A groundbreaking initiative by United Bank for Africa (UBA) is redefining career entry points for young Cameroonians.
The Graduate Management Accelerated Program (GMAP), launched in 2023, is opening doors to banking jobs in just six months—even for applicants with no prior finance background.
The fourth edition of the program, set to begin later this year, targets Cameroonians aged 28 and under holding a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. So far, 30 graduates have already entered the bank’s workforce through this unconventional but highly effective route.
“GMAP is more than an integration program. It is a leadership school designed to build the next generation of African leaders,” said Jude Anele, Managing Director of UBA Cameroon.
The initiative was inspired by Nigerian entrepreneur Tony O. Elumelu, who began his own banking career as an intern armed with little more than determination.
The GMAP structure is unique. Participants alternate between one week of virtual instruction and three weeks of immersive, on-the-job training at UBA branches.
Over the course of the program, trainees rotate through departments including credit, treasury, audit, operations, and human resources—gaining a comprehensive understanding of the banking ecosystem.
“Over the course of a month, we had one week of online classes and the other three we spent in the agency,” recalled Loraine Mewoli, a telecommunications graduate and alumna of the program’s second edition.
Though she anticipated joining UBA’s IT division, Mewoli was placed in marketing, where she says she has thrived. “I feel very comfortable,” she said.
The flexibility offered by GMAP is one of its strongest assets.
According to Joël from the Human Resources Department, applicants are selected through a competitive process that prioritizes adaptability and leadership potential over specific academic training.
Since its launch, GMAP has challenged the conventional boundaries of banking recruitment in Cameroon and across Africa.
By accelerating training timelines and broadening access, UBA is providing young people with both opportunity and purpose.
As the 2025 cohort prepares to begin their journey, the program’s impact continues to grow, offering a model that could reshape how financial institutions approach hiring and talent development. In a country where youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, GMAP may well become a blueprint for change.
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