From Literacy To Empowerment: 18,000 Cameroonians Acquire Reading Skills In Local Languages

On April 24, 2026, the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) will formally present its 2025 Annual Report. Ahead of this highly anticipated event, Dr. Keyeh Emmanuel Lufang, the General Director of CABTAL, sat down with Cameroon Tribune Online to discuss a year characterized by what he describes as "steady progress and consolidation."

Identity, Literacy, Spiritual Awakening
In a nation as linguistically diverse as Cameroon - often referred to as "Africa in miniature" - the work of CABTAL transcends mere academic linguistics. It is a mission of identity, literacy, and spiritual awakening. The 2025 report paints a picture of an organization that has not only survived the logistical and security challenges of the Central African sub-region, but has thrived, bringing the "Word of God" to the very doorsteps of communities that have long waited to hear it in their own voices.

The "10 10 2" Campaign 
Perhaps the most striking achievement of the past year is the progress of the "10 10 2" Campaign. Launched with the ambitious goal of starting work in 10 new languages and organizing 10 Bible dedications within a two-year window, the campaign has become a symbol of CABTAL’s accelerated momentum.
"In 2025, we witnessed the successful launch and execution of this campaign," Dr. Lufang noted. "The Moghamo, Bakweri, Nulibie, Esu, and Weh New Testaments were dedicated. These are not just books; they are the culmination of years of prayer, scholarship, and community sacrifice."
The impact of these dedications is profound. For the Moghamo or Bakweri speakers, seeing the New Testament in their own syntax and vocabulary is a validation of their culture. It signals that their language is not a "dialect" of the past, but a vessel for the most sacred of truths. Furthermore, Dr. Lufang revealed that final discussions have commenced for work in the Mbuk, Mbessa, and Messaka languages, ensuring that the pipeline of translation remains full.

Foundation Of Sustainable Development
While Bible translation is the "North Star" of CABTAL’s mission, Dr. Lufang was quick to emphasize that translation cannot exist in a vacuum. A Bible is only as powerful as the community’s ability to read it. To this end, CABTAL’s 2025 literacy statistics are staggering.
The organization ran 512 literacy classes across all 10 regions of Cameroon. These classes served 18,319 learners - a diverse group ranging from youth who missed formal schooling to elderly community members eager to read the Scriptures for themselves. Of these, 4,007 learners successfully graduated, having mastered the art of reading and writing in their mother tongues.
"We want to see communities using their languages for sustainable development," Dr. Lufang explained. Literacy in the mother tongue is often the "bridge" to literacy in official languages like French or English, and it provides a sense of agency that is essential for local economic and social growth.

Resilience In Conflict Zones
The 2025 reporting year is not without its shadows. Cameroon continues to face internal pressures, particularly in the North West, South West, and Far North Regions. These areas, plagued by socio-political crises and security threats, present a unique challenge to an organization whose work depends on field access and community gathering.
Dr. Lufang addressed these challenges with a mixture of realism and resolve. "We continue to navigate the challenge of serving crisis-affected communities," he stated. "To address this, we have strengthened our partnership approach, working more closely with local communities and church networks to ensure continuity of work even in difficult contexts."
By decentralizing their operations and leaning on local "ownership," CABTAL has managed to keep the wheels of translation turning even when external staff cannot easily access certain villages. The use of digital tools and improved departmental coordination has allowed for a "remote but connected" model of linguistics that is now a blueprint for other NGOs operating in conflict zones.

Capacity Building, Missional Complex
A recurrent theme in Dr. Lufang’s overview was the professionalization of the mission. CABTAL invested significantly in its human capital in 2025, providing technical training in linguistics, Scripture engagement, communication, and digital literacy.
Supporting this professional growth is the CABTAL Missional Complex in Yaounde. This strategic infrastructure project has transitioned from a vision to a functional reality. "The complex is already in use," Dr. Lufang confirmed. "It has hosted several international meetings and conferences organized by both our partners and the church. It is envisioned as a hub that will support training and coordination for the entire region."
The complex represents CABTAL’s shift toward institutional sustainability. By having a world-class facility to host training and regional summits, CABTAL reduces its reliance on external venues and creates a centralized "brain trust" for Bible translation in Central Africa.

The 2026 Roadmap
Dr Lufang’s presentation on April 24, 2026 will not just look backward; it will set the stage for a frantic and fruitful 2026. He outlined an immediate-term plan that includes:
•    Accelerating translation in 62 different language groups.
•    Printing and dedicating 11 completed New Testaments.
•    Launching translation in nine brand-new languages.
•    The Mofu Gudur Milestone: The Far North Region will celebrate the dedication of the complete Bible in the Mofu Gudur language.
•    A Wave of New Testaments: 11 languages, including Bamboko, Bafaw, Balong, Gavar, Buwal, Mbudum, Moloko, Numala, Tuki, Nuasue, and Mengako, are slated for New Testament dedications.
Long-term, the vision is even broader. Dr. Lufang envisions a Cameroon where every community has access to Scripture in a format they can use - be it printed, audio, or digital. This "multi-modal" approach recognizes that in the 21st Century, the "Word" must live on smartphones and radio waves just as much as on paper.
    
Call For Partnership
As the interview concluded, Dr. Lufang’s tone was one of deep gratitude. He emphasized that the achievements of 2025 were not the work of one man or one office. But a "collective impact" of churches, international partners, and the local speakers who invite CABTAL into their communities. "Each milestone recorded in the report represents real lives impacted, communities strengthened, and hope restored," he said.
As delegates gather in Yaounde on April 24, 2026 to review the full 2025 CABTAL Annual Report, the message is clear: CABTAL is no longer just translating books. They are translating a future for Cameroon where every language is honored, every person is literate, and every heart can hear the Divine in the language it knows best.
The upcoming presentation is expected to draw leaders from the ecclesiastical, traditional, and governmental sectors, all eager to see how CABTAL’s model of "Language for Development" can continue to serve as a pillar of national unity and progress.

Resilience In Conflict Zones
The 2025 reporting year is not without its shadows. Cameroon continues to face internal pressures, particularly in the North West, South West, and Far North Regions. These areas, plagued by socio-political crises and security threats, present a unique challenge to an organization whose work depends on field access and community gathering.
Dr. Lufang addressed these challenges with...