Cameroon’s Minister of higher Education and the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon brandish partnership agreement.
Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) has formalized a new skills-to-jobs partnership with China First Highway Engineering Company Ltd. (CFHEC), linking university training directly to the country’s infrastructure economy and graduate employability. The framework partnership agreement was signed on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, under the chairmanship of the Minister of State, in charge of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cameroon and other government officials.
Linking Higher Education to Infrastructure Growth
The agreement establishes the MINESUP-CFHEC Professional Certification Programme, a scheme designed to professionalize university education and strengthen graduates’ employability. The programme combines academic degrees with industry-recognized certification in fields linked to large-scale infrastructure construction.
According to the press release issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, the initiative focuses on professional capacity building and certification of students and graduates of higher education institutions. CFHEC certifications will add professional value to academic qualifications under the supervision of MINESUP.
The programme introduces a dual-qualification pathway, allowing learners to earn both a university degree and a professional certification aligned with industry standards.
Training under the MINESUP-CFHEC programme is structured around an innovative “70/20/10” learning model. This includes 70 per cent practical immersion on construction sites and in engineering offices, 20 per cent mentorship delivered by CFHEC experts, and 10 per cent targeted theoretical instruction.
Participants progress through five professional grades, ranging from certified worker to certified engineer, creating a structured skills ladder recognised within the construction and infrastructure sector.
Workforce Development and Economic Strategy
Through this partnership, MINESUP and CFHEC aim to contribute to skills development and the training of a national workforce capable of supporting large-scale infrastructure projects. The initiative aligns with Cameroon’s development frameworks, including Vision 2035 and the National Development Strategy (NDS30).
By linking universities with a significant infrastructure company, the programme establishes two parallel training routes: an academic qualification pathway and a professional certification pathway.
The ministry describes the initiative as a new model for the professionalisation of higher education, strengthening the connection between academia and market-leading companies while supporting the country’s long-term economic and infrastructure objectives.
China First Highway Engineering Company Ltd. is a major Chinese state-owned enterprise with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. The company specialises in transport infrastructure, including highways, railways and urban transport systems. CFHEC has constructed over 18,000 kilometres of highways globally, including around 10 per cent of expressways, with projects across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In Cameroon, the company has completed Phases 1 and 2 of the Yaounde-Douala highways. It is currently involved in several projects, including the Wouri River banks development in Douala and multiple road construction schemes.