[Cameroon] Supporting 'Africa in miniature' with human resources development

July 22, 2019

Cameroon is known as a major African football country. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by Japan and South Korea, the Cameroon national team had its training camp in the former village of Nakatsue, Oita Prefecture, a fact that got a lot of attention. This country, which faces the Gulf of Guinea in western Africa, has different natural features including tropical rainforest, savannas and a steppe climate, and more than 270 ethnic groups live there. Because of its natural environment and cultural diversity, it is sometimes called "Africa in miniature."

In Cameroon, JICA is focused on developing human resources for industry and math-and-science education, stimulating SMEs through "kaizen," and agricultural assistance including the Promotion of Rice Development Project. This is in line with the three development pillars adopted at TICAD. Moreover, through JICA, Cameroon's exchanges with Oita Prefecture have lead to new assistance and business development.

It's all made possible by people. Human resource development in Cameroon is both achieving sustainable growth there and giving rise to regional revitalization in Japan. With the circle of people we connect, JICA is aiming for a developing partnership between Cameroon and Japan.

Photo

A Japanese expert explains rice growing methods.