Cameroon: Public Policy Course Equips Researchers to Influence Decision-Making

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The 2025 edition of the Nkafu Public Policy Analysis Course (PPAC) has successfully concluded in Yaoundé, reinforcing efforts to improve governance through evidence-based policymaking. Organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank under the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, the three-day training, held from March 10 to 12, brought together researchers, and think tank professionals, to enhance their expertise in policy formulation, evaluation, and implementation.

With Cameroon facing complex developmental challenges, the Public Policy Analysis Course sought to equip participants with practical skills to develop and assess policies that foster national progress.

By addressing these areas, the training aimed to bridge the gap between research and decision-making, ensuring that policies are informed by credible evidence rather than assumptions.

Shaping Cameroon’s Policy Landscape

The Nkafu Policy Institute, renowned for its commitment to fostering free enterprise and economic prosperity, has positioned the PPAC as a key initiative in shaping Cameroon’s policy landscape. The program's goal is to equip key stakeholders with analytical skills that will improve decision-making processes, ensuring that policies align with national and international development objectives.

Dr Adeline Nembot, Senior Policy Analyst at the Nkafu Policy Institute said: “The three-day training went well and the objectives that we have at the beginning were fully attained, if I can say even above what we expected. The objective of this training differs from the one we usually organize because in the beginning we were first of all organizing it in Cameroon but now we try to include some Central African countries.”

“I think the participants are fully equipped in terms of policy analysis, advocacy and communication. So, I'm happy for this three-day training and I'm sure that what they have learned, the skill they have acquired here, I'm sure that they are going to use it out there in their different missions.”

Dr Nembot added: “The message that I would tell them is to put in practice what they have learned in terms of identifying the problem in our society, try to brainstorm and come out with good and practical recommendations that will help their diverse countries to improve their economy and well-being. So, I would ask them to put it into practice. I believe that what they have acquired, if they put that in practice, things are going to move.”

Timeliness of the training

During the three-day training, participants were schooled on Data application and policy recommendation; communication strategies for policymakers, and building partnerships and coalitions for policy change among others.

Participants at the training applauded the Nkafu Policy Institute for such a rich and timely workshop. Ndoh Ida, Cameroon National Council said: “After attending this session, I think I'm going to go back with a lot of knowledge and more practical skills on how we can better position the various policy proposals that we do when we are advocating for policies that favour young people.”

“So now we know that you don't just go and propose policies. We have to write policies that are going to be convincing. And we are not just proposing problems, but we are sure that we are also proposing solutions through even data and a lot of research. So, it has been impactful and I'm so happy. And I want to plead with the Nkafu Policy Institute that in the subsequent ones that they are planning, we should try to involve more youths.”

Oremare Doumdeou, a participant from Chad said: “I was impressed during the three days. I learned a lot of things, especially how to develop a public policy. What are the characteristics of a public policy? But what struck me even more was the communication strategies on public policies. And so, we had to adapt these strategies in all policies, whether in organizations and everything.”

“So, I think that when I return to this training, I think I have to apply the strategies that I have acquired during this training and the techniques that I have acquired to make the plea for the problems that are experienced in our localities. I come out of this very robust training with a lot of elements that I have to exploit in the future.”
By empowering policy analysts, researchers, and decision-makers, the Nkafu Policy Institute continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening governance and driving sustainable development in Cameroon and beyond.

“Coming for this public analysis course, in my mind, I knew that the only thing I'm going to be hearing is policy, policy, everything concerning public policy,” said Fiona Luma, a humanitarian officer and project coordinator for WEM Africa.

“But to my greatest dismay, I've learned other things too that were not directly related to public policy, which I am so very grateful for. For example, monitoring and evaluation is something that I had no idea about, though I used to hear it around. But from this course, I've got a certain level of understanding about monitoring and evaluation. As someone who handles projects, it's going to help me a lot.”