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As Cameroon continues to face economic challenges, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving inclusive growth has never been more critical. At the forefront of supporting these enterprises is the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC), a program of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation. With the upcoming 2025 SBEC Forum approaching, we sat down with Sylvia Namondo, Interim Director of SBEC, to discuss the organization's evolution, impact, and vision for transforming Cameroon's entrepreneurial landscape. The 2025 SBEC Forum will take place on April 29-30 at Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon. For more information, contact [email protected], call [...]

Acknowledgment This report is the result of a study carried out by a team from the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) and the Nkafu Policy Institute. Sincere appreciation goes to the management of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation, whose leadership made it possible to produce this report. Warm acknowledgement to the John Templeton Foundation and Rising Tide Society for their strong collaboration and financial support given to the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation. Within the Foundation, the team is grateful to Ms. Lenora Ebule for her guidance and direction on the project “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom [...]

By Chefor Ngwenyi Meungwe (Download PDF) Introduction Cameroon, like many other African nations, is grappling with the urgent need to create viable employment opportunities for its rapidly expanding youth population. With over 60% of the population under the age of 25, the economy is under increasing pressure to accommodate a workforce that is growing faster than the available job opportunities (Mbwoge et al., 2024). This challenge has led to persistently high rates of unemployment and underemployment among young people, exacerbating poverty, social instability, and economic vulnerability. Given the critical role youth play in shaping the nation’s future, addressing these barriers [...]

By Meh Desmond Kum (Download PDF) Introduction With a population of 30 million, Cameroon is truly the economic hub of the CEMAC sub-region, representing at least 28.6% of its GDP (International Monetary Fund. (2024). A country ranked among the most entrepreneurial on the continent, entrepreneurship holds particular significance. It serves as an effective means of combating youth unemployment, and helps create the wealth necessary for GDP growth. SMEs play a crucial role in mitigating unemployment, alleviating poverty, and enhancing the overall living standards of the population Of course, Cameroon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is not without its challenges. Although the government has taken [...]

By Chefor Ngwenyi Meungwe (Download PDF) Introduction The global climate crisis poses significant social, economic, and environmental challenges, with women and marginalized groups experiencing its impacts most acutely. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, these changes threaten the livelihoods, health, and economic empowerment of vulnerable populations, particularly women in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, agriculture—a sector where women form the majority of the workforce—has been heavily impacted by climate disruptions, leading to reduced crop yields, food insecurity, and income instability (Njoh et al 2018). Despite their critical roles in food production, Cameroonian women face persistent challenges due [...]

By Meh Desmond Kum (Download Pdf) Introduction The performance of women’s entrepreneurial activities in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon faces significant challenges, with barriers rooted in limited access to resources, restricted market reach, and efficiency constraints. These barriers are further exacerbated by the pervasive digital gender divide in developing countries, where women are systematically less likely to own ICT tools like mobile phones, which restricts their ability to leverage technology for business growth (International Telecommunication Union [ITU], 2021). This performance gap in women-owned businesses compared to male-owned enterprises remains a persistent issue, affecting women’s productivity, competitiveness, and [...]

By Chefor Ngwenyi Meungwe (Download Pdf) Introduction The economic freedom of women and youths in Cameroon remains a pressing concern, as they continue to face significant barriers to gain full employment and self-sufficiency. With youth unemployment estimated at 40% of the active population (Mengue 2023), it is clear that traditional education pathways are not providing the necessary skills to secure employment. Women, in particular, face entrenched gender discrimination, limiting their access to opportunities and perpetuating their economic dependence. Meanwhile, youths lack the vocational skills required to compete in the job market, rendering them vulnerable to unemployment and economic instability. [...]

By Meh Desmond Kum (Download Pdf) Introduction Hunger, poverty, and gender inequality are interwoven challenges that undermine global development. As the world grapples with these pressing issues, innovative solutions are needed to foster inclusive growth. The Human Poverty Index (HPI), developed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), provides a valuable lens through which these issues can be understood. By focusing on multidimensional deprivations—such as lack of access to education, income, and health services—the HPI highlights structural inequalities that disproportionately affect women. Addressing these disparities is central to combating hunger and poverty. Empowering women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector [...]

By Nsengue Laurent Brice (Download Pdf) According to the report on The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, projections indicate that by 2030, more than 600 million people worldwide will suffer from hunger, underscoring the scale of the task ahead to achieve "zero hunger" (UN, 2023). This is why eradicating hunger is the second UN Sustainable Development Goal which is making sure that food is wholesome. Nourishing is as important as making sure that everyone has enough to eat. The fight against hunger has made significant progress in the last fifteen years. According to the most [...]