Fifth ‘WorkUp Cameroun’ Labour Fair: New Era for Professional Excellence, Youth Employment

The morning of Monday, April 27, 2026, marked a transformative milestone for the Cameroonian labor market as the 5th WorkUp Cameroun labour fair opened at the Centre Regional Council esplanade. Under the high patronage of the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, the event has transitioned from a gala evening into a comprehensive three-day "operational hub" designed to bridge the gap between unemployment and industrial productivity.

Mandate For Social Dialogue
Gregoire Owona, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, presiding as the Prime Minister’s personal representative, cut the ribbon to a chorus of optimism. The timing of the fair - just days before International Labour Day on May 1st - was intentional, aimed at grounding the upcoming celebrations in tangible economic activity.

Marketplace Of Ideas, Opportunities
“This year’s theme, ‘Social Dialogue and Decent Work for a Peaceful Cameroon,’ is not merely a slogan. It is a call to action. We are here to witness the opening of a marketplace of ideas and opportunities. I congratulate Mr. Zephyrin Koloko for his persistence in creating this framework. As wished by His Excellency President Paul Biya, the meeting of national and diaspora competences today will shine the image of Cameroon’s resilience and ambition. I therefore encourage every employer, every employee, and every job seeker to seek new partnerships during these three days,” Gregoire Owona stated.

The Visionary Behind The Fair
For Zephyrin Koloko, the 2026 edition represents the fulfillment of a five-year journey. What began as the "Grande Nuit des Travailleurs" has evolved into a multi-dimensional platform. WorkUp Cameroun is the new name for the ‘Grande Nuit des Travailleurs’ that we have been organizing for four years. We are now at the 5th edition, and from now on, WorkUp must no longer be limited solely to a night of rewards. It is now a Great Job Market. 
“We are impressed by the mobilization of companies. This ceremony is also about social welfare; the fair will continue until 7:00 pm today and tomorrow, offering young people with health problems the chance to get treated for free. This builds the engine of human development,” said Koloko.
Koloko detailed the upcoming rewards for the gala night on April 29, 2026 at the Djeuga Hotel:
“We will encourage workers to be more productive. The best from public and private sectors will receive titled plots of land, computers, household appliances, and grants of 300,000 CFA francs. There was no reward framework for workers; we have just created it,” Koloko added.

From Cameroonian Soil To Swiss Chocolate
One of the most visited stalls at the fair was Ngassam Farms Sarl and Cocoa Valley Suisse, highlighting the potential for local transformation of raw materials. “We grow the cocoa here in Cameroon through Ngassam Farms Sarl, process it, and then send it to Switzerland for the production of our ‘Bams’ brand chocolates and Oreal spreads. 
“Our next plan is to be able to produce these chocolates on national territory. We are in the process of developing a production factory here in Cameroon because we produce products with heart and differently,” Livia Santa, assistant to Mr. Ngassa Serge, the promoter of Ngassam Farms and Cocoa Valley Suisse.

It’s Possible In Africa
“I came from Switzerland to bring real solutions. I believe in Africa which is growing. It won’t be on the other side; it will be on this side in the next 20 years. In Africa, it is Africa that wins. If you stay in your homes, success won’t come find you. Youth demonstrate daily the capacity to achieve tangible things, and that is why I support Koloko Zephyrin. Africa 237 - that is where you need to be today,” Serge Ngassa said.

The "Unstoppable Youth"
Education at the fair moved beyond traditional academic paths. I-Lead Global, a Texas-based institution, brought a focus on innate talent and the digital economy. “I-Lead Global is an international institution based in Texas, USA, and we are already established in Cameroon. We train online across the diaspora - Cameroonians, Senegalese, Malians. We talk about youth as the spearhead of the nation. The young person needs to know it’s not just school training that promotes you. 
“The talent you were born with can promote you. We are here to bring out that vocation based on natural skills. We call them ‘unstoppable young people.’ We also train in entrepreneurship and leadership at our business school to explore fields that will promote them tomorrow,” commented Marie Thérèse Ekassi, Communications Officer for I-Lead Global.

Structural Solutions To Unemployment
Representing the state’s commitment to youth, the National Employment Fund (FNE/NEF) is presenting specialized programmes for rural and urban integration at WorkUp Cameroun 2026.
“The FNE is here to present its range of services to solve the problems of young people. We have the PADER (Support Program for the Development of Rural Jobs) for micro-projects in remote areas. We have the PACT, our flagship program, which places a young person in a company for two years to learn a trade with an allowance supported by both the company and the FNE. 
“For those not in Yaoundé, we have 16 agencies. We are also celebrating 36 years today with ‘Job Scholarships’—on-the-spot recruitment. I invite all seekers to bring a copy of their CNI, diploma, and CV. All services are free,” said Mr. Zambo, NEF representative.

"Know Your Numbers"
The intersection of health and labor was addressed by the Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital, Yaounde team, who are providing free screenings to ensure a "fit for work" population.
“We came under the umbrella of Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital for ‘Know Your Numbers.’ We check blood pressure, diabetes, weight, and BMI. Most people are skeptical; they say, ‘I am not sick.’ But these are progressive, slow diseases. Before you know it, stroke or blindness has come in. It is not helpful to remain ignorant because you can develop a disability. It’s very important that everybody checks their values health-wise. We want to assess the risk within your family level, and it is entirely free,” explained Ndassi Cordelia, a nurse. 

Three-Day Catalyst For Growth
As the fair enters its second day, the atmosphere at the Centre Regional Council esplanade  is one of high-stakes networking. With institutions like Yaoundé General Hospital providing medical support and institutions like I-Lead Global reshaping the mindset of the youth, WorkUp Cameroun 2026 is proving to be more than just an exhibition. It is a manifestation of the "Social Dialogue" requested by the Prime Minister - a space where the government, the private sector, and th...