ISFD Board of Directors Approves Significant Contribution to Smart Education Project in Cameroon
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – March 16, 2025 – The Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), the poverty alleviation arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, is pleased to announce the approval of a US$10 million (€9.20 million) contribution to the Joint IsDB/ISFD/GPE/BADEA Smart-Ed Support to Cameroon Basic Education Support Project (CAMBESP). This decision was endorsed during the recent ISFD Board of Directors meeting, reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to fostering education and human capital development across IsDB’s member countries.
The CAMBESP initiative, valued at €86.48 million, exemplifies a collaborative funding model designed to enhance access to quality basic education in Cameroon. The project’s financial framework is supported by a combination of resources, including €27.60 million from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), comprising a €9.20 million loan and €18.40 million in Instalment Sale financing, alongside contributions from other development partners and the Government of Cameroon.
The ISFD’s US$10 million (€9.20 million) allocation, in addition to the IsDB’s total financing of €27.60 million, constitutes a cornerstone of support for the Government of Cameroon’s Education and Training Sector Strategy (2023-2030). This effort aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (2020-2030) and the overarching "Cameroon Vision 2035," both of which identify human capital development as an essential pillar for sustainable socioeconomic development.
The CAMBESP project is designed to deliver equitable and quality basic education to 153,816 students from 50,000 families while enhancing the capacity and efficiency of Cameroon’s education system. Key project deliverables include the construction of 100 schools with 1,080 classrooms, the rehabilitation of 62 existing classrooms, and the establishment of vital facilities such as water points, latrine blocks, and principals’ housing. These interventions will be implemented across seven regions: Adamawa, Centre (Yaoundé), East, Far North, Littoral (Douala), North, and South.
By 2029, the project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
• A significant increase in student enrollment, from 56,232 in 2023 to 153,816 (61,526 boys and 92,290 girls),
• A reduction in classroom ratios from 1:145 to 1:60 students,
• A 95% improvement in primary school completion rates, and
• The comprehensive updating of 100% of relevant curricula.
Mr. Adil Alsharif, Officer-in-Charge and Director General of the ISFD, emphasized the project’s broader impact: “The approval of this contribution highlights our dedication to fostering sustainable development through education. CAMBESP will not only expand access to learning opportunities but also equip Cameroon’s youth with the tools to drive economic and social progress, creating a ripple effect of prosperity across communities.”
