Date : April 29 & 30, 2025Venue : La Falaise Hotel, Yaound\u00e9-Cameroon
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\nBackground
\n\u00a0Cameroon, like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, faces a rapidly growing population of youth and women aspiring to participate in economic growth through entrepreneurship. Female entrepreneurs represent 24% of Africa\u2019s workforce, with the continent boasting the highest percentage of female entrepreneurship globally, surpassing regions like Southeast Asia and Europe. Despite this, Cameroon, ranked third in Africa for female entrepreneurship, faces numerous challenges preventing the full realization of youth and women-led businesses\u2019 potential.
\nCurrently, a very large proportion of Cameroon\u2019s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate in the informal sector, with only 12% formally registered. Major obstacles\u2014such as limited access to finance, inadequate business planning, a challenging tax structure, and weak infrastructure\u2014stifle the growth of women and youth-led enterprises. In addition, public sector job creation has been unable to keep pace with the growing population, particularly among the youth, further pushing the need for private sector growth through entrepreneurship.
\nRecognizing the critical role women and youth entrepreneurship will play in Cameroon\u2019s economic future, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC) of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is organizing the 2025 SBEC Forum under the theme: \u201cScaling Up: Expanding Youth and Women-Led SMEs in Cameroon.\u201d This forum seeks to foster discussions on how to scale up SMEs, particularly those led by women and youth, to drive inclusive economic development.
\nObjectives
\nThe 2025 SBEC Forum aims to catalyze the expansion of youth and women-led SMEs in Cameroon by creating a supportive ecosystem that addresses existing challenges and promotes sustainable business practices. The specific objectives are:<\/p>\n
Assess the effectiveness of current policies that support women and youth entrepreneurship in Cameroon.
\nAdvocate for policy reforms that create a robust and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem for women and youth.
\nPromote public-private partnerships to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
\nRecommend policy solutions to improve access to finance, streamline the tax burden, and increase formalization of SMEs in Cameroon.<\/p>\n
Thematic Areas
\nDiscussions during the forum will focus on the following key areas:<\/p>\n
Education and Entrepreneurship: Strengthening the educational system to instill entrepreneurial skills and long-term entrepreneurial thinking among youth.
\nFinancial Inclusion: The role of microfinance institutions and other financial entities in expanding access to funding for youth and women-led SMEs.
\nPublic-Private Partnerships: Enhancing collaboration between public institutions and private entities to build a more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
\nPromoting \u201cMade in Cameroon\u201d: Exploring how large distribution chains can support the growth and visibility of locally produced goods from women and youth-led enterprises.<\/p>\n
Infrastructure and Competitiveness: Examining the role of government infrastructure policies in improving the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs.<\/p>\n
Target Audience
\n\u00a0The 2025 SBEC Forum will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:<\/p>\n
Public and Private SME Support Structures
\nCivil Society Organizations
\nPolicymakers from relevant government ministries such as the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MINPMEESA), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC), Ministry of Women\u2019s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), and others.
\nEntrepreneurs and Cooperatives: Focus on women and youth-led businesses.
\nFinancial Institutions: Including banks, microfinance institutions, and investment agencies.
\nInternational Organizations: Engaged in cooperation and development.
\nBusiness Consulting Firms: Offering expertise on scaling SMEs.
\nPublic-Private Enterprises
\nThe General Public: Interested in entrepreneurship and SME development.<\/p>\n
Format of the Forum
\n\u00a0The 2025 SBEC Forum will be held in-person. The program will include:<\/p>\n
Breakout Sessions: Focused discussions on thematic areas.
\nPanel Discussions: Expert panels featuring government officials, entrepreneurs, financial experts, and international development partners.
\nExhibitions: Showcase of products and services from youth and women-led SMEs.
\nAwards Ceremony: Recognition of outstanding performers in the SBEC network for innovation and business growth.<\/p>\n
Venue and Date
\n\u00a0The Forum will be held from April 29 to 30, 2025 in Yaound\u00e9, Cameroon. It will be held in English and French, with simultaneous interpretation.
\nPartners and Supporters
\nThe 2025 SBEC Forum is made possible by generous support from the Rising Tide Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, the Atlas Network and the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation. To support this initiative, please send email to sbec@foretiafoundation.org
\nContacts
\n\u00a0Questions related to the organization of this event can be sent to:
\nMs Sylvia Namondo
\nInterim Director, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC)
\nDirector of Operations,
\nDenis and Lenora Foretia Foundation
\nsbec@foretiafoundation.org \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0P: (+237) 222 31 15 84 \/ (+237) 654 86 72 54
\nwww.foretiafoundation.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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