By Bruno Ittia*
Women entrepreneurs in Cameroon represent a powerful force for economic development, with the country ranking third in Africa for female entrepreneurship. Despite their growing numbers and innovative approaches, these business owners often struggle to scale their enterprises beyond the initial startup phase, facing unique barriers that limit their growth potential.
“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world in general and in Africa in particular,” observes Brice Nsengue, Assistant Manager of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center (SBEC). “Female entrepreneurship today appears to be the most useful tool for exploiting this reservoir.”
It’s this recognition of untapped potential that drives the vision behind the 2025 SBEC Forum, set to unfold on April 29-30 at La Falaise Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Under the theme “Scaling Up: Expanding Youth and Women-Led SMEs in Cameroon,” the forum promises to become a transformative platform where ambitious female entrepreneurs can find the resources, connections, and knowledge needed to take their businesses beyond survival mode and into prosperity.
The Paradox of Potential
The statistics tell a striking story. Africa boasts the highest percentage of female entrepreneurs globally, with Cameroon ranking third on the continent. Yet, this entrepreneurial spirit remains constrained by systemic challenges. Only 12% of the country’s SMEs are formally registered, with women-led businesses particularly likely to remain in the shadows of the informal economy, limiting their access to financing, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
“What we’ve observed over the years is that starting a business is just the first step,” explains Sylvia Namondo, Interim Director of SBEC. “The real challenge for women entrepreneurs comes when they attempt to scale. They encounter barriers that range from limited access to capital to challenging regulatory frameworks, obstacles that the 2025 SBEC Forum specifically addresses through both practical support and policy advocacy.”
The Power of Targeted Support
The 2025 SBEC Forum builds upon a foundation of success stories that illustrate the transformative power of targeted support. Among SBEC’s network of accomplished entrepreneurs is Ms. Essama Ebene Florence, whose journey from small-scale farmer to agribusiness leader exemplifies the kind of transformation SBEC seeks to catalyze.
Florence’s company, Blessing Enterprises SARL, began as a modest poultry operation with 300 broiler chickens. After two years as a Premium Member of SBEC, accessing both technical support and network connections, she’s poised to double her production capacity. “The impact is measurable and substantial,” she notes.
“We’re not just talking about increased production, but we’re creating employment opportunities for young Cameroonians and strengthening food security in our communities.”
Another notable success within the SBEC network is Ms. Mboni Atogo, founder of Boni’s Classy Cakes and Party Piece. This Yaoundé-based pastry business has grown from a home kitchen operation to a sought-after supplier of wedding and celebration cakes. Through SBEC’s guidance and resources, Atogo has transformed her passion for baking into a sustainable business model with consistent growth over the past year.
These entrepreneurs represent the ripple effect that happens when women business owners receive the right combination of mentorship, resources, and market connections, exactly what the 2025 SBEC Forum aims to provide on a larger scale.
Practical Pathways to Business Expansion
What distinguishes the SBEC Forum from other business events is its emphasis on practical, actionable support rather than theoretical discussions. The 2025 edition will feature speed mentoring sessions where established business leaders share insights with emerging entrepreneurs. Exhibition spaces will showcase women-led businesses, creating immediate market connections. Structured networking events will facilitate relationships with financial institutions and potential business partners.
For entrepreneurs like Ms. Fokem Ethevise Flore, CEO of Entreprises Nuances SARL, such practical support has translated into tangible growth. Her fashion company, which specializes in designs made from local fabrics, has leveraged SBEC’s support to increase turnover by at least 30% through modernized production methods. Perhaps more significantly, the addition of skilled sales personnel and digital marketing support has opened new markets through online channels, boosting e-commerce sales by approximately 25%.
“The forum isn’t just about inspiration. It’s about transformation,” emphasizes Brice Nsengue. “When participants leave, they carry with them not just new ideas but concrete connections, tools, and opportunities that can immediately impact their businesses.”
Beyond the immediate benefits to individual entrepreneurs, the SBEC Forum serves a broader purpose in Cameroon’s economic landscape. By bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers from relevant government ministries, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners, the forum creates a unique ecosystem for advocating policy reforms that benefit women and youth-led businesses.
“We’re not just supporting individual businesses. We are working to transform the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Namondo explains. “When we bring all these stakeholders together, we create opportunities for policy changes that can benefit thousands of entrepreneurs beyond those who attend the forum.”
Creating a Sustainable Impact
With support from the Rising Tide Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation has created a platform that transcends the limitations of a typical business forum.
As April 29 approaches, anticipation builds among past participants and newcomers alike. Florence and Atogo have already confirmed their participation, eager to share their journeys and connect with the next generation of women business leaders. Their stories represent the tangible outcomes that can emerge from the connections and knowledge shared at the forum.
“What makes this forum special is the community it creates,” reflects Nsengue. “Years after attending, entrepreneurs continue to collaborate, support each other, and grow together. It’s not just a two-day event, it’s the beginning of a journey toward sustainable business growth.”
For women entrepreneurs ready to scale their businesses, the message is clear: The 2025 SBEC Forum offers not just inspiration but also practical pathways to growth. Registration remains open for entrepreneurs, support organizations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders interested in contributing to the expansion of women-led businesses in Cameroon.
For more information, contact the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Center at info@foretiafoundation.org, call (+237) 654 86 72 54, or register at https://tinyurl.com/5b98saxk.
*Bruno Ittia, Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation
*Courtesy of April Issue of PAV Magazine
