Education

19, June 2026

Biometric census prompts review of 11,000 education ministry employees ⁰

Cameroon’s Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec) has launched a major review of its workforce following a nationwide physical and biometric census conducted in early 2026. After consolidating the data, the ministry asked more than 11,000 employees to clarify their administrative status within 14 days. Through the exercise, the ministry is doing more than updating its records. It is also exposing the scale of the weaknesses that continue to affect its human resources management system.

In a series of notices signed on June 15, 2026, Minister Pauline Nalova Lyonga called on several categories of personnel to report to the relevant services of the ministry to clarify their status. The figures released by Minesec paint a troubling picture. The ministry identified 5,659 employees reported by their supervisors as having abandoned their positions, 392 employees classified as absent or deserters, 1,319 personnel reported to be living outside the country, and 3,172 employees whose administrative status is considered “unknown.”

One of the most striking findings concerns 392 individuals who continue to receive salaries from the ministry despite reportedly not belonging to any of its official structures. That figure alone highlights one of the operation’s main objectives. Beyond verifying attendance, Minesec is also seeking to regain control of an administrative and payroll database whose reliability now appears seriously compromised.

The personnel concerned have 14 days from the publication of the notices to submit the required documentation. The file must include, among other documents, census forms generated through the biometric platform and validated by supervisors, a certificate confirming effective presence at the workplace and indicating attendance levels and administrative status, a detailed account of the employee’s administrative situation over the past three years, a copy of the recruitment document, and a recent payslip. The ministry warned that any missing document will result in the rejection of the application.

The strict nature of the procedure reflects the scope of the operation. The ministry is no longer focusing on isolated irregularities. Instead, it is reviewing cases that could affect career management, actual staffing levels in schools, and the use of public funds.

The physical and biometric census that triggered the process took place nationwide between March 9 and April 8, 2026. It covered personnel working in schools as well as employees on training assignments or seconded to other government institutions. Officially, the goal was to establish a reliable picture of the workforce within the secondary education system. The initial findings, however, suggest that the exercise has revealed a deeper problem involving administrative traceability.

The operation comes at a time when the education sector already faces significant human resource challenges. For years, the administration has struggled to monitor staffing levels, fill certain positions, and retain personnel. These issues have been compounded by growing migration abroad among teachers and other public servants, although the figures released by the ministry do not indicate where the employees identified as living outside the country are located.

That is what gives the exercise a significance that goes beyond disciplinary concerns. Minesec is not simply dealing with cases of job abandonment or prolonged absence. It is also trying to determine who actually belongs to its services, who is physically present, who continues to receive a salary, and how these situations were allowed to persist administratively.

In that sense, the biometric census has become a tool for restoring control. It allows the ministry to compare its records against the reality of employee attendance, assignments, and administrative positions. At the same time, it reveals the extent of the administrative disorder that routine procedures had evidently failed to address.

The ministry presents the operation as a way to clean up personnel records, secure data, and improve human resource management. But the figures already made public show that it is also a test of the administration’s own credibility. When a ministry is forced to ask more than 11,000 employees to justify their status, questions inevitably arise about its actual control over its workforce.

The review could lead to disciplinary measures, administrative regularizations, and a broader cleanup of personnel records. More importantly, it should help the ministry distinguish between employees who are effectively serving in their positions and those whose administrative, professional, or payroll status now requires closer examination.

At Minesec, the biometric census no longer looks like a routine monitoring exercise. It is already emerging as a sign of deeper structural weaknesses in the management of secondary education personnel. Through the irregularities it has uncovered, it also serves as a reminder that staffing challenges are not only about teacher shortages, but also about the state’s continuing difficulty in determining precisely who still belongs to its own workforce.

Source: Sbbc

13, June 2026

Biya regime seeks closer ties between universities and employers ⁰

Finding an internship remains a major challenge for many students in Cameroon. While universities graduate thousands of students every year, access to a first professional experience often remains one of the biggest barriers to employment.

In an effort to bridge the gap between academic training and labor market needs, the Ministry of Higher Education signed partnership agreements on June 3 in Yaoundé with the Cameroon Press and Publishing Corporation (Sopecam), Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), and the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA).

The agreements are designed to expand access to academic and professional internships for students and recent graduates in sectors considered strategic for the country’s development, including media, telecommunications, and civil aviation. According to the ministry, the partnerships aim to improve graduate employability through skills-based professional experience, support workforce integration, reduce youth unemployment and underemployment, strengthen the practical orientation of university programs, and encourage innovation in key sectors of the economy.

Beyond the signing ceremony, the initiative addresses a long-standing criticism of Cameroon’s higher education system: the disconnect between academic training and the skills employers seek.

Many companies argue that graduates often possess strong theoretical knowledge but lack the practical experience needed to enter the workforce. Under the agreements, students will have the opportunity to work within partner organizations, gain hands-on experience, develop job-ready skills, and better understand the realities of their future professions.

Targeting Fast-Changing Industries

The initiative comes as youth employment remains a major concern for policymakers. Higher education specialists generally view internships as a critical step between university and employment. They help students build professional networks, gain valuable experience, and in some cases secure their first job.

The choice of partners also reflects the government’s desire to steer students toward industries undergoing rapid transformation.

In telecommunications, digitalization is creating demand for skills related to networks, digital services, and cybersecurity. In civil aviation, modernization efforts are opening opportunities in management, safety, and technology-related fields. The media sector is also evolving rapidly as digital platforms reshape how information is produced and consumed.

Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo said the partnerships are intended to better prepare students for their professional careers. According to him, the internship programs will provide direct exposure to strategic sectors and allow students to complement classroom learning with practical experience.

The real challenge, however, will be translating these commitments into meaningful opportunities for a large number of young people. For many graduates, access to a first professional experience remains one of the most important factors in securing a place in the job market.

Source: Sbbc

12, June 2026

Exam leaks in CPDM Cameroon: A symptom of a deeper corruption crisis ⁰

The recurring problem of examination leaks in Cameroon is often treated as an isolated failure of educational administration. However, many Cameroonians have now opined that these incidents reflect a broader culture of bad governance, lack of accountability and corruption that has developed under the long rule of the 92-year-old President Paul Biya and his CPDM government based in Yaoundé.

For members of the ruling CPDM crime syndicate who do not know, examination leaks undermine the integrity of the country’s education system. The leaks devalue the hard work of honest students, erode public confidence in academic qualifications and create unfair advantages for those with access to privileged networks. Yet such leaks do not occur in a vacuum. They require the involvement or at least the negligence of individuals entrusted with safeguarding examination materials in all the ten regions of Cameroon.

Some commentators contend that the persistence of these scandals points to a deeper governance problem in Yaoundé. When state institutions lack transparency and government officials are rarely held accountable for misconduct, corruption can spread throughout public service establishments. In such an environment, the temptation to exploit confidential examination materials for personal gain becomes greater, while the likelihood of meaningful consequences remains low.

Under President Biya’s administration, opposition figures and civil society groups have frequently raised concerns about corruption, patronage and institutional weakness. They argue that these systemic issues have contributed to declining public trust in state institutions, including the education sector. From this perspective, examination leaks are not merely educational failures but symptoms of broader political and administrative shortcomings.

Supporters of the corrupt Biya regime, however, maintain that examination malpractice is a challenge faced by many countries and should not be attributed solely to national political leadership. They point to efforts by education minister Prof Nalova Lyonga to strengthen security measures, investigate leaks and punish offenders.

Nevertheless, the repeated occurrence of examination leaks raises difficult questions. If anti-corruption measures are effective, why do similar scandals continue to emerge? Why do students and parents repeatedly fear that examination results may be compromised? These concerns suggest that stronger oversight, greater transparency and more robust accountability mechanisms are needed.

Ultimately, restoring confidence in Cameroon’s education system will require more than tightening examination security. It will require building institutions that reward integrity, punish misconduct and operate independently of political influence. Until those broader governance challenges are addressed, examination leaks are likely to remain a troubling reflection of deeper problems within the state.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

30, May 2026

Minister Nalova mobilizing schools against rising obesity and diabetes ⁰

Cameroon is stepping up nutrition education in secondary schools as part of a broader effort to improve adolescent health and prevent diseases linked to poor eating habits.

On May 28, 2026, education, health, and development stakeholders gathered in Yaoundé to review the first results of the Sun App project, an initiative designed to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity in schools.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Secondary Education in partnership with the Research and Sustainable Development Institute (RSD Institute), assessed the program’s implementation, reviewed its early impact, and explored ways to support its gradual expansion nationwide.

During the event, Secondary Education Minister Nalova Lyonga called for concrete measures to improve students’ food environment. According to state broadcaster CRTV, she recommended the creation of healthy school cafeterias, the introduction of electronic payment systems, or “cash wallets,” to help students access balanced meals, and the development of school gardens on campus.

For education officials, these measures are intended to go beyond awareness campaigns. The goal is to create school environments that encourage healthier eating habits while engaging students in practical activities related to nutrition and well-being. Sun App, short for Scaling Up Healthy Nutrition to Adolescents and Pregnant Women, was officially launched on December 4, 2024, in Ntui, located in the Mbam-and-Kim division of Cameroon’s Center Region.

The program is gradually expanding to several municipalities, including Yaoundé IV. Its objective is to improve dietary habits among adolescents while encouraging physical activity throughout school communities.

The initiative is built around two main pillars: nutrition education and the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and conditions linked to malnutrition. By targeting students at an early age, program organizers hope to address unhealthy behaviors before they become deeply rooted.

The approach reflects a widely shared view among public health experts that schools are one of the most effective places to influence youth behavior. Schools not only provide knowledge but also help establish daily routines around nutrition, exercise, and healthy living.

The current effort builds on a partnership between the Ministry of Secondary Education and the RSD Institute that began in 2018. The agreement was renewed on August 19, 2025, to strengthen primary prevention efforts within the education system, particularly in secondary schools. A few weeks later, on September 2, 2025, stakeholders in Yaoundé validated a National Strategy for Nutrition Education in Schools. The framework aims to harmonize interventions, strengthen awareness campaigns, and improve coordination among programs operating across the country.

For education and health authorities, the issue now extends far beyond school meals. The broader objective is to position schools as a frontline defense against the rise of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. These illnesses were once associated primarily with adults, but they are increasingly affecting younger populations, especially in urban areas where eating habits are changing rapidly.

Through Sun App, Cameroon hopes to establish a culture of prevention from an early age. However, the program’s success will depend on several factors, including sustainable financing for healthy school meal programs, support from local governments, family participation, teacher training, and the creation of monitoring systems capable of measuring real changes in student behavior.

Ultimately, the project’s impact will depend less on workshops and policy recommendations than on its ability to change everyday practices within schools. In that sense, Sun App is both a public health initiative and a test of Cameroon’s ability to make nutrition education a lasting part of its education system.

Source: Sbbc

28, May 2026

Kenya: Fire in girls’ school dorm kills 16 ⁰

The fire broke out shortly before 1:00 am local time at Utumishi Girls Academy in Nakuru County, around 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of the capital Nairobi, officials said.

There have been many devastating school fires in Kenya, where boarding schools are common as a colonial legacy of missionaries and the British.

“We have 16 fatalities. It’s an unfortunate incident,” education minister Julius Migos Ogamba told reporters at the scene, without giving ages for the victims.

The affected dormitory had shattered windows, blackened walls and a crumpled corrugated iron roof, an AFP journalist saw.

Parents of the victims were in the process of being informed by health workers at the site mid-afternoon as bodies were identified.

A distraught mother, Leila Matura, 52, said her 18-year-old daughter was still missing.

“We went to the hospital to see if she is there, she is not there. So they are telling us, she is not around, she is among the missing,” she told AFP.

“Whether she is dead or alive, we do not know. I’m hopeless,” she added.

Another mother, who did not wish to be named, said her 17-year-old daughter was in hospital.

“She broke both her legs jumping from the window. Thank God she is strong. It is every mother’s nightmare,” she said.

The school is linked to the National Police Service and most pupils are the children of officers.

“When we arrived, the fire was still blazing. It was so big… It took about 45 minutes to extinguish the flames because of the mattresses inside,” a firefighter, who identified himself only as Fred because he was not authorised to speak to the press, told AFP.

–‘Unimaginable tragedy’-

Authorities say they are still investigating the cause of the fire.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their beloved daughters,” President William Ruto said on X, describing it as an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Children have been accused of deliberately starting school fires in Kenya in the past. One report found there were 63 arson cases at schools in 2018 alone.

Pupils were accused after a 2001 dormitory fire in the southern county of Machakos killed 67.

On Thursday the education minister said the ministry had closed around 350 schools since 2024 for failing to comply with safety standards.

“We will continue inspections to ensure that our schools meet the safety standards” in force, he pledged.

Source: AFP

22, April 2026

Cameroon PhD nuisance: academic dwarfs and jokes on steroids ⁰

On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched a war against Iran. The war was expected to be short and decisive. It has proven to be anything but a cakewalk. Following a two-week ceasefire that ended today, President Trump now finds himself in an awkward strategic predicament. Opposite him stands Iran, a nation subjected to forty-seven years of sanctions, yet one that has nonetheless cultivated a remarkably sophisticated indigenous missile and drone capability. That capability is not an accident; it is the product of sustained domestic investment in technical education. Iran’s success in this conflict is tied to a large cohort of PhDs trained in fields such as science, nuclear physics, mathematics, and engineering. For over four decades, economic isolation was meant to constrain Iran, yet it has instead compelled self-reliance, yielding technological capacities that now present a tangible challenge to US military dominance.

In Iran, the world is witnessing what a strong cohort of PhDs can do for a nation. But by some strange happenstance in Cameroon and deep within the Cameroonian diaspora, PhD has become something of a national embarrassment bordering on farce. The recent anxiety around doctoral inflation prompted the 92-year-old Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Paul Biya, to instruct the country’s Minister of Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, to clarify that only state universities are authorized to award doctorates.

Minister Fame Ndongo also warned that students enrolling in offshore online programs do so entirely at their own risk. The concern from the head of state is not difficult to understand in a country with weak infrastructure and unreliable internet connectivity. With poor internet connectivity, how can any genuine student conduct credible online doctoral research?

The minister’s intervention reads as an indictment of an industry that has turned the highest academic qualification into a purchasable title. In Cameroon, the doctorate has become a kind of lifestyle accessory like a watch or Smartphone. The flourishing trade in imported and distance-learning PhDs has become a recurring topic in Aghem, Bakweri, Nso, Manyu, Mankon, Metta, Bakossi, Oroko, Lebialem, Bali, Nkwen and Bafaw culture and development meetings, wake-keeps, naming ceremonies and social gatherings stretching from Toronto to Maryland and from London to Amsterdam. The PhD palaver in Cameroon is now a diaspora community fixation. In fact, it is an inside joke that has ceased to be funny.

Gone are the days when Cameroon’s intellectual landscape was defined by scholars whose achievements carried unquestioned weight and global respect, with figures like Dr Ako Defang Mengot, forged in the rigour of Harvard University and Professor Bernard Fonlon, whose doctorate in Literature from Sorbonne University reflected both depth and distinction. Today, we have Professor Carlson Anyangwe of Walter Sisulu University, who is grounded in the scholarly tradition of the University of London. For these giants, a PhD was a culmination of intellectual discipline, sacrifice and original contribution to knowledge. Today, that standard has fallen miserably and what remains is a hollow imitation of excellence, where the appearance of intellect is celebrated but its substance is increasingly rare.

Distance-learning institutions have emerged offering doctorate programs as easy to enrol in as gym memberships. In Cameroon diaspora circles, individuals with a questionable grasp of written or spoken French and English now brandish doctoral titles acquired from mushroom online colleges in the US, Pakistan, India and many obscure parts of the globe. The subjects’ and doctoral theses are often as weightless as the process bearing little relation to serious scholarship aimed at advancing knowledge or improving society.

Now, contrast Cameroon with a country like Iran, where the expansion of doctoral education has been rapid but not frivolous. Iranian universities have, over the past two decades, produced large numbers of PhDs in engineering, medicine and the natural sciences. These are not disciplines one typically completes online while working in care homes in Minnesota or Leicester. Iran faces its own challenges like bureaucratic hurdles and the ever-present tension between academic freedom and state oversight. Yet even critics would concede that a PhD in electrical engineering, nuclear physics, drone technology, or molecular biology is not a vanity exercise. One either knows the material or not as the laws of physics and science remains unimpressed by titles.

This editorial is not suggesting that only STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) deserves doctoral attention. The humanities and social sciences have long produced insights as vital as any laboratory breakthrough. The issue is not the field, but the standard. A rigorous PhD in philosophy or Law from an accredited institution is no less demanding than one in physics. A superficial PhD in any discipline, however, remains precisely superficial.

The purpose of PhDs in Cameroon is not intellectual contribution but to cause people headaches at wake keeps, birthday parties and village meetings where the title “Doctor” is utilized to polish egos. A few years ago, the preferred social currency in Manyu, a constituency in Cameroon, once renowned for academic aptitude, was the title of Sessekou. That of the Nso people was Shey! Today, it is a doctor.

Sadly, in Cameroon circles at home and in the diaspora, a PhD is now a lightweight, portable social accessory. In Iran, it remains closer to what it was always meant to be, a demanding intellectual apprenticeship culminating in a contribution to human knowledge.

President Paul Biya’s intervention is an attempt to restore credibility to doctoral qualifications within the Cameroon community at home and abroad. It is a reminder that a PhD was meant to be difficult, time-consuming, and profitable to society.

In Iran, whatever one thinks of its politics or strategic posture, doctoral education has not been reduced to a public spectacle. It’s PhDs in engineering, physics, mathematics and related fields are not ceremonial titles but functional assets embedded in the architecture of modern warfare. In the ongoing conflict, Iran’s indigenous missile systems, drone swarms, and electronic capabilities are not improvised miracles; they are the downstream product of sustained technical training and research culture. In that sense, the PhD is not a vanity badge but a component of national capability translated from university auditoriums into battlefields. We thank the Head of State for his timely intervention on this matter of national emergency.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

11, April 2026

Nalova Lyonga adjusts academic calendar to match rescheduled school games ⁰

Cameroon has adjusted the start date of the third school term, delaying the return to class for secondary school students by nearly a week.

In an April 9 statement, Secondary Education Minister Nalova Lyonga announced that the term, initially set to begin on April 21, will now start on Monday, April 27, 2026.

The change is tied to the rescheduling of the national finals of the Fenassco League A school games, now set to take place from April 19 to 26 in Bafoussam and Bangangté, in the West region. The competitions were originally planned for April 8 to 15 but were postponed on government instructions, requiring an adjustment to the academic calendar.

Authorities say the decision is meant to balance school sports activities with academic continuity. The Fenassco games, which bring together thousands of students from across the country each year, are seen as a key platform for promoting school sports and identifying young talent.

However, the delay is expected to affect the organization of teaching schedules. To address this, the minister has instructed regional education officials to organize catch-up classes in all secondary schools.

The aim is to preserve instructional hours and ensure that the 2025–2026 academic calendar remains on track, particularly as the final term is critical for national exams.

School administrators, teachers, students, and parents have been urged to strictly follow the revised schedule to ensure the smooth completion of the academic year.

The adjustment comes as the school year enters its final phase, under the framework set by the joint order issued in August 2025 by the ministries of Basic and Secondary Education.

Source: Sbbc

10, April 2026

CPDM Crime Syndicate: PhD selection list sparks protests and claims of unfairness ⁰

The publication of a list of 600 selected PhD candidates for admission into Cameroon’s 11 state universities has triggered mixed reactions, with celebrations among successful applicants but protests and allegations of unfairness from those left out.

The list, published by the ministry of higher education recently following validation by the scientific councils of the universities, comes two months after applications were submitted via an official notice.

While those selected view their admission as a long-awaited opportunity to join the country’s academic community, critics argue that the limited intake risks deepening inequalities in access to doctoral education.

The responses to the list also come against the backdrop of the suspension of PhD programmes in July 2024 at all Cameroonian institutions after the ministry expressed concern over the financial implication and academic readiness of institutions to provide PhD education. Many candidates have had to put their applications on hold while waiting for the resumption of PhD programmes.

Celebration and opportunity

Abdoulaye Nfor of the University of Bamenda, who was selected for a PhD in chemical pathology, described his inclusion on the list as a personal milestone.

“It’s finally a dream come true. I have been looking forward to carrying out my research on the assessment of lead and cadmium exposure and associated metabolic dysfunction in mining communities in Cameroon,” he told University World News.

Selected students will start their PhD training from this month (April 2026). A notice from the vice-chancellor of the University of Buea instructed admitted candidates to report for classes on 6 April, according to a public notice.

Limited access and criticism

However, students and academics say the selection of only 600 candidates from more than 5,000 applicants nationwide leaves many qualified candidates without opportunities.

“The selection of just 600 out of over 5,000 applicants nationally is a complete denial of access to this prestigious level of academic qualification,” said Professor Mathias Eric Owona Nguini of the University of Yaoundé I.

“A PhD is the pinnacle of academic achievement, symbolising a profound commitment to research and scholarship that any brilliant student dreams of. Denial is an injustice,” he told University World News.

Some unsuccessful applicants have criticised what they describe as a lack of transparency in the selection process.

“While other countries are improving their research ecosystems by increasing the number of young researchers, our higher education policy is, instead, limiting. This is a big setback,” said Oumarou Dika, a PhD applicant at the University of Ngaoundéré.

Philip Ebontane, who applied to the University of Buea, also questioned the outcome.

“The selection process to me is doubtful. After obtaining my BSc and masters degrees in mass communication and corporate communication respectively from the University of Buea with excellent grades some five years ago, I see no reason why my application for a PhD programme was not accepted,” he said.

Allegations and official response

According to media reports, unsuccessful applicants from the University of Yaoundé I have lodged a collective complaint with Jacques Fame Ndongo, the Minister of Higher Education, alleging favouritism and lack of merit in the selection process. In a letter cited in the report, students warned of possible protests if no explanation is provided.

“By denying us the fundamental right to education, we are being pushed towards revolt and despair,” the students wrote.

The allegations follow an earlier statement by the rector of the University of Ngaoundéré in February 2026 warning against rumours of corruption involving members of the scientific council responsible for the selection.

However, Ndongo rejected claims of irregularities, stating that the selection process was based on merit.

“The selection operation was done on the basis of merit and the quality of research projects presented in line with the country’s SND30 development vision,” the minister said in a press release.

University authorities have encouraged unsuccessful candidates to reapply in future selection rounds.

“We could not select students above the quota of 60 set by the ministry of higher education. Contrary to claims by some non-selected students, the scientific council did its best in the selection procedure based strictly on merit,” said Professor Remy Magloire Etoua, rector of the University of Yaoundé I, speaking on state radio on 27 March 2026.

Calls for broader reform

Experts say the controversy highlights deeper structural challenges in Cameroon’s higher education system, including limited capacity for doctoral training and insufficient investment in research.

A report by Africa Online & Publications notes that Cameroon’s universities lag in global rankings due to political interference, underfunding and outdated curricula.

“Integrating doctoral reforms with investments in teacher training, digitalisation and research grants would create a more holistic system,” the report states.

It adds that, while the expansion of doctoral programmes is a positive step, long-term success will depend on sustained investment and structural reform.

“Stakeholders, including government, universities and international partners, must prioritise sustainable funding, infrastructure and inclusive policies to transform challenges into opportunities,” the report recommends.

Culled from University World News

3, April 2026

Cameroon, Switzerland sign MoU positioning Obala Institute as Central Africa Agri-Research Hub ⁰

Cameroon and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Yaounde, marking a new phase of agricultural cooperation and positioning the Agricultural Institute of Obala (IAO) as a key partner in research, training and agribusiness in Central Africa. Signed on March 25 at the Swiss Residence, the agreement brings together the IAO and three Swiss institutions: Agroscope, FiBL and the Fondation Rurale Interjurassienne (FRI). The ceremony, held during a reception for Switzerland’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda, was attended by senior Cameroonian officials on the sidelines of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

The MoU establishes a framework to deepen technical cooperation by facilitating the mobility of researchers and students, strengthening institutional linkages and expanding joint research programmes. It designates the IAO as Switzerland’s main partner for agricultural research in Central Africa and builds on more than two decades of cooperation with the Obala-based institute, which currently trains over 2,000 students.

The partnership is expected to enhance capacity development in agronomy, support knowledge transfer in organic and productivity-focused farming systems, and reinforce links between training institutions and Swiss companies operating in Cameroon. The focus on research, training and applied innovation aligns with efforts to improve agricultural productivity, value chains and market access, areas considered critical to the sector’s economic contribution.

Speaking at the event, Switzerland’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, highlighted the shared priorities underpinning the partnership.

“As we do not have as much land as Africa, we focus on productivity so that agriculture benefits the farmer and their business. We have understood that education is crucial for success. That is why we share common ideals with the IAO, which has a long tradition in agriculture and in training young people,” she said.

On his part, the founding director of the IAO, Louis Ndjie, underscored the operational approach of the partnership, stating: “What is interesting with Swiss cooperation is that it works over the long term. They are very demanding in terms of quality and governance.”

According to officials, the agreement comes at a time when Cameroon is seeking to strengthen its agricultural sector through improved yields, skills development and integration into regional and international value chains. The designation of the IAO as a regional partner also positions the institute as a hub for collaboration with international stakeholders, with potential spillovers for agribusiness development and employment.

The initiative extends longstanding bilateral ties between Cameroon and Switzerland into areas with direct economic relevance for food production, trade and rural enterprise development.

Source: Business in Cameroon

7, March 2026

Why London is suspending Cameroonian student visas despite low asylum application volume ⁰

The British government’s decision on 4 March 2026 to impose a “visa brake” targeting, among others, Cameroon continues to raise questions. Official statistics from the UK Home Office indicate that the Central African country does not rank among the main nationalities applying for asylum in the United Kingdom. Yet London has decided to suspend sponsored student visas for Cameroonian nationals, citing a sharp rise in asylum claims from individuals who entered the country through certain legal migration routes.

Shortly after the announcement, the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matt Woods, said in a statement that “from 26 March 2026, visa applications from Cameroonian nationals under the Student Visa category will be refused under the ‘Visa Brake’ mechanism introduced by the British government for certain visa routes.”

He later explained in a video message that more than 30% of Cameroonians who obtained a student visa over the past two years subsequently applied for asylum, thereby breaching the conditions of their visa.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FUKinCameroon%2Fposts%2Fpfbid09Xo5fCrVTnhwr8EwvZ8kC3FueJi5ptGvkBG8sUtodMc3FED8hLF8XonHRjWtN8Egl&show_text=true&width=500

UK Home Office data for 2025 shows most asylum applications are from Pakistan (10,638), Eritrea (8,948), Iran (7,419), and Afghanistan (6,462), with several other countries also exceeding 5,000 applications.

Conversely, Cameroon does not appear in the Top 20 nationalities with the most asylum applications. Cameroonian nationals are grouped in the “Other” category, which includes all nationalities, each of which represents a smaller volume of applications.

This statistical reality raises a central question: why is London targeting Cameroon when its overall weight in asylum applications remains relatively limited?

Top 20 Nationalities Applying for Asylum in the UK in 2025

Rank	Nationality	Asylum Applications	Initial Decisions	Protections Granted	Refusals	Acceptance Rate
1	Pakistan	10 638	16 054	5 201	10 853	35%
2	Eritrea	8 948	10 017	8 748	1 269	87%
3	Iran	7 419	11 487	7 113	4 374	58%
4	Afghanistan	6 462	11 946	4 616	7 330	34%
5	Bangladesh	6 247	8 981	1 174	7 807	16%
6	Sudan	5 869	7 450	7 029	421	94%
7	India	5 751	4 095	23	4 072	0%
8	Somalia	4 777	3 330	1 237	2 093	35%
9	Nigeria	2 904	3 623	856	2 767	28%
10	Vietnam	2 428	3 515	659	2 856	19%
11	Brazil	2 416	1 592	14	1 578	1%
12	Iraq	2 370	4 252	1 284	2 968	29%
13	Sri Lanka	2 243	4 114	1 090	3 024	29%
14	Ethiopia	2 096	2 065	1 189	876	57%
15	Syria	1 959	660	64	596	9%
16	Turkey	1 883	4 988	977	4 011	19%
17	Albania	1 816	1 874	121	1 753	5%
18	Yemen	1 776	2 594	2 506	88	97%
19	Ukraine	1 503	2 040	256	1 784	12%
20	China	1 471	1 717	230	1 487	11%

At the same time, student visas issued to Cameroonians remain relatively modest, hovering around a few hundred per year. Data from the UK Home Office indicates, for example:

Year	Number of Applications
2018	262
2019	262
2020	249
2021	437
2022	520
2023	489
2024	455
2025*	507

A Decision Based on Ratios Rather Than Volume

The explanation provided by the Home Office is not based on the total volume of asylum applications, but on their recent trends and the entry routes used. The British government claims to have observed a sharp increase in asylum claims lodged by people who entered the UK legally, particularly with student visas.

Authorities indicate that student applications from nationals of four countries — Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan — reportedly increased by more than 470% between 2021 and 2025.

According to Home Office statements, student applications from Cameroonian nationals rose by more than 330% over the same period. However, detailed data on the exact number of Cameroonian students who applied for asylum is not published on the UK Home Office website. Digital Business Africa will return to this question in a future article.

Nevertheless, a cross-analysis of Home Office data provides additional insight. Statistics show that the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK — i.e., ‘In Country’ applications lodged by main applicants (students, tourists, workers, or other statuses) — rose from around 101 cases in 2021 to 544 in 2025.

When comparing these two statistical series, a particular phenomenon emerges. In 2024 and 2025, the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK exceeded the number of student visas issued during those same years.

In 2024, for example, 478 ‘In Country’ asylum applications were recorded for 455 student visas issued. In 2025, statistics indicate 544 asylum applications for 507 student visas issued (data available up to September).

This unusually high ratio appears to be one of the main warning signals for the British authorities.

Comparative Table: Cameroon vs. Nigeria Asylum Applications by UK Residents (students, tourists, workers, or other statuses)

Year	Cameroon	Nigeria
2010	80	716
2011	76	657
2012	104	863
2013	111	882
2014	125	860
2015	129	880
2016	147	1130
2017	205	1013
2018	185	802
2019	214	818
2020	102	480
2021	101	490
2022	218	667
2023	167	704
2024	478	1721
2025	544	1846

Cameroon Ratio: Student Visas vs. Asylum Applications

Year	Student Visas	Asylum Applications	Asylum / Visa Ratio
2018	262	185	71 %
2019	262	214	82 %
2020	249	102	41 %
2021	437	101	23 %
2022	520	218	42 %
2023	489	167	34 %
2024	455	478	105 %
2025 (jusqu’en septembre 2025)	507	544	107 %

NB: Asylum applications include all Cameroonians in the UK.

Until 2023, asylum applications remained lower than the number of student visas issued. A cross-analysis of Home Office statistics shows that in 2024 and 2025, the number of asylum applications lodged by Cameroonians already present in the UK exceeded the number of student visas issued during those same years. This unusually high ratio, even on a relatively limited overall volume, could explain the British authorities’ decision to restrict access to student visas for this nationality.

A Striking Contrast with Nigeria

Comparison with other African countries further illuminates the British government’s logic. Nigeria, for example, is one of the main nationalities of students in the UK.

Home Office data indicates that over 58,000 student visas were issued to Nigerians in 2022. Even after a recent decline, the country still accounts for more than 25,000 student visas in 2025 (data up to September).

At the same time, asylum applications lodged by Nigerians already present in the UK remain low. In 2025, there were 1,846 ‘In Country – Main Applicant’ asylum applications for over 25,000 student visas issued, a ratio of about 7%.

Nigeria Ratio: Student Visas vs. Asylum Applications

Year	Student Visas	Asylum Applications	Asylum / Visa Ratio
2018	5641	802	14 %
2019	7027	818	12 %
2020	9876	480	5 %
2021	27011	490	2 %
2022	58673	667	1 %
2023	40869	704	2 %
2024	21109	1721	8 %
2025 (jusqu’en septembre 2025)	25362	1846	7 %

For Cameroon, however, this ratio exceeds 100% in some years, meaning that recorded asylum applications can be comparable to, or even greater than, the number of student visas issued.

Revealing Comparison of Cameroon vs. Nigeria Ratios

Année	Ratio Cameroun	Ratio Nigeria
2022	42 %	1 %
2023	34 %	2 %
2024	105 %	8 %
2025	107 %	7 %

In other words, even if the total number of Cameroonian students in the UK remains low, the proportion of asylum applications among people already present in the country appears significantly higher.

A Transformation of the British Asylum System

This situation is part of a broader transformation of the British asylum system. According to the Home Office, nearly 39% of asylum applications lodged in the UK in 2025 now come from people who entered the territory legally, particularly with student or work visas.

Ministry statistics indicate that in the year ending December 2025, 39,095 asylum applicants held a visa or another form of leave before applying.

Among them:

35% held a work visa
32% held a student visa
19% held a visitor visa
14% held other forms of leave

These figures illustrate a major shift: a growing share of asylum applications now comes from people who entered the UK legally.

Why This Topic Also Concerns the African Digital Ecosystem

Beyond migration issues, this matter also concerns the African tech ecosystem. A significant portion of African students going to the UK choose courses in technology-related fields, including computer science, data science, engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

According to statistics from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), international students in the UK are mainly concentrated in fields such as Business and Management, Computing/IT, Engineering, and Social Sciences, which are among the most popular courses in British universities.

For many Cameroonian students, British universities thus represent a pathway to acquiring advanced technological skills that are subsequently valued in the digital, telecommunications, fintech, and innovation sectors.

The British decision to suspend certain student visas could therefore have implications beyond migration issues, also impacting the educational paths of many young Africans in key fields such as technology and digital skills.

This is also why Digital Business Africa, a media outlet specialised in ICT, telecommunications, and innovation news in Africa, is interested in this decision and its possible effects on the development of training and the exchange of digital skills between Africa and major international tech hubs.

A Measure That Raises Questions About the Coherence of Immigration Policy

Despite London’s explanations, the decision still raises questions. While Cameroon has a high ratio of student visas to asylum applications, the overall number remains much lower than that of several other nationalities in the British asylum system.

The question posed thus extends beyond the Cameroonian case alone. Why opt to suspend access to student visas for an entire nationality instead of directly addressing the individual cases where student visa holders seek asylum after arriving in the UK? And why is such a measure implemented while other countries, like Nigeria, continue to send tens of thousands of students to British universities each year?

Beyond the migration debate, this decision reveals a deeper shift: the global politics of education and talent. For twenty years, major Anglo-Saxon universities have become key training hubs for the scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial elites of the Global South.

In this context, student visa policies are no longer solely concerned with the administrative management of migration. They also function as instruments of economic, scientific, and geopolitical policy.

The British decision, therefore, prompts a wider question for Africa: in a world where major powers are gradually tightening their immigration policies, how will countries on the continent continue to train, attract, and retain the technological skills on which their digital transformation depends?

For British universities, African students, and the continent’s emerging digital ecosystems, the evolution of these policies could well herald a new phase in the global competition for talent.

Culled from : Digital Business Africa by Queen Besumbu Agbaw