Cameroon Nationals 2026: Official Launch of the 3rd Edition of the Cameroon National Debate & Speech Championship.
Yaoundé, Cameroon — The 3rd edition of the Cameroon Nationals (COCAM 2026), a major national competition dedicated to oral expression, debate, and public speaking, has been officially launched. A true platform for expression, training, and competition, this event aims to promote talent, critical thinking, and public speaking skills throughout Cameroon.
Registration link: https://debatecameroon.org/cocam-2/cameroon-nationals-2025/
A nationwide initiative
Created in an embryonic form (CANUDC) in 2010 at the University of Buea, the Cameroon Nationals (COCAM) has established itself as a key event for public speaking enthusiasts, students, young leaders, and professionals. Through a structured process of training, regional selections, and a grand national final, COCAM aims to identify, mentor, and promote the country’s best talent across all ten (10) regions of Cameroon.
Competition phases
Organized around the theme of “Migration, Development, and Human Rights,” COCAM 2026 promotes public speaking as a vital tool for social dialogue, cultural cohesion, and leadership among young people and adults.
The competition is structured in three main stages:
1. Local preliminaries – mobilization and awareness-raising within communities (500 schools and universities).
2. Regional selections – competitive events held in the ten regions of Cameroon.
3. National finals – a showdown between the best orators in Yaoundé before a national jury.
4. Sub-regional championship – The top performers will participate in the inaugural CAAP-AC sub-regional championship, open to 12 countries from the ECCAS sub-region and beyond.
🌍 Theme and objectives
At the heart of this new edition:
• Encouraging constructive public debate on contemporary issues such as migration, sustainable development, and human rights.
• Promoting Cameroonian languages and cultures through competitions in French, English, and local languages.
• Strengthening the leadership, argumentation, and communication skills of young people and community stakeholders.
Open to more than 10,000 direct participants—speakers, coaches, judges, and volunteers—and thousands of viewers through digital platforms and media partners, COCAM 2026 aims to mark a significant milestone in the history of public speaking in Cameroon.
A vision focused on impact
📢 The Cameroon Nationals 2026 promises to be a highlight for national expression and a springboard for the country’s future leaders and communicators.
Beyond the competition, COCAM 2026 aims to be a true national movement promoting a culture of debate, social cohesion, and civic engagement. Through workshops, panels, and extensive media coverage, this edition intends to leave a lasting mark on the Cameroonian educational and cultural landscape.
The organizing committee invites institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and partners to join this ambitious initiative that celebrates the power of the spoken word.
Join the COCAM network
For more information on participation details, dates, and official regulations, interested parties are invited to contact the organizing committee at cocam@debatecameroon.org; Phone: +237 6 22 46 83 30 / 622 47 42 36
