As part of Central Africa Youth Aviation Week (Sajac), we mobilized around one hundred young women and men this Sunday, February 1st, in Douala for a sporting walk through the city's historical sites, in order to "demystify" aeronautics and celebrate ten years of commitment to careers in aviation.
Starting from the La Rotonde building in Akwa, the procession unfurled its human ribbon along a route conceived as an open-air history textbook: Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, Koumassi intersection, Hôtel de l’Air intersection, Old Airport, Flower Market, BEAC, Plateau Joss roundabout, before looping back to the foot of the La Rotonde building in Akwa. An accessible circuit, but above all representative of the emblematic thoroughfares of the economic capital, transformed for one morning into an introductory runway to aeronautical culture.
For Fadimatou Noutchemo, founder of Yaapa and promoter of the Aerowalk, this walk is the culmination of a process that began ten years ago: “As part of the celebration of our 10th anniversary forum during Youth Day in Cameroon, we initiated a sporting event at the time, during the organization of the first YAFA forum. And this year, we decided to launch the Aerowalk, which is essentially a platform that helps young people understand that aeronautics starts first and foremost on the ground,” she says. It's a way of reminding everyone that aviation isn't just about the cockpit, but also about territory, history, and development.
When aviation meets urban history
Throughout the journey, stops at symbolic sites serve as opportunities for a crash course in Douala and its surroundings. “As you saw during the tour, we visited our historical sites, such as the cathedral, the pagoda, and the Joss High School—sites that people often pass by without knowing their history, because aeronautics is actually a driver of economic development,” adds Ms. Noutchémo. By linking heritage, tourism, and the aviation industry, Yaapa is fulfilling its role as a mediator between the city and its youth.
The Aérowalk also became the springboard for a new phase for the association: “We launched a charter, and to launch this charter, we had to start with the first step, and the first step was the walk. Now, why ‘aero’? Because it’s actually about aeronautics, and taking this initiative today is very symbolic for us, because it marks our ten years of association life.” Upon arrival, after individually signing the charter, the walkers received Yaapa ambassador certificates, recognizing their commitment to an inclusive African aviation rooted in the community.
Demystifying a strategic sector
Beyond the physical effort, the organizer emphasizes the educational and civic importance of this mobilization. "We need to demystify aeronautics; it's a sector that's accessible to everyone, because it's not just for pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants as people think. We have the technology, the digitalization, the airports, civil aviation, airport service companies... and cargo." She recalls the crucial role of cargo during the Covid-19 pandemic, for the delivery of vaccines, gloves, and medical supplies.
The Sajac, which takes place from February 1st to 10th on the occasion of the 60th edition of Youth Day in Cameroon, throughout the Cameroonian territory in prelude to Youth Day, must extend the message in the ten regions of the country, with meetings planned at the Du Vaal College in Douala, then in Buea, Bafoussam, Garoua, Ngaoundéré, Ébolowa, Bertoua, Bamenda, among others.
“Our goal for the next 10 years is to raise awareness not only in capital cities, but also in regions and villages,” says Fadimatou Noutchemo, “because as they say, Africa is the present and the future; we are the potential market, but we also need a trained population that can at least contribute to the development of this aeronautics sector.” In Douala this Sunday, the next generation of aeronautics has already begun to take the first steps.
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