Cameroon is known for its vast diversity characterized by over 250 ethnic groups and languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in Africa. Cameroon’s geographical variety ranges from coastal beaches to rainforests, savannas, and mountains. The country is known for its laicity: Islam, Christianity, and African traditional religion are widely practiced, with both French and English being the official languages. Moreover, Cameroon is rich in youthful potential. According to the World Bank (2023), youth aged 15-35 make up about 30%-35% of the country’s population, which aligns with the African Union definition of youth. However, these hardworking and intellectual youth hardly find a place at the decision-making level and political system, dominated by an aging elite, leading to widespread emigration of youth in the search of greener pastures. To guarantee sustainable national progress, the country must adopt a new leadership style that involves youth as legitimate participants rather than passive observers.
Transformational leadership is a leadership style characterized by the visionary leader’s ability to inspire, motivate, and empower their followers to surpass self-interest for the achievement of a common goal. (Ughulu, 2024) posits that in the context of developing nations, where socio-economic challenges and opportunities intersect, the role of transformational leadership is particularly pronounced. A country like Rwanda, whose population and economy were devastated by genocide in 1994, is now aspiring to middle-income country status by 2035 and high-income country status by 2050 thanks to the effective leadership of H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, for his commitment to revolutionize and transform the country through good governance, agricultural reform, and youth inclusion to improve human resources (Rwigema, 2022). Ghana also offers inspiring glimpses into the transformative power of this leadership model.
Through the World Youth Summit NPC, I have witnessed firsthand how empowered youth can lead with impact. I realized that they are likely to showcase their talent if given platforms. From mentoring programs to speaking platforms at global stages such as the UN, we’ve seen members of my organization evolve from unnoticed activists into national and international actors and advocates. By trusting and equipping these young people with tools in civic engagement, entrepreneurship, digital communication, and diplomacy, we can nurture a new generation of leaders capable of transformative governance. The World Youth Summit NPC has shaped many young people who have become prominent personalities in their respective sectors. The case of Advocate Yvette Tino Mutemeri, a young lady who graduated from the law faculty at a university in Zimbabwe, had a chance to participate in the second edition of the World Youth Summit hosted in South Africa from September 30th to October 2nd, 2019. She praised the organization for how it positively impacted her future. Through the platform, she got empowered, learned how the UNSC works, networked, and was given the opportunity to lead the compliance team of the organization. Now she is a governance manager in a big and reputed firm in Estonia. “I learned how to be a leader and how to deal and communicate with people through the World Youth Summit.” Advocate Yvette.
Despite their numbers, youth in Cameroon are not involved in the daily socio-economic activities and are mostly excluded from political decision-making. They face limited access, financial barriers, and symbolic rather than substantial involvement. Young graduates are facing a high unemployment rate, forcing them to do commercial activities and exposing them to crimes.
The government of Cameroon must address this by tailoring the education sector to be more effective after students’ graduation. Youth tend to study subjects that are not needed and can’t contribute to the economic growth of the country. The government must develop national youth leadership channels focused on civic education, mentorship, policy, and financial literacy. The decentralization system is commendable but lacks active youth participation. Youth must be represented in governance. Incubator and accelerator programs must be hosted to provide support and training on entrepreneurial skills.
The Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon has threatened not just the security and peace of the neighboring regions but has also impacted negatively on the economy of the entire country, contributing to its economic dependency. This situation demands bold and inclusive solutions. A youth-led movement built on transformational leadership would prioritize participatory governance, peacebuilding, and digital innovation. This vision must be inclusive, fostering unity. It must be ethical and responsive to the unique aspirations of a digitally native generation. By aligning organizational goals with broader national objectives, transformational leadership plays a crucial role in addressing economic disparities, political uncertainties, and social issues (Ughulu, 2024). Transformational leaders in developing nations, as observed in the case of Nigeria, have been instrumental in motivating collective action and fostering innovative solutions to complex issues (Aycan & Kanungo, 2014).
The government of Cameroon should consider hosting a national youth policy reform forum in 2026, launching civic leadership fellowships in partnership with the civil society network and World Youth Summit NPC through its registered branch in Cameroon, and hosting an edition of the Lead Like Mandela Forum once a year, designed by the World Youth Summit NPC to teach transformational leadership skills to the youth. The government must deploy digital platforms to improve political education and participation. And finally, advocate for meaningful youth roles in electoral reform and party development.
The current leaders in power must see this not as a generational clash but as a generational partnership. Many young Cameroonians die each and every day at sea in the search of a better life in Europe only because they are not offered that back home. The youth are courageous, intellectual, and hardworking, but the living conditions don’t make it easy for them to survive. Maybe it is time the aging elite gives them a chance. Cameroon’s future depends on transparent, ethical, empathetic, and excellent leadership qualities that, if mentored and trained, youth are eager to demonstrate.
Cameroonians all around the globe are known for their talent. But the country itself is deficient in political renewal. This renewal must not always involve the complete replacement of the aging elite. Instead, the renewal must consist of a new vision grounded on effective transformational leadership and the full inclusion of youth as active participants and influencers of the socio-economic and political events of the country. Transformational leadership is more than just a leadership concept or style; it is the future of Cameroon’s democracy and development. By investing in youth now, the government is not just shaping future leaders; they are building the future of Cameroon.
