Introduction
Social protection programmes in Cameroon have long been designed as safety nets, but they often fail to address the structural inequalities that make women and youth economically dependent. The conventional approach, characterised by fragmented cash transfers, sporadic subsidies and underfunded vocational training fails to break the cycle of poverty. Rather, it promotes a culture of dependence rather than empowerment. While these programmes aim to provide financial relief, they do not create sustainable opportunities for advancement, ( Perera et al., 2022). The lack of long-term strategies to address systemic barriers such; as access to capital, market entry barriers and workplace discrimination has left these vulnerable groups in a perpetual state of economic insecurity, (Lawal et al., 2024).
The objective of this policy brief is to critically examine the effectiveness of current social protection programmes in Cameroon, highlight their structural shortcomings and propose transformative strategies to convert them from palliative measures into instruments of economic liberation. A new approach that integrates financial inclusion, specific skills development and entrepreneurial support is essential to promote genuine economic autonomy for women and youth.
The Shortcomings of Existing Social Protection Programmes
Cameroon’s social protection mechanisms are largely reactive, providing temporary relief rather than sustainable economic empowerment. Women and youth face severe credit constraints due to systemic bias in financial institutions, making entrepreneurship an unattainable dream. Without accessible capital, innovative business ideas are thwarted, and economic participation stagnates. Rigid bureaucratic processes surrounding financial assistance further alienate women and youth from accessing these important resources and deepen the gap between economic potentials and financial security (Perera 2022).
Furthermore, existing vocational training programs are not aligned with labour market needs and resulting in an oversupply of low-wage workers rather than equipping individuals with relevant skills for high-growth industries. These programs are often out-dated and do not prepare participants for a rapidly evolving labour market that increasingly demands digital skills, technical expertise and business acumen. Without significant skills development, participants are confined to low-paying jobs that do little to improve their economic position, (Gaiwe 2023).
The fragmentation of these initiatives, implemented by multiple agencies without adequate coordination leads to poor allocation of resources, bureaucratic inefficiency and ineffective policy implementation. The laxity and limited objectivity in the centralised approach leads to duplication of efforts and reduces the overall effectiveness of government programs. These failures perpetuate economic stagnation rather than promoting independence and self-reliance. For social protection to serve as a genuine tool for economic transformation, a more integrated and forward-looking approach is needed.
A New Approach to Social Protection
To transform social protection into a mechanism of economic freedom, there is need for this program to face radical restructuring. Access to capital should be ensured through collateral-free, government-backed loan programs that leverage public-private partnerships. Women and youth should have access to financial instruments specifically designed to promote entrepreneurial initiatives and sustainable sources of income. Financial education should be embedded in these programs to ensure that beneficiaries can effectively manage and grow their investments, (Mouafo et al., 2024).
Vocational training programmes should shift their focus from general skills development to industry-specific and relevant training that creates jobs, not just for low-wage workers, (Clement 2020). Closer partnerships with private sector actors can tailor training programmes to current labour market needs. This ensures that graduates have the skills needed for immediate employment or starting a business. Promoting self-employment through structured business start-up programmes will further improve economic opportunities for youth and women.(Nkwi, 2018)
Direct investment in women and youth-led businesses should replace ineffective cash transfer programmes. Instead of temporary financial relief, funds should be provided for the growth of start-ups, cooperatives and innovative companies that contribute to the local economy, (Atkins et al., 2022). Support mechanisms such as mentoring, business advice and market access facilitation should be reinforced and intensified to maximise the impact of these investments. In addition, legal and policy frameworks need to be reviewed to remove barriers that prevent small businesses from thriving, including; excessive taxes, cumbersome registration processes and limited trade facilitation.
Furthermore, decentralising social protection policies and integrating AI-based transparency mechanisms can eliminate corruption and inefficiency in order to ensure effective and fair distribution of resources, (Lawal et al., 2024). A data-driven approach to social protection can improve targeting and ensure that support reaches those who need it most, while reducing leakages and inefficiencies. With modern digital solutions such as mobile banking and blockchain tracking systems, the distribution of financial aid can become more transparent and less vulnerable to mismanagement.
Policy Recommendations
Financial inclusion should be enshrined in law to ensure that women and youth receive a certain percentage of national credit allocations. This would require financial institutions to allocate a portion of their loan portfolios specifically to these groups to reduce systemic discrimination and expand access to capital. Financial institutions should also be encouraged to offer low-interest loans tailored to the needs of young entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, and that assistance through these institutions should target women and youths
Social programmes that only provide temporary relief should be phased out in favour of transformative economic empowerment initiatives. The focus should be on programmes that promote self-reliance such as; business grants, subsidised investment opportunities and access to market networks. The effectiveness of social protection measures can be further strengthened by offering economic incentives for private sector actors to engage in skills development initiatives.
A rights-based approach that guarantees economic freedom as a fundamental right should be encouraged. The constitutional framework should encourage social protection as value. Recognising economic empowerment as a legal right and not a charitable initiative will ensure sustained commitment from both the government and the private sector to promote inclusive economic growth.
The use of accountability technology through blockchain-based tracking systems can eliminate corruption in the allocation of funds and ensure that funds reach their intended recipients and are used for the intended purpose. Digital platforms that allow for real-time tracking should be developed for the tracking of social protection initiatives, enabling continuous monitoring, public scrutiny and efficient policy adjustments when necessary.
Conclusion
Cameroon is at a tipping point: maintain the status quo of social protection as a lifeline or achieve a revolutionary change that guarantees the economic autonomy of women and youth? The latter is not only an option but a necessity. Anything else will perpetuate economic slavery. The shortcomings of previous initiatives should serve as a lesson such that short-term interventions without structural reforms should know what to expect at the end
True economic freedom is about breaking out-dated structures and implementing a radical empowerment-based social protection model that challenges systemic inequalities and promotes long-term economic independence. By integrating financial inclusion, skills development and direct investment, Cameroon can break the cycle of dependency and pave the way for a prosperous and self-reliant economy. The government, the private sector and civil society must work together to implement a redefined and inclusive social protection system that goes beyond subsistence assistance and enables sustainable economic empowerment. Only through such a paradigm shift can Cameroon create a future in which women and youth are not just beneficiaries of social programmes, but active creators of economic progress.
References
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Mouafo , PT, Emmanuel, ONB, Yacoubou , B., & Danmou , BNM (2024). Public policies and the future of agriculture in Cameroon: a case study of the “Special Plan for Youth for the Year of the Tree”. Heliyón , 10 (14).
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