With just weeks to go before Cameroon’s presidential election on October 12, the country’s youth who make up more than 60% of the population are caught between optimism for change and frustration over persistent economic hardship. Official figures put youth unemployment at 6.23% in 2024, but in reality, many young Cameroonians struggle with underemployment, unstable jobs, and a lack of opportunities in a country where more than one in three people lives in poverty.
“We are just hoping that things get better because the situation of the country is getting tough by the day,” said Chindo Neola, a hairstylist in Yaoundé. “Whoever wins the election should address the problems citizens are facing.” Others see the election as a rare chance to shape the country’s future. “It is my birthright,” said youth leader Yoh Blaise Mawoh. “This is the time to decide the fate of this country for the next seven years, and I am going in with a lot of optimism.”
But patience is wearing thin. “We are at the elastic limit of patience to live under the leadership of one person,” said Fabrice Lena, head of a youth empowerment organization. “We are going to cast the vote of hope come 12 October 2025.” Analysts say young voters could prove decisive if they mobilize and demand transparency. Still, some caution that Cameroon’s youth remain fragmented and less organized compared to movements like Nigeria’s #EndSARS.
The stakes are high. President Paul Biya, 93, has ruled since 1982 and is the world’s oldest sitting head of state. Despite speculation about his health, he announced in July that he will seek another term. For many young Cameroonians, the upcoming vote is less about politics as usual and more about whether their generation can finally translate its demographic strength into real political power.
