprenticeship programme reflects the cooperation between the Government of Cameroon and the World Bank in support of human capital development. With World Bank support, PADESCE was established to improve equitable access to quality secondary education and to promote skills development and vocational training aligned with labour-market needs. Through MCDC, this partnership translates into practical interventions to strengthen skills, improve the link between training and employment, and support the socio-economic integration of beneficiaries.

Through apprenticeship master training, PADESCE is reinforcing quality workplace supervision as a key driver of successful apprenticeships and youth employability, in line with the belief that, “Train those who mentor, to better prepare those who learn.”

2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Cameroon Look To Teenagers As Coach Pagou Rips Up Old Guard

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

David Pagou has named a 26-man Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 (AFCON) qualifiers that amounts to the most decisive generational shift the Indomitable Lions have undertaken in more than a decade.

The new-look side will begin their Group G campaign at home to Comoros on 24 September, before travelling to face the Republic of Congo on 29 September. A friendly against Ivory Coast in Abidjan on October 3 rounds off the international window.

But the headlines belong not to those called up, but to those left behind. In releasing his selection, Pagou has effectively drawn a line under an era that, for all its individual talent, consistently fell short of collective expectation.

André Onana, whose international future had been the subject of sustained speculation, is again omitted. The goalkeeping duties will instead be shared by Montpellier’s Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu, Boulogne’s Blondy Rudolph Nna Noukeu, and uncapped Marumo Gallants shot-stopper Emilie Merlin Lako Wendeu.

The departures run far deeper. Former captain Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Nouhou Tolo, Christopher Wooh, Jean Onana and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou have all been passed over. With André-Frank Zambo Anguissa having retired from international duty and Carlos Baleba sidelined through injury, the squad’s previous spine has all but vanished.

For many observers, the exodus is less a shock than a recognition of reality. Cameroon’s so-called golden generation frequently flattered to deceive, failing to translate club acclaim into sustained continental dominance. Coach Pagou, entrusted with charting a new course, has chosen not to prolong the inevitable.

In their place, five uncapped players have been promoted to the senior setup: Servette FC’s Lilian Paul René Njoh, Deportivo La Coruña’s Bil Nsongo, Angers SCO’s Harouna Djibirin, ES Zarzis’s David Roy Nyengue, and Lako Wendeu.

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They join a burgeoning core that includes 19-year-old forward Dorinel Angel Yondjo, who recently joined LOSC Lille’s system, 20-year-old defender Emmanuel Moungam of Landskrona BoIS, Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Michel Kofane, Rennes full-back Mahamadou Nagida, and Reims defender Junior Samuel Kotto.

From all indication, the burden of leadership now falls to Bryan Mbeumo. The Manchester United forward, who has emerged as the side’s attacking lynchpin, is the sole remaining established figure in an otherwise youthful ensemble.

It is a reset born as much of necessity as of design. With so many senior players either unavailable, out of form, or simply no longer part of the long-term vision, Coach Pagou has been left with little choice but to accelerate the integration of the next generation.

The immediate challenge, however, is unforgiving. Group G encounters against Comoros, Congo and Namibia will require points from the outset if Cameroon are to avoid a protracted qualifying struggle and secure their berth at the 2027 tournament.

The first true gauge of this new direction will come in Garoua against Comoros, followed by the trip to Brazzaville to face Congo. The subsequent meeting with Ivory Coast on 3 October will offer a sterner examination, testing whether this fledgling side can compete with the continent’s established powers.

Team list

Goalkeepers: Simon Brady Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier HSC), Blondy Rudolph Nna Noukeu (US Boulogne), Emilie Merlin Lako Wendeu (Marumo Gallants FC).

Defenders: Darlin Yongwa (Norwich City), Mahamadou Nagida (Stade Rennais), Junior Samuel Kotto (Stade de Reims), Emmanuel Moungong Aton (Landskrona BoIS), Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Stéphane Paul Keller (SK Beveren), Che Malone Fondoh Junior (MC Alger), Kevin Keben (Watford), Duplex Tchamba Bangou (Clube do Remo), Lilian Paul René Njoh (Servette FC), Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu (Stoke City).

Midfielders: Saidou Alioum Moubarak (FK Jablonec), Arthur Avom (FC Lorient), Donfack Ryan Gloire Fosso (Standard Liège), Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Mael Monyeb (Espérance Sportive de Tunis), Danny Namaso (AJ Auxerre), Harouna Djibirin (Angers SCO), David Roy Nyengue (Espérance Sportive de Zarzis).

Forwards: Karl Edouard Blaise Etta Eyong (UD Levante), Dorinel Angel Yondjo (LOSC Lille), Nsongo Tonfack Bil Dornol (Deportivo La Coruña), Christian Michel Kofane (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

GSIC Testing Lab accelerates sports innovation across 34 organizations, 61 startups & more than 1,000 executives

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The GSIC Testing Lab Valencia marked the completion of its inaugural year with an industry showcase at La Harinera, releasing performance metrics that position the city as an international epicenter for sports technology validation.

Jointly managed by the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft and promoted by local government authorities through Valencia Innovation Capital, the center attracted 34 organizations from over 20 countries in its first 12 months.

The initiative bridges international sports technology ventures with regional institutions, providing real-world testing environments for emerging products. Over its first year, the lab conducted six live-condition pilot projects spanning artificial intelligence, sports performance, biomarkers, facility management, digital access control, and racquet sports technologies.

“When we launched the Testing Lab, our ambition was to make Valencia a place where sports innovation could be tested, validated and turned into real business opportunities,” said Iris Córdoba, managing director of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft. “One year later, we are seeing international companies working with local organizations, startups gaining access to industry decision-makers and new collaborations emerging that probably would not have happened without this project.”

International firms from Taiwan, Argentina, Italy, Estonia, Germany, and the United Kingdom utilized the facility to validate software and hardware solutions. In total, 61 startups pitched directly to executives, federations, and investors, while more than 1,000 industry leaders participated in center-hosted programs.

Municipal and regional officials highlighted the initiative’s broader economic impact on the region’s technology sector.

“For Valencia, having a space such as the GSIC Testing Lab means turning innovation into real opportunities for the city: attracting companies and talent, creating new connections across the sports and technology ecosystem, and providing an environment where solutions can be tested and validated under real-world conditions,” said Paula Llobet, councillor for innovation and investment attraction at Valencia City Council.

Local integration formed a core component of the operational strategy. More than 40 Valencian sports organizations engaged in center programming, and 200 training licenses were distributed for an artificial intelligence in sports curriculum developed alongside tech-education platform Founderz.

“The Generalitat considers that the objective for which this center was created has been fully achieved: to become an international benchmark for technology and innovation applied to sports science, while also serving our sports ecosystem,” said Luis Cervera, director general for sport at the Generalitat Valenciana.

The lab also served as a launchpad for regional talent, hosting the national final of the Red Bull Basement competition. The winning local team from Universitat Politècnica de València advanced to represent Spain in Silicon Valley, finishing among the top 10 projects globally.

Beyond local operations, representatives from the center participated in 23 international industry events, presenting the Valencia ecosystem to roughly 21,000 executives across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

Looking ahead, the facility is preparing to expand its certification and testing frameworks. The center will host its primary annual gathering, the GSIC Summit Valencia 2026, on Oct. 7–8, bringing together global sports bodies, investors, and technology developers.

About GSIC Testing Lab

The GSIC Testing Lab is the applied innovation laboratory of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft, located in Valencia. It is designed to accelerate the testing, validation, adoption, and scaling of technology solutions in Sports, Entertainment, Media, and Health.

Managed by GSIC and promoted by the Valencia Region and Valencia City Hall through València Innovation Capital, the Testing Lab connects startups, technology companies, corporates, and sports organizations with real-world testing environments, strategic partners, and business opportunities. Its mission is to support technology adoption, and position Valencia as an international benchmark for applied sports innovation.

Hon. Okie Jah Simon Pledges Youth Support Across Kupe-Muanenguba

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Divisional Coordinator of the National Youth Parliamentary Network for Kupe-Muanenguba and Youth Member of Parliament for Nguti Subdivision, Hon. Okie Jah Simon Okie, has reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment and community development.

**Hon. Okie Jah Simon Okie – Divisional Coordinator of the National Youth Parliamentary Network for Kupe-Muanenguba and Youth Member of Parliament for Nguti Subdivision**

He demonstrated his commitment through his support for the local football tournament, using sport as a platform to bring young people together, promote peaceful coexistence, and encourage the development of grassroots talent.

As part of his support, Okie supported several individual awards to recognise outstanding players. They included the Best Player Trophy, a gold medal for the Best Goalkeeper, a silver medal for the Youngest Player and an award for the tournament’s Highest Goal Scorer.

The awards were intended to encourage young footballers, recognise their efforts and inspire other young people to pursue their talents.

Beyond the competition on the pitch, the tournament provided an opportunity for young people within the village to interact and build relationships. It also offered a constructive way for them to spend their time while promoting teamwork, healthy competition and community spirit.

**One of the finalists of the football tournament in Ntale Village (PENYE), Kupe-Muanenguba supported by Hon. Okie Jah Simon Okie**

For Okie, supporting such initiatives is part of a broader vision of creating opportunities for young people and encouraging them to play an active role in the development of their communities.

He maintains that investment in the younger generation is essential to the long-term progress of Kupe- Muanenguba, particularly in promoting peace, hard work, mutual support and responsible citizenship.

His involvement in the tournament also reflects his emphasis on using youth-oriented activities to strengthen social cohesion and create spaces where young people can discover and develop their abilities.

Looking ahead, Okie has assured young people and res- idents across Kupe-Muanenguba that the National Youth Parliamentary Network will continue to advocate for and support youth-focused initiatives throughout the Division.

The network, he said, remains committed to working alongside young people and helping create opportunities through which they can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The initiative underscores the connection between youth empowerment, social cohesion and community development, with sports providing one practical avenue through which young people can come together, develop their talents and contribute to a more peaceful and productive society.

2026 Chantal Biya International Cycling Tour: CAMTEL Reaffirms Commitment To Sports, Youth, & Cameroonian Excellence

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo & Brian Mboh

Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) has reaffirmed its commitment to sports, youth empowerment, and national excellence following its extensive participation in the 26th edition of the Chantal Biya International Cycling Race.

**Cameroon’s First Lady, Chantal Biya during the final reception of the 2026 cycling tour in Yaounde** (Photo: CAMTEL)

Beyond the physical battles fought on the asphalt over the five-day tour, the premier event that ended on Sunday September 6 showcased a massive operational synergy between sport and telecommunications, driven by its primary sponsor.

Throughout the 744-kilometer stage race, the state-owned provider deployed portable high-speed broadband infrastructure, live mobile connectivity hubs, and extensive logistical backing to maintain uninterrupted network operations along the peloton’s shifting route.

CAMTEL’s technical involvement extended across all five stages, directly connecting remote operational stops to main broadcasting centers in Yaoundé. The company’s engineering teams accompanied the rolling caravan daily, installing satellite terminals and temporary fiber-optic access points to provide real-time connectivity for international UCI commissaires, timing officials, race organizers, and media personnel reporting on stage finishes.

**CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi with Cameroonian rider Clovis Kamzong Abossolo, CAMTEL’s hostesses** (Photo: CAMTEL)

“Sport remains an essential vehicle for national unity, economic vitality, and youth empowerment,” said CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi during the closing ceremony. She stressed that supporting the flagship cycling tour aligns directly with the company’s broader mandate to expand digital infrastructure and drive national development initiatives.

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As part of its commercial and community presence, CAMTEL established active fan zones at every finish line, offering localized mobile registration services, high-speed Wi-Fi access points, and promotional giveaways to thousands of spectators gathered along the course. The company’s presence extended far beyond brand visibility.

At the final stage, Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi presented the blue jersey awarded to the best Cameroonian cyclist, tying the sponsor directly to celebrating top-performing local riders alongside international competitors.

**Cyclists fighting for glory at the 2026 Chantal Biya International Cycling Race** *(Photo: CAMTEL)*

This gesture added a human dimension to the partnership, translating sponsorship into tangible moments for athletes, families, and spectators, while reinforcing CAMTEL’s support for homegrown talent competing against riders from across Africa and Europe.

The 2026 edition of the Grand Prix Chantal Biya International Cycling Tour also introduced special prizes for outstanding female cyclists who distinguished themselves in their debut during the competition. On the road, the sporting contest delivered dynamic action with a different stage winner on each of the first three days. Algerian rider Yacine Hamza won the opening 111-kilometer stage from Motcheboum to Messamena, followed by Wanja Russenberger of Switzerland taking the second stage, and Cameroon’s Clovis Kamzong claiming victory on the 166-kilometer third stage from Yaoundé to Nkolandom.

**CAMTEL Blue Jersey displaced during the cycling race** (Photo: CAMTEL)

Hamza Amari secured the remaining legs, winning both the fourth stage from Sangmelima to Meyomessala and the 162.5-kilometer finale from Sangmelima back to Yaoundé.

For CAMTEL, the race provided a powerful platform to associate telecommunications with endurance, discipline, and national visibility. With the 2026 tour officially concluded, sports analysts and event organizers noted that sustained corporate backing from entities like CAMTEL continues to play a vital role in elevating Cameroon’s international sports profile.

**CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi during the final event in Yaounde** (Photo: CAMTEL)

Selling Of Basic Necessities: Chinese Stores Taking Over

Violet Mbasso Lale

Consumers are increasingly turning to new and attractive products sold at affordable prices, leaving second-hand goods with fewer buyers and less appeal. At exactly 9 a.m on Thursday, September 3, the entrance to the Chinese-owned store popularly known as “Tout à 800” in Ngousso neighbourhood of Yaounde, was already congested with customers waiting in a long queue to get inside.

The crowd stretched along the roadside, leaving little space for others to gather, as customers waited their turn to enter the store, where all goods are sold for FCFA 800. Some customers reportedly arrive as early as 5 a.m to secure a place in the queue, while those who arrive later may have to wait for hours or risk not getting inside due to the heavy crowd.

The trend is also visbible at Home solution, another Chinese store at the Mfoundi market mall, where a variety of household goods are sold at relatively low prices. Similar scenes have been observed at the newly opened mall at the Elig Edzoa neighbourhood of Yaounde.

Clinton Clement, a staff at the Home Solution mall, says their products are sourced directly from producers and attract customers because of their affordability and guarantees. “Our products have at least five years of guarantee. Do you think we won’t have enough sales when most of our things are very affordable?” he says.

According to these Chinese stores, a standard refrigerator costs about FCFA 70,000, instead of FCFA 45 to 50,000 in a second-hand store, same as 32-inch smart television which starts at around FCFA 90,000, while at flea-market, it cost about FCFA 40,000.

On the other hand, the shift in these buying preferences is gradually weakening sales of second-hand goods in Yaounde. Flea-market operators say they are struggling to remain competitive despite the quality of their merchandise. Many travel to Europe to purchase used goods, transport them to Cameroon, clean and service items like refrigerators before putting them on sale.

Kengne Noel, a flea-market owner, specialised in electrical machines and small tools, says his products are becoming difficult to sell, despite reducing prices and offering guarantees of between two weeks and one month, depending on the condition of the items.

Prices of his goods like auto spare parts, ranges from about FCFA 10,000 to 50,000, while others like car batteries cost FCFA 100,000 and above. “European second-hand products are more durable than some new Chinese goods, but their appearance and prices are making them less attractive to our consumers, and we are always trying our best to clean them properly,” he says.

For some customers, however, the attraction goes beyond price. They say flea-market goods no longer always appear cheap or appealing, despite their perceived durability. Some recall a time when second-hand products were highly valued, but say the growing availability of Chinese goods is gradually changing their preferences.

Over 2,000 Students In Mbengwi Receive Aid From Ndangoh Tah Calvin Foundation

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

More than 2,000 students in Mbengwi Central Subdivision have received educational support from the Ndangoh Tah Calvin Foundation during one of the organization’s largest aid operations to date.

**Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh Tah Calvin poses for a family photo with students and pupils.**

The assistance was distributed recently at the Mbengwi Palace during the Annual General Meeting of the Mbengwi Elements Development Association (MEDA). Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh Tah Calvin, founder of the charity, said the initiative aims to ease financial burdens on families while encouraging parents to keep their children enrolled in classes despite ongoing local challenges.

Addressing parents and community leaders at the event, Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh stressed that the long-term stability of the region hinges directly on classroom participation and student safety.

“The education and security of our children should be our primary concern,” Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh said, urging parents to prioritize schooling and take an active role in protecting educational spaces.

**Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh Tah Calvin**

In his remarks, the Foundation Leader called for the establishment and strengthening of local vigilance groups around campus grounds, arguing that school security requires grassroots involvement alongside official law enforcement.

“Report any suspicious moves and suspected cases of school disruption,” Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh urged residents, warning against passivity. “We cannot continue suffering and depriving our youths of education while others are sending their children.”

Ndangoh strongly condemned ongoing public campaigns that advocate for school boycotts. He warned that disrupting academic years threatens to derail an entire generation of young people who need competitive skills for the modern workforce.

To counter these efforts, he urged traditional rulers, teachers, religious authorities, and local administrators to present a united front in support of uninterrupted learning.

The foundation founder also aligned his message with the Fon of Mbengwi to denounce social vices affecting local youth, specifically targeting the sale of illicit drugs and cheap sachet whisky near school grounds.

He expressed additional concern over rising rates of sexual promiscuity among students, calling on parents to offer stronger moral guidance to prevent behaviors that derail health and academic progress.

Closing his address, Ndangoh stressed that restoring security in the subdivision requires a broad coalition comprising civil society, traditional leaders, and security personnel.

“We should all help the administration and security officers to make Mbengwi safe for meaningful development and for our children to go to school,” Ntumfon Barrister Ndangoh said. “It is our joint responsibility.”

The recent relief effort marks another chapter in the foundation’s ongoing outreach in the subdivision, reinforcing its core mission that securing classroom opportunities today serves as the foundation for the region’s future stability.

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