ECA encourages youth entrepreneurship in Cameroon
A total of ten young entrepreneurs in Cameroon are going into business this week thanks to collateral-free loans they won at the end of an entrepreneurship event that received the technical support of the Economic Commission for Africa.
The ten were selected after a rigorous business-plan review during the Second International Summit and Entrepreneurship and Job Creation organised by the Youth Employment Service (YES) – Cameroon from 18 to 21 November 2014, in Yaounde. The Loans have been provided by the Mutuelle d’Epargne et de Crédit pour le Développement de l’Entreprenariat des Femmes et des Jeunes au Cameroun (MUDEF) that worked alongside YES Cameroon and ECA during the Summit.
Among the projects that go into business are a virtual bus-ticketing booking service (which would be a first in Cameroon), a natural fruit panache business that will use seasonal fruits to naturally fight matching seasonal pathogens, a massive maize (and other crops) farming scheme and a financial consultancy to help start-ups keep the momentum in business.
Speaking at the start of the Summit on behalf of the Director of the Sub Regional Office for Central Africa of ECA, Communication Officer Abel Akara Ticha outlined 10 points to inspire the young delegates take a journey into entrepreneurship and innovation. These bordered on identifying and following a passion, observing the needs of particular and global environments, getting leadership training, networking, planning and resilience to adversity.
“You must constantly create, innovate and create!” he told the youths, while urging them to put their imagination to work.
Meanwhile ECA’s Economic Affairs officer Laurent D’Aronco demonstrated the importance of using ICTs to advance small businesses, saying their proper configuration would lead to permanent exchange between colleagues, the better management of human resources and seamless exchange between the company and its audiences as well as a company and its shareholders.
At the end of the summit, both the Executive Director of YES – Cameroon, Mr Gildbert Ewehmeh and the General Manager of MUDEF, Ms Mbakop Josiane, praised ECA for its engagement in promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa and made a solemn request for its continuous technical support in the sector.