From Slogans To Action: Employment Forum Charts Path For Marginalized Workers

The inaugural National Forum on Inclusive Employment (Forum National de l'Emploi Inclusif, FONAEI 2026) officially closed in the Yaoundé Conference Centre on July 23, 2026. It was organized by the Active Synergy Association (Association Synergie Active, SYNAC) under the high patronage of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, MINEFOP.

Barriers To Vulnerable Workforce

The two-day summit brought together government representatives, digital tech specialists, civil society leaders, and young job seekers. To address the systemic barriers facing vulnerable and disabled people in Cameroon's workforce.

Financing Inclusion

Eric Didier Edang Mengala, Chairman of the FONAEI 2026 Organizing Committee and President of Synergie Active, outlined the core outcomes of the forum's flagship panel on inclusive finance in Cameroon. Panelists concluded that a primary reason vulnerable people struggle to secure capital or employment is not a total lack of resources. But a severe lack of accessible information, combined with a lack of proactive engagement.

Corporate Readiness

Funding mechanisms and institutional partners exist, Mengala noted, but opportunities do not manifest automatically. Candidates and entrepreneurs must actively target these environments. He emphasized that companies must build awareness and take on the responsibility of providing modified facilities for workers with special needs. Noting that economic expansion relies on deploying every individual according to their true skill set.

Edang disclosed that Synergie Active self-funded the forum alongside select key partners, including the National Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Yaounde; TMK Synergie and Yiwa. Mengala delivered a direct appeal to government bodies to provide sustained financial backing for future FONAEI editions. Stressing that organizing such a large-scale multi-stakeholder forum requires resources that civil society associations cannot bear alone.

Financing Opportunities Are There!

"Funding exists, opportunities are available, but they don't come on their own - it's up to vulnerable and people with disabilities to go toward these environments... Development can only happen if everyone is used according to their skills," noted Eric Didier Edang Mengala, President of Synergie Active.

Digital Technology For The Vulnerable

Mr. Emo Joël from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL) delivered a presentation titled, "The Expansion of Digital Technology for Inclusive Employment in Cameroon." Emo said employment for vulnerable populations and persons with disabilities is a priority for the government. And digital technology serves as the primary cross-cutting tool to integrate these groups into the labor market.

Telework For Inclusion

Digital tools - specifically teleworking infrastructure and e-commerce applications - allow individuals with physical disabilities to reach customers and perform job duties remotely. Without facing transportation barriers, Emo underscored. He noted that embracing digital technology requires continuous skill training and project maturation. Before job seekers can seamlessly transition into the economy.

According to Emo Joël, a central challenge remains the digital divide in rural areas. The state must continue expanding connectivity infrastructure to underserved rural populations so they can access digital employment opportunities.

Inclusive Digital Training

Miss Ntsam Solange from the Human Resources Department at the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) spoke on, "The Expansion of Digital Technology in Inclusive Training." Miss Ntsam highlighted the psychological barriers faced by persons living with disabilities. Particularly the social stigma and family prejudice that treat them as incapable of meaningful effort.

Debunking Social Stigma

She stressed that having a disability simply means having a different set of abilities to develop. To illustrat...