Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation | Catalyzing Africa's Economic Transformation

Job Preparedness Bootcamp Bangangte
2023-09-14 09:00 - 15:00 UTC
Bangangte, West Region
Date: 14th of September 2023
Venue: Mairie de Bangangte (REGISTER NOW)
Background
The employment situation in Cameroon is characterized by underemployment. The proliferation of the informal sector is one of the factors that explain this phenomenon. The informal sector employs about 90% of the active population. Youth are increasingly struggling to occupy decent positions within the various administrations because of a number of barriers, including the inadequacy of the quality of the workforce in relation to the human resources required by the economy, but much more because of the non-compliance of enterprises with the regulations on labor standards. In implementing its new National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30), the government’s main concern is to “achieve full and productive employment and guarantee all women and men, including youths and people with disabilities, decent work and equal pay for work of equal value. Indeed, although they have appropriate levels of education for the jobs they want, youths and women still need better trainings to prepare them for the job market. To support youths and women and help them access decent jobs, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers in selected regions of Cameroon, intensive Bootcamps that combine technical training workshops, job applications and interview strategies, experiential work-based learning opportunities and skills to improve the overall work performance. This Job Preparedness Bootcamp will be organized on a quarterly basis in each of the four target regions.
Objectives and Conceptual Framework
The main objective of this job preparedness bootcamp is to harness and fine-tune the skills of youths, women and Internally Displaced Persons and equip them with necessary skills for the job market.
The bootcamp will be organized on a quarterly basis in each of the four target regions.
This training is designed from a participatory process, focuses on basic life skills, technical skills development, income generation skills and soft skills development.
The development of soft skills among women and young people will focus on five proven areas: self-control, positive self-concept, social skills, communication and higher-order thinking (critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making).
This training will combine technical training workshops, job applications and interview strategies, experiential work-based learning opportunities and skills to improve the overall work performance.
Target audience
This program is designed to target all age groups especially youth and women between the ages of 15 and 35 who have difficulties at accessing the job market or bringing to existence a business venture from their skills.
Outcome of the Training
By the end of the program:
Most of the participants feel more job ready, show improvement in target areas and have better job situations within 6-12 months.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region,
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Onsite Registration

SMEs flagship training Yaounde
2023-09-27 09:00 - 2023-09-28 15:00 | Mansel Hotel, Quartier-Fouda, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Venue : Mansel Hotel (REGISTER NOW)Date : September, 27 & 28
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this 6-month SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

SMEs flagship training Bangangte
2023-10-06 09:00 - 2023-10-07 15:00
Venue : Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation (REGISTER NOW)Date : August, 6 & 7
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this 6-month SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Impact of digital health intervention: Africa in retrospect
2023-10-11 03:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date: 11th October, 2023Time: 03:00-04:00pm (Central African Time)
Venue: Online Zoom (Register now)
The use of digital technologies to increase access to health is gaining momentum in developing countries, including those in sub-Sahara Africa, due to increasing penetration of mobile technology and the quest for innovative strategies to support the implementation of health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In 2022, out of the about 1.4 billion people living in Africa 30% had access to internet, 83% had mobile cellular subscriptions out of which smartphones account for about 39% of all SIM connections, and this could surpass 66% by 2025. Nowadays, the mobile money market in sub-Saharan Africa has become an epicentre, accounting for almost half of all mobile money registered accounts globally. Despite these promising figures, many people in the region today deal with several real-life barriers to digital health access due to limited connectivity and electricity, including urban-rural divide, gender inequity and low digital literacy. Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) include using digital and mobile technology such as eHealth, mHealth, self-tracking wearable devices and artificial intelligence to support individual health care and health systems in service delivery. It improves health by addressing health system challenges, enhancing coverage, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages while maintaining the quality of service.
Successful digital health initiatives require a strategic delivery framework to coordinate implementation and monitor progress. Since 2005, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted various resolutions to encourage member States to develop and implement digital health strategies at regional and national levels to contribute to the achievement of health related SDGs and UHC. In line with this, the Regional Committee for Africa further adopted a resolution to advance digital solutions in Africa. Today, about 41 African countries have developed a national digital health strategic framework, although most are still in the pilot stage.
Several challenges have been identified as drawbacks to scaling up digital health in Africa, including limited resources, issues with data protection and system security regulations, limited digital health leadership capacity, inconsistent adoption of standards and interoperability frameworks, and the low level of health worker involvement in digital health. Furthermore, low cross-border sharing of evidence limits the development of best practices.
Objective:
This webinar seeks to explore what needs to be done in order to realize the potential of digital health in Africa.
Thematic areas for discussion will include but not limited to
Exploring the potential resources available for the advancement of digital health in Africa and the actors involved.
Understanding the issues with data protection and security regulations
Exploring why there is inconsistent adoption of standards and interoperability
Understanding why there is low level of health worker involvement in digital health
Target Audience
International community
Non-Governmental Organizations
Ministries of Health
Health Informatics
Clinicians
Public health experts
Biostatisticians
Communication Specialist
Digital technology experts
Moderator
Ngo Valery
Senior Health Policy Analyst, Nkafu Policy Institute,
Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation
Simbock Yaounde, Cameroon
Participants will be invited by email and or WhatsApp.
Register now

Session 5 – Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2023-10-12 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: 12 October 2023Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Topic: Submitting a Winning Grant Proposal
Background
Independent think tanks and research centres around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centres, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centres in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centres, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Fondation Foretia & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
Register now

SMEs flagship training Buea
2023-10-25 09:00 - 2023-10-26 15:00
Venue : Foretia Foundation Hall – Mile 18 Junction, Muea Main Road, Buea (REGISTER NOW)Date : October, 25 & 26
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this 6-month SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Towards Lasting Peace in Africa : Exploring the New Agenda for Peace
2023-11-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date : 8th November, 2023 Time : 3:00-4:30pm Cameroon Time (GMT +1)
Venue : Zoom Online (Register Now)
Background
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his report “Our Common Global Agenda”, emphasized the need for a New Agenda for Peace to confront the multifaceted challenges the international community is facing. This New Agenda, which outlines the Secretary General’s vision to attain international peace, has six potential focus areas including; reducing strategic risks; strengthening international foresight and capacities to identify and adapt to new risks; reshaping responses to all forms of violence; investing in prevention and peacebuilding; supporting regional prevention and; putting women and girls at the center (Security Council Report, April 2023). Given the numerous multidimensional challenges Africa faces, the New Agenda for Peace seems to be a praiseworthy commitment that Africans can explore to build sustainable peace and stability. It is on this note that the Peace and Security Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute is organising a webinar to have thought-provoking conversations and expert views on the potential prospects for peace and stabilization in Africa and the role of the New Agenda for Peace in accomplishing this goal.
Objective of the webinar
The main objective of this webinar is to explore the opportunities for peace and stabilization in Africa, with a specific focus on the New Agenda for Peace. That is, to provide a platform for sharing knowledge on the New Agenda for Peace and engage stakeholders to invest in it to foster peace and stability in Africa.
Target Audience
The event targets experts, policymakers, and practitioners from the fields of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and international development
Event Format
The event will take place online, via zoom with panel discussions by peace and security experts and will be streamed live on Foretia Foundation’s social media platforms.
Expected output
By highlighting the potential of the New Agenda for Peace, it is expected that the webinar will act as an avenue that will contribute to the ongoing dialogue on addressing the multidimensional challenges faced by the continent and fostering sustainable peace.
Expected Outcome
To propose meaningful recommendations that can lead to the development of policy frameworks at national and multilateral levels for investing in the focus areas of the New Agenda for Peace, in a bid to achieve sustainable peace and development in Africa.
Event Date and Time
The event will take place on Wednesday 8th November, 2023 from 3:00-4:30pm Cameroon Time (GMT +1).
Organisers
This event is organised by the Peace and Security Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute- a think tank at the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Session 6 – Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2023-11-16 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: November 16 2023Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Topic: Making an Effective Advocacy
Background
Independent think tanks and research centres around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centres, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centres in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centres, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Fondation Foretia & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
Register now

Democratization: An African Perspective
2023-11-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date : November 17th, 2023,Time : 3:00-4:00 pm, Cameroon Time. (TBC)
Venue : Zoom Online (Register now)
Background
The end of the Cold War is usually cited as a landmark period in the democratic process in Africa. This wind of change that primarily blew across Eastern Europe in the 1990s was believed to usher Africa into a new democratic era. There were prospects of reshaping the African political landscape and order, a shift from the way the continent was governed since independence(1). Despite the euphoria, many African countries still experience political instability and civil unrest, raising questions as to why these countries encounter difficulties in practising western model of democracy (2). On the one hand, are Africans who believe that western democratic practices are alien to Africa while others emphasize that African culture is to blame for the failure of this form of democracy in the continent. It is against this backdrop that the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute is organizing a webinar focusing on democracy and democratization processes from an African Perspective.
Objective of the webinar
The main objective of this webinar is to examine the reasons why African countries are finding it difficult to adapt to the democratic processes.
Target Audience
The event targets governance and democracy experts, policymakers, the African Union African Regional Economic Communities , government agencies, diplomatic bodies, parastatal, academics, researchers, international organizations, and civil society organizations.
Event Format
The event will take place online via Zoom with panel discussions by peace and security experts from selected think tanks, and will be streamed live on Foretia Foundation’s social media platforms.
Expected output
To produce evidence-based policy recommendations to African policymakers, as well as international foreign policy experts, who can strengthen democratic processes efforts in Africa
Expected Outcome
It is expected that the forum will act as an avenue that provides a perspective that will inform stakeholders and policy makers on the need to revisit democratization process in Africa and address the challenges they face or reconsider adopting the African model of democracy for the Africa we want.
Event Date and Time
The event will take place on Thursday November 17th, 2023, at 3:00-4:00 pm, Cameroon Time. (TBC)
Organisers
This event is organised by the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute– a think tank at the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org or ftazoacha@foretiafoundation.org/ Tel: (+237) 679466117 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Assessing the Role of Women in Leveraging Private Sector Engagement in Central Africa
2023-11-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date : Wednesday, November 22, 2023Time : 03:00 pm-04:00 pm
Venue : Zoom Online (Register now)
This webinar is organized thanks to the support of Open Society Foundations-Africa (OSF-Africa)
Background
When countries invest in women economically, there are direct benefits to the society, visible in poverty reduction, economic growth, and women’s dignity. According to the UN Women, empowering women is a means of attaining gender equality, which in turn fosters economic and sustainable development. Women constitute a huge proportion of the low paid and unpaid economic activities such as care and household work, but there is as well revealing data about their entrepreneurial spirit. A recent study by the African Development Bank reveals that Africa has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs in the world’. In fact, 25.9% of women are either starting or managing a business in sub-Saharan Africa. This evidence is compelling and supports the claim that empowering women economically can boost the private sector in Africa. With this in mind, the Nkafu Policy Institute is organizing a webinar on the theme “Assessing the Role of Women in Leveraging Private Sector Engagement in Central Africa”.
Main Objective of the webinar
This webinar’s primary objective is to highlight the role that women (can) play in stimulating private sector in the Central African region. More specifically, we will focus on:
The influence women exercise in the private sector of the economy;
The role of women in job creation and poverty alleviation;
The role of think tanks in promoting women’s participation in private sector development;
Proposing in-depth policy recommendations to stakeholders on the benefits that society accrues from women’s economic empowerment.
Target Audience
This event targets policymakers, think tanks, government agencies, diplomatic bodies, academics, researchers, international organizations, and individuals interested in regional blocs. The event will take place online via the Zoom platform. It will also be live streamed on the Foretia Foundation’s social media platforms.
Expected Outcome
Highlights of the influential role that women are playing in the private sector are shared for the benefit of policy makers and the public.
About Open Society Foundations-Africa
OSF-Africa’s vision is to build a globally respected, dynamic and integrated Africa characterized by democratic governance, sustainable development and economic systems that produce more just, inclusive and accountable outcomes with and for Africa’s people and environment. In pursuit of this vision, OSF-Africa’s mission is to advance gender justice and women’s rights, deepen democracy, accountable governance and inclusive development in Africa through participatory and strategic grant making and advocacy. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54
Register now

Session 7 – Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2023-12-07 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: December 07, 2023Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Theme: Disseminating results of research projects
Background
Independent think tanks and research centres around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centres, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centres in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centres, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Fondation Foretia & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
Register now

SMEs flagship training – Bamenda
2024-01-17 09:00 - 2024-01-18 15:00
Venue : Hill Top Hotel – Up-station, Bamenda(REGISTER NOW)Date : 17 & 18 January 2024
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Session 8 – Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2024-01-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: January 24, 2024Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Theme: Optimizing Monitoring and Evaluation of research projects
Background
Independent think tanks and research centres around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centres, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centres in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centres, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Fondation Foretia & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
REGISTER NOW

SMEs flagship training – Douala
2024-02-07 09:00 - 2024-02-08 15:00 | Hotel Serena, Akwa-Nord, Douala, Littoral, Cameroon
Venue : Hotel Serena – Bali Akwa, Douala (REGISTER NOW)Date : 07 & 08 Feb. 2024
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Public Dialogue : Understanding the different regional and international reactions to recent coups in Gabon and Niger
2024-02-09 03:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date: Friday 9th February 2024Time: 3-4 p.m. (Cameroon time GMT+1)
Venue: Online Zoom (Register now)
CONCEPT NOTE
Africa has recently experienced an upsurge in military coups. The most recent ones, notably those of July 26, 2023 in Niger and August 30, 2023 in Gabon, provoked different reactions from African regional organizations and the international community. While the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the coup in Niger and even threatened military intervention, the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) reacted much more cautiously to the coup in Gabon. At the international level, the Ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union (EU) decided, on August 31, to establish a legal framework to impose sanctions on the perpetrators of the coup d’État in Niger ( 1 ) and suspend cooperation security and financial relations between the European Union (EU) and Niamey ( 2 ). Yet EU diplomacy appeared to justify the coup in Gabon. Its leader notably declared: “ Military coups are not generally a solution, but we must not forget that in Gabon, elections marred by irregularities took place ” ( 3 ). In the same vein, France ( 4 ) and the United States unequivocally condemned the coup d’état in Niger, while adopting a more nuanced position on Gabon, limiting themselves to urging the army to ” preserve civil power” ( 5 ). How can we understand these heterogeneous reactions to the same political phenomenon, that of unconstitutional changes of government?
Objectifs
The main objective of this webinar is to take the previous coups d’état in Niger and Gabon as a starting point for analyzing the political, strategic and geopolitical implications of coups in Africa, which justify their differential political treatment.
The specific objectives can be broken down as follows:
Research and analyze the reasons or interests that underlie and justify the reactions of people and international actors to the coups in Niger and Gabon;
Analyze the political, strategic and geopolitical implications of the differential treatment of coups in
Event Format
The event will be online, on Zoom, with panel discussions moderated by experts and will be broadcast live on the Foretia Foundation’s social media platforms.
Event date and time
The event will take place on Friday 9th February 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cameroon time –GMT+1).
Organizers
This event is organized by the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute, a Think tank of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.
Participants
This debate is organized by the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute. It is open to all without restriction.
Contacts
For more information, please contact us by email at: info@foretiafoundation.org or via telephone: (+237) 222 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54.
REGISTER NOW

Reforming Electoral Processes for Structural Transformations in Central Africa
2024-02-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date: February 15, 2024Time: 03pm-04:00pm
Venue: Zoom Online (Register now)

Background
In democratic societies, elections and electoral institutions are vital to political stability and transitions. Put differently, electoral process and institutions carry with them aspects of legitimacy and consent. To improve on elections, electoral processes and institutions must be conceptualized as broader political processes, not just as events. Conducting elections regularly usually indicate a vibrant democracy. In some African countries, fair electoral processes “have facilitated the emergence of democratic government”, says International Peace Institute. People can judge a democracy by the electoral process and institutions of the country. A worrying trend in some African countries is the occurrence of pre- and post-elections disputes and claims that usually interrupt political transitions, sometimes leading to national disunity. Fueling these disputes are deep suspicions and mistrust of electoral processes and institutions, whose transparency are often questioned. In fact, transparent elections are vital to preventing conflict, argues Afrobarometer. This webinar delves into how reforming the electoral process and institutions can help improve democracy and foster good governance in Central Africa.
Main Objective of the webinar
This webinar’s main objective is to talk about elections and electoral institutions as being vital to political stability and transition. More specifically, it will:
Explore various trends of elections in Central Africa;
Reiterate the importance of electoral institutions in political stability and change in Central Africa;
Discuss aspects of suspicion and mistrust of electoral systems in Central Africa;
Propose in-depth policy recommendations to stakeholders on how to improve on electoral institutions and processes in Central Africa.
Target Audience
Our target audience include think tanks, governments, diplomatic bodies, academia, researchers, international organizations, human rights organizations, and individuals interested in elections and electoral institutions in Central Africa.
Expected Outcome
Increased public awareness of the key role of elections and electoral institutions in Central Africa’s structural transformation in a rapidly changing world.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
REGISTER NOW

Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2024-02-16 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: February 16, 2024Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Theme: Media as tool for disseminating research result
Background
Independent think tanks and research centres around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centres, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centres in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centres, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Fondation Foretia & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
REGISTER NOW

Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2024-02-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom Online
Date: February 22, 2024Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Theme: Scientific Research Funding
Background
Independent think tanks and research centers around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centers, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centers in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalise on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centers, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistics
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Foretia Foundation & Nkafu Policy Institute websites and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
REGISTER NOW

Increasing access to cancer therapies: A window of hope for overcoming the disease in Africa
2024-02-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date: February 28th 2024Time: 3-4 p.m. (Cameroon time GMT+1)
Venue : Zoom Online (Register now)
Background
The increasing burden of cancer in Africa has become a significant public health concern, with the region experiencing a growing crisis in cancer incidence and mortality. According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence (GLOBOCAN), an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer related deaths occurred worldwide in 2020. In a report published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2022, the disease is among the three leading causes of premature death (death occurring between 30–69 years) in almost all constituent countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and is responsible for 1 in 7 premature deaths overall. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the annual number of new cancer cases in Africa will exceed one million over the next five years, with changes in lifestyle and ageing population contributing to the increasing burden of the disease. The mortality rate for cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa is twice that of American patients, usually as a result of delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment. Despite these burden, most African nations are far from adequately scaling up their capacity to control cancer. Inaccessible diagnosis and therapy, as well as late-stage presentation of patients, are frequent. According to the World economic forum, cancer treatment and care is available in less than 15% of LMICs, against more than 90% of high income countries. Indeed, more than 50% of cancer medicines on the WHO list of essential medicine are not available to patients living in LMICs. In SSA, affordability and availability of cancer treatment regimens present significant obstacles that necessitate the implementation of long-term efforts and regulations, in order to guarantee that cancer patients, have access to high-quality and reasonably priced therapies. There is thus an urgent need to expand access to cancer medicines in Africa and sustainable initiatives and policies are crucial to achieving this goal. It is in that light that this webinar is organized, to discuss issues surrounding access to cancer therapy in Africa.
Objectives
Discuss of the barriers of access to cancer therapies in Africa
Discuss on the resources available for cancer therapy in Africa
Explore and analyze cancer control health policies in Africa
Discuss on the strategies to adopt to ameliorate access to cancer therapy in Africa
Expected output
We are expecting to have insightful and achievable solutions for the amelioration of cancer therapy access in Africa which will be translated into a policy brief and published on On Policy Magazine.
Target Audience
This webinar is intended for researchers, public health specialists, health care professionals, university lecturers, students and health enthusiasts.
Venue
This panel discussion will be an online event hosted on the zoom platform and broadcasted on facebook. Moreover, the panel discussion will be recorded and published on youtube

Panel Discussion : Lifting the veil off the challenges facing startups in Cameroon
2024-02-29 10:00 - 14:00 | Mansel Hotel, Quartier-Fouda, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Date: February 29, 2024Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (GMT+1)
Hybrid Event: Mansel Hotel (Onsite Registration)
Zoom platform (Online Registration)
Background
Cameroon is a country of economic and geographic influence, strategically positioned as a natural gateway to Central and West Africa. The country’s economic and technological development is in constant progression, providing fertile ground for the emergence of innovative young companies. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, information and communication technologies (ICT) have been identified as a key driver for employment, economic growth and sustainable development. What’s more, Cameroon’s young population and growing access to the Internet have created an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2006, Silicon Mountain was created in Buea, the capital of the South West region of Cameroon, becoming the country’s first technology incubator for start-ups. With a view to replicating this success, since 2018 the Cameroonian government has been planning to support a new technology cluster in Yaoundé, called Silicon River. This technology hub will be a research and innovation platform offering young software developers and other creative and ambitious technology entrepreneurs the infrastructure and support they need to foster innovation. As a result, the number of new technology startups in Cameroon has grown steadily over the past decade, with an estimated 101+ technology startups currently operating in the country, 36 of which were created in 2019 and 2020. However, this number remains low in comparison with Nigeria, which has 1,697 tech startups in Lagos alone. This limited growth in the number of startups in Cameroon can be explained by a complex and ambiguous regulatory and administrative environment. From this perspective, the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is organizing a panel discussion to gather input that will help lift off the veil on the challenges facing startups in Cameroon..
Objective
The main objective of this event is to analyze the startup ecosystem in Cameroon and the remaining constraints to their growth in the country. More specifically, it will address the following issues:
Define the startup within the Cameroonian context by analyzing the legal, regulatory, institutional, infrastructural and social framework;
Discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by startups in Cameroon;
Outline the chances of success for a startup in Cameroon;
Assess the socio-economic impact of startups in Cameroon.
Expected Outcome
Participants enlightened on the place and importance of start-ups in the Cameroonian economy, and on the need to address persistent challenges to sustainable economic growth.
Target audience
Start-up owners, public authorities, telecoms engineers, capital providers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from the private sector.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54
Onsite RegistrationOnline Registration

Conversation with Dr Jacob KOTCHO
2024-03-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date: 5 March 2024Time: 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm (GMT+1)
Venue: Online event (Register Now)
Background
During the 14th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) held in Kinshasa in October 2009, a decision was made to accelerate the rationalization process of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Central Africa. The Council of Ministers of the Steering Committee for the Rationalization of the Regional Economic Communities in Central Africa (Comité de Pilotage de la Rationalisation des Communautés Économiques Régionales en Afrique Centrale – COPIL/CER-AC), which met in Yaoundé on 11 and 12 August, examined and validated the draft Constitutive Treaty of the new Regional Economic Community (REC), which will replace ECCAS and CEMAC. Several difficulties were identified and the Council recommended that the States, ECCAS and CEMAC meet their financial obligations to COPIL/CER-AC in order to speed up the rationalization process. The Council also recommended that the institutions of the Communauté Économique des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL) be integrated into the new structure of the future REC, pending the decisions of its decision-making bodies. The aim is to align the integration process with the objectives of the AU and to address the low level of trade between Central African countries, the small size of sub-regional markets and the existence of a multitude of different community organizations in a context of scarce resources. This implies absorbing and merging these RECs so that they are synchronized (African Union, 2005). Streamlining should also include standardizing and harmonizing the strategies, programs, sectoral projects and cooperation instruments of existing institutions. To date, some progress has been made, including the unification of the ECCAS and CEMAC free trade areas; the drafting of a customs code, a common external tariff and a common trade policy; the adoption of twelve priority areas for rationalization (trade, health, free movement of persons and goods, mechanisms for financing integration, security, budgetary and monetary rules, approximation of institutional frameworks, etc.); the reorganization of the CEMAC and ECCAS action plans; and the adoption of a common trade policy); the reorganization of the COPIL/CER-AC Action Plan, which now runs from 2018 to 2023. With the new REC which was supposed to come into operation in 2023, it is time to take stock of the progress made, the difficulties that remain and the means to overcome them.
Objectives
The main objective of this conversation is to discuss the progress of the rationalization process of the Regional Economic Communities in Central Africa, as well as strategies to facilitate and accelerate the process. More specifically, the conversation will consist of:
Discussing the different types of rationalization of economic communities and their strengths and weaknesses in the Central African context.
Discussing the preconditions and challenges that are essential for the success of the process of rationalization of RECs in Central Africa.
Discussing the priority measures to be implemented by the countries in order to seize all the opportunities for the rationalization of Regional Economic Communities.
Expected Outcomes
Central African States, businesses, organizations, administrations, academics and populations are urged to be aware of their key role in actively promoting the rationalization process between the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
Target audience
The event targets public and private institutions, international trade experts, development partners, political decision-makers, entrepreneurs, traders, academia and members of civil society, as well as private sector players in Central Africa.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54

Operational Working Group: Leveraging on “Made in Cameroon” through AfCFTA
2024-03-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Mansel Hotel, Quartier-Fouda, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Date: March 6, 2024Time: 10:00 pm – 02:00 pm (GMT+1)
Venue: Mansel Hotel

Background
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063, which aims to create a single market for goods between African countries. By eliminating customs duties on 90% of goods traded between participating countries, businesses will be able to access new markets, expand their customer base, and compete more effectively. Cameroon signed the agreement on March 21, 2018, and the nation ratified the agreement on October 31, 2019. In accordance with Article 24(1) of the AfCFTA Agreement, it became the 33rd state party by depositing its instrument of ratification with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on December 1, 2020. The AfCFTA represents a significant opportunity for Cameroon, but to fully benefit from this opportunity, Cameroonian products must be visible and readily available in the regional market. This requires overcoming several challenges. With this in mind, the Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation, is organizing a stakeholders’ meeting to address the challenges of promoting Cameroonian products within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The meeting will explore the theme “Leveraging on “Made in Cameroon” through AfCFTA,” with the objective of providing policymakers and other stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved and possible ways of addressing them. The meeting will seek to identify the various constraints hindering the visibility and availability of Made in Cameroon products, propose solutions, and make recommendations to enhance the competitiveness of these products in the regional and global markets.
Objective
The main objective of this stakeholder meeting is to discuss and develop strategies to ensure the visibility and availability of products made in Cameroon under the AfCFTA. More specifically, it aims to:
Raise awareness of the AfCFTA and its potential benefits for Cameroon-made products.
Identify current challenges and barriers to the visibility and availability of Cameroon-made products in the AfCFTA market.
Develop actionable strategies to address these challenges and increase the competitiveness of Cameroon-made products in the AfCFTA market.
Build partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders to support the implementation of these strategies.
Expected outcomes
Increased understanding and awareness of the AfCFTA agreement and its potential benefits for Cameroon-made products among key stakeholders.
A clear identification of challenges and barriers to the visibility and availability of Cameroon-made products under the AfCFTA.
A set of actionable strategies to address these challenges and increase the competitiveness of Cameroon-made products in the AfCFTA market.
Established partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders to support the implementation of these strategies.
Target audience
The meeting will bring together 20 participants, including distinguished think tank leaders and researchers, policymakers, representatives of regional economic communities, customs officials, and representatives of civil society organizations.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54

Capacity Building Workshop for Researchers in the ECCAS Region
2024-03-07 15:00 | Zoom Online
Date: March 07, 2024Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Venue : Online Zoom (Register now)
Theme: Successfully designing a logical framework
Background
Independent think tanks and research centers around the world play a key role in shaping policy, whether economic or social. These important contributions and the emerging global trends of think tanks around the world make them significant contributors to governments and civil societies. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 ranking of the world’s best think tanks and research centers, African think tanks are poorly represented in the global top 50. Think tanks from countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are virtually absent from this ranking (McGann, 2019).
This non-representation of ECCAS think tanks among the best in the world in the 2019 Go To Think Tank report published by the University of Pennsylvania is linked in particular to academic performance, the quality and reputation of the research and analyses produced, i.e. their capacity to produce high-quality, rigorous, policy-oriented research that is accessible to decision-makers, the media and the public. This multifactorial underperformance calls on ECCAS think tanks, whose role is to raise awareness through publications, scientific essays and relevant policy recommendations, to make more consistent efforts.
In view of the above, strengthening the research skills of think tank staff is a possible solution to improve their visibility and performance. To this end, the Nkafu Policy Institute is setting up an exchange platform for think tanks and independent research centers in Central Africa to share experiences and capitalize on lessons learned in research, in order to become more visible and influential at regional, continental and global levels. This exchange platform will take the form of collaborative online capacity building sessions for ECCAS think tanks.
Objectives
This capacity building workshop for researchers from think tanks and research centers in the ECCAS region aims to capitalize on research opportunities in key areas such as individual rights, governance and accountability, and regional integration. Specifically, it will focus on:
Deepening general research knowledge
Improving skills in policy proposal presentation and scientific writing
Capitalizing on research communication skills and knowledge
Optimizing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of research projects
Target Audience
These capacity building sessions are planned for researchers from ECCAS think tanks and independent research centers, particularly women.
Expected output
At the end of the different sessions, participants will have acquired additional in-depth skills to conduct independent, evidence-based research. The training will also enable researchers across the ECCAS region to strengthen collaborations with different national and international stakeholders.
Logistic
The workshop will be held virtually via the Zoom platform and will be held in French and English. It will be live-streamed on the Foretia Foundation & Nkafu Policy Institute websites, and social media platforms.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
REGISTER NOW

SMEs flagship training – Foumban
2024-03-11 09:00 - 2024-03-12 15:00
Venue : Foumban – Salle de fête Mairie Municipale (REGISTER NOW)Date : 11 & 12 Mar. 2024
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

PREMIERE – MONIQUE KOUMATEKEL’S FILM
2024-03-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Muna Foundation, Yaounde, Centre, 00237, Cameroon
PREMIERE – MONIQUE KOUMATEKEL’S FILM Date: 26th March 2024
Venue: Muna Foundation (Register)
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Topic: State of medical care for pregnant women in Cameroon: What progress since Monique Koumatekel?
I- Background
In March 2016, a tragic incident occurred at a renowned public hospital in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital. Monique Koumatekel, a 35-year-old pregnant woman, underwent a surgical operation performed by bystanders in a desperate attempt to rescue her twin unborn babies. She had been denied admission by medical staff for being unable to pay the required fees or provide an insurance card. Tragically, Monique went unconscious during the operation and did not survive. This shocking event sparked outrage across national and international public opinion, raising questions about the state of medical care for pregnant women in Cameroon.
Monique’s story is unfortunately not an isolated case. Many Cameroonians lose their lives every day due to the inability to access healthcare services because of financial constraints. Additionally, the implementation of a health insurance system has proven difficult, preventing it from being a viable option for the population. Eight years after this harrowing incident, what progress has been made to ensure that no woman in Cameroon faces a similar fate?
II- Event Format
The premiere event will feature:
Screening of the fifteen-minute documentary “Our Monique”.
Interactive panel discussion with experts from media, research centers, and medical practitioners.
Question-and-answer session with media representatives and attendees.
III- Objectives
“Our Monique” aims at recounting the story of Monique Koumatekel, and how access to a simple health insurance could have saved her life, her twin babies, and countless other Cameroonians. Specifically, the documentary seeks to:
Raise awareness among the public, especially women, about the importance of medical follow-up during pregnancy and delivery.
Advocate for efficient and accessible medical care for pregnant women in Cameroon.
Denounce unprofessional behavior and negligence exhibited by some medical staff towards patients.
Address barriers to private health insurance in Cameroon.
Highlight obstacles hindering the implementation of a functional private health insurance system.
IV- Target Audience
The Target audience of this event includes the media, opinion leaders, policy and decision makers, international organizations interested and/or working in the field of medical care with a focus on pregnant women.
Register

SMEs flagship training – Akonolinga
2024-03-27 09:00 - 2024-03-28 15:00
Venue : Akonolinga- Mairie Municipale (REGISTER NOW)Date : 27 & 28 Mar. 2024
Time : 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Background
In Cameroon, 80% of the businesses created die before their first 5 years of existence. Moreover, most of them remain in the informal sector. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics, about 90% of the labor force in Cameroon remains trapped in this sector. Women and youth are the most represented in this sector, due to a number of challenges they still face. In the agricultural sector, for example, Cameroonian women represent 71.6% of workers in the informal agricultural sector. Unfortunately, almost 52% of them still live below the poverty line and 79.2% of them are underemployed. This underemployment rate is estimated at 70% for youth. To address all the root causes of SME underperformance and access to employment in Cameroon, foster economic freedom, and empower both women and youth in the country, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers a comprehensive training program for young entrepreneurs for a period of 6 months to enable them to acquire viable skills in management and business, regulatory processes, finance and other capabilities necessary for overall improvement.
Objective
The main objective of this SME flagship business management training, is to assist businesses establish a comprehensive small business strategy and grow. Specifically, it will be a matter of:
Supporting SMEs in the process of developing and delivering a comprehensive and complete business plan.
Guiding SMEs in the establishment of an effective and efficient leadership.
Ensuring that all SMEs in the informal sector smoothly move to the formal sector.
Empowering SMEs to develop and implement an effective and autonomous business management system.
Equipping SMEs with up-to-date, affordable marketing and sales strategies adapted to their sector of activity and level of development.
Educating entrepreneurs on accounting practices and financial models adapted to their activities.
Equipping SMEs with the means to recruit and manage the required HR for their business and adapted to their level of development.
Showing SMEs, the fundamental role of technology and innovation for business development.
Target audience
The training program is open to business owners/entrepreneurs, Business managers, especially women and youth.
Outcome of the event
At the end of the training program there should be positive shift in the knowledge and application of the various modules in small businesses.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Register now

Chronic kidney disease: Burden, determinants and prevention
2024-03-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online
Date & Time : March 27, 2024 – 03 pm to 04 pmVenue : Zoom Online (Register now)
Background
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), has emerged as one of the most prominent causes of death and suffering in the 21st century. It is a progressive condition that affects 13.4% of the general population, accounting for over 800 million individuals worldwide with between 4.90 and 7.08 million patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) needing kidney replacement therapy. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked CKD as the 10th leading cause of death and is expected to become the fifth leading cause of life lost by 2040. This disease affects individuals from low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A study reported a CKD age-standardized prevalence of 8.6% and 9.6% in men and women, respectively, in high-income countries, and 10.6% and 12.5% in men and women, respectively, in low- and middle-income countries. The results of a meta-analysis from 21 studies, showed that the prevalence of CKD in LMIC was 13.9%, and another study showed that Central Africa (16%), and West Africa (16.5%) had the highest prevalence’s in Africa. The burden of kidney disease in Africa is substantial, growing, and driven by complex and multifaceted interactions between communicable and noncommunicable diseases, shaped by upstream environmental, genetic factors, and socioeconomic disparities such as poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare. In addition, the magnitude of the attention attributed to CKDs in Africa is relatively low in view of the scope of the problem it represents. There have been few concerted efforts across Africa to produce accurate estimates that might sufficiently guide health care planning and policy development to address the effects of CKDs, despite mounting evidence of an increasing incidence of the disease. The prevention, detection, risk factors mitigation and management of kidney disease should be enhanced to reduce the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure resulting from treatment of kidney disease. A comprehensive, informed approach that considers all these factors is therefore necessary. This podcast will thus aim to throw more light on the actual situation of CKD in Africa, analyzing the different factors contributing to its propagation and proposing possible solutions to reduce its burden in Africa.
Objectives
Enhance general knowledge on the onset of CKD
Describe the Burden of CKD in Africa (Socio economic and health related)
Describe the determinants and existing prevention strategies to combat CKD in Africa
Discuss on the challenges in accessing CKD care in Africa
Explore health policies in place to tackle CKD in Africa
Propose some possible milestones in attaining a better CKD management in Africa
Expected results.
We are expecting to share information on the actual state of CKD in Africa with a target audience of 10,000 people. In addition, this podcast is expected to increase the visibility of the institute, enable discussions with enthusiasts in the domain and create leadership in the field of kidney diseases management.
Target Audience
This podcast is intended for everybody in all domains who wish to know more about the actual situation of kidney disease in Africa.
Venue
This podcast will be recorded in partnership with the communication department (graphics unit) of the foundation who will decide on the appropriate platform for the podcast.
Proposed speakers
1) Dr Gobina Ronald,
Nephrologist, Director of Health Division, Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation.
2) Dr Tataw James
Consultant Nephrologist, Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve
3) Dr Maji Joseph Usman, MWACP
Internal medicine Nephrologist, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria
4) Dr. Nzana Victorine
Nephrologist, Yaounde Central Hospital
5) Dr Nolubabalo Unati Nqebelele
Consultant Nephrologist, South Africa
Moderator
Mrs. Ngwang Diana Joyce
Health Journalist and host of Health Update, Vision 4 TV
Register now

Stakeholder Meeting : Providing Evidence-Based Policy Advice to Improve the Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in Francophone Africa
2024-03-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Djeuga Palace Hotel, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Date: March 28, 2024Time: 10:00 pm –03:00 pm (Cameroon time),
Venue: Djeuga Palace Hotel, Yaoundé (Hybrid Event)
By invitation only
Background
Francophone Africa is home to two monetary unions. The West African Monetary Union (UMOA) and the Central African Monetary Union (UMAC). The currencies of these two monetary unions are, respectively, the Franc of the African Financial Community (XOF-CFA Franc) and the Franc of the Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (XAF-CFA Franc). Each currency zone has a fixed exchange rate and limited capital mobility, and thus an independent short-term monetary policy in line with the Mundell-Fleming model. The monetary policies of the two central banks, the Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the issuing institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the issuing institution of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), are unique and primarily aimed at maintaining price stability and supporting economic growth. However, the effectiveness of these two monetary policies remains weak, with market interest rates and inflation showing little responsiveness to the actions of these two central banks. What’s more, the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy remain limited, such as the shallowness of financial markets, the rigidity of inflexible interest rates, and the limited diversification of economies, despite the well-established institutional framework and appropriate instruments used by these central banks. In order to improve the contribution of monetary policy to the resilience of francophone economies, the Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, is organizing a stakeholders’ meeting on the theme “Providing Evidence-Based Policy Advice to Improve the Effectiveness of Monetary Policy in Francophone Africa.”
Objectives
The main objective of this workshop is to discuss strategies for strengthening the effectiveness of monetary policy in the franc zone. More specifically, the workshop will focus on
Ø The role of monetary policy in the development of the Franc zone
Ø The nature and importance of exogenous shocks in CFA-franc countries
Ø Analyze and assess the reforms put in place, especially their impact on monetary policy transmission mechanisms in the CFA franc zone.
Ø The reforms needed to strengthen the effectiveness of monetary policy decisions in CFA Franc zone countries.
Target audience
The meeting will bring together 20 experts on monetary policy and stakeholders from the following organizations: central banks, ministries of finance and economic planning from French African countries, commercial banks, investors, civil society organizations, academia, international organizations, experts, and observers from other regions and institutions.
Expected outcome of the event
At the end of the different sessions, participants would have acquired a firm understanding of the place of monetary policy in Francophone Africa, particularly the role of central banks in stabilizing economies. Participants will also have a good understanding of current challenges with the shared currencies at the macroeconomic level and possible reforms to enhance the impact of monetary policy on economic performance and the welfare of citizens.
Logistics
This stakeholder meeting will be a hybrid session. It will be live-streamed on the websites and social media platforms of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation and the Nkafu Policy Institute. Simultaneous interpretation in English and French will be provided for the meeting. Documentation for the meeting will be sent electronically to online participants and shared physically with onsite participants. Lunch will be offered at the event venue for all confirmed stakeholders.
About the Nkafu Policy Institute
The Nkafu Policy Institute is an African think tank dedicated to the mission of providing independent, in-depth, and insightful policy recommendations that facilitate the prosperity of all Africans within free, fair, democratic, and sustainable economies. The Institute convenes leading analysts, experts, and contributors from around the world, specializing in the fields of governance and democracy, health and education, peace and security, science and technology, and economic policy. Its reputation is built on the values of independence, rigor, and innovation.
Contact
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org /
Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54

Job Preparedness Bootcamp Douala
2024-04-03 09:00 - 15:00
Douala, Littoral region
Date: 03th of April 2024
Venue: Soft Hotel Akwa (REGISTER NOW)
Background
The employment situation in Cameroon is characterized by underemployment. The proliferation of the informal sector is one of the factors that explain this phenomenon. The informal sector employs about 90% of the active population. Youth are increasingly struggling to occupy decent positions within the various administrations because of a number of barriers, including the inadequacy of the quality of the workforce in relation to the human resources required by the economy, but much more because of the non-compliance of enterprises with the regulations on labor standards. In implementing its new National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30), the government’s main concern is to “achieve full and productive employment and guarantee all women and men, including youths and people with disabilities, decent work and equal pay for work of equal value. Indeed, although they have appropriate levels of education for the jobs they want, youths and women still need better trainings to prepare them for the job market. To support youths and women and help them access decent jobs, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is implementing a project titled “Powering Prosperity and Economic Freedom for Women and Youths in Cameroon”. This project offers in selected regions of Cameroon, intensive Bootcamps that combine technical training workshops, job applications and interview strategies, experiential work-based learning opportunities and skills to improve the overall work performance. This Job Preparedness Bootcamp will be organized on a quarterly basis in each of the four target regions.
Objectives and Conceptual Framework
The main objective of this job preparedness bootcamp is to harness and fine-tune the skills of youths, women and Internally Displaced Persons and equip them with necessary skills for the job market.
The bootcamp will be organized on a quarterly basis in each of the four target regions.
This training is designed from a participatory process, focuses on basic life skills, technical skills development, income generation skills and soft skills development.
The development of soft skills among women and young people will focus on five proven areas: self-control, positive self-concept, social skills, communication and higher-order thinking (critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making).
This training will combine technical training workshops, job applications and interview strategies, experiential work-based learning opportunities and skills to improve the overall work performance.
Target audience
This program is designed to target all age groups especially youth and women between the ages of 15 and 35 who have difficulties at accessing the job market or bringing to existence a business venture from their skills.
Outcome of the Training
By the end of the program:
Most of the participants feel more job ready, show improvement in target areas and have better job situations within 6-12 months.
Location of the Training
The training shall take place in;
Center region,
Littoral region,
West region,
South West region, and
North West region.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 22 31 15 84 / 654 86 72 54
Onsite Registration

Operational Working Group: Fundraising by Startups in Cameroon
2024-04-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Mansel Hotel, Quartier-Fouda, Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Fundraising by Startups in CameroonDate: April 17, 2024
Time: 10:00 am (GMT+1)
Venue: Mansel Hotel, Yaoundé

Background
Cameroon has a thriving startup ecosystem, with a growing number of young startups eager to launch and expand their businesses. Known for their huge growth potential, these entities usually require heavy investments that cannot be solely mobilized by startups. However, access to finance remains a major challenge for many of these early-stage structures. They are actively seeking ways to raise funds to support their growth. Although a variety of funding opportunities exist, navigating the fundraising landscape is overwhelming for startups. In 2021, only 15% of Cameroonian startups had access to formal funding options, while the majority relied on personal savings or informal funding sources (Kabange, 2021). According to the Central African Startup Finance Report 2022, funds raised in 2022 by startups in Cameroon remained stable year-on-year at 7.3 billion francs CFA ($12 million). In 2023, the Africa platform’s report showing the breakdown by country of funds raised by young African startups revealed that Cameroon attracted fewer investors, raising just $4 million, far behind Côte d’Ivoire ($17 million), Senegal ($44 million), Benin ($71 million), South Africa ($410 million), Egypt ($640 million), and Kenya ($88 million). Limited access to capital hinders startups’ potential to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. With this in mind, the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation is organizing an operational working group on “Fundraising by Startups in Cameroon.”
Objectives
The primary objective of the operational working group is to examine the fundraising challenges faced by startups in Cameroon and shed light on how they can leverage available opportunities to improve access to finance, foster public-private partnerships, and ultimately shape the future of startups in Cameroon. Specifically, it aims to:
Identify the fundraising constraints of startups in Cameroon.
Develop strategies for Cameroonian startups to easily raise funds.
Explore the potential of public and private entities to support startup fundraising.
Investigate the possibility of establishing a startup fund to provide seed capital and support to early-stage startups in Cameroon.
Expected Outcomes
Increased fundraising capacities of startups in Cameroon.
Target audience
This event is open to policymakers, startup founders and entrepreneurs, investors, academics and researchers.
Contact details
Email: info@foretiafoundation.org / Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54
