Cameroon received CFA 5 billion in support from Germany to help young entrepreneurs and women- owned businesses.

In Ahala, a suburb of Yaoundé, Akuah Ndefru runs Johina Centre, a cosy spot selling plant- based remedies. Thanks to €2,500, 500 from the Widu Africa project, supported by the German government, she improved her production area, leading to a big boost in her business- monthly earnings grew from CFA 1 million to CFA 5 million, with 7, 000 balms sold each month in Chad.

In Nkolbisson, another vibrant neighbourhood of Yaoundé, Grace Yimta Kanmegne expanded her mushroom processing business, Agro Valoris Plus. With $5,000, 000 in support from the “Investing in Young Businesses in Africa: Women Entrepreneurs in Africa” (IYBA WE 4 A) project and some entrepreneurship training, she now produces 111 kg of enriched mushrooms each month, sold at CFA 3, 000 per kg.

Many young entrepreneurs across Cameroon are reaping the benefits of German- backed financing and support through three government programs that are currently under review by German cooperation in Cameroon.

Since 2020, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has introduced these helpful tools to support very small businesses: Widu Africa, Prodef, and IYBA WE 4 A. The total investment has surpassed CFA 5 billion.

Widu Africa acts as a co- financing platform that involves the diaspora, the German government, and entrepreneurs themselves. The diaspora starts by choosing eligible businesses and then co- invests alongside the entrepreneurs. Since 2020, BMZ has contributed € 3. 96 million (about CFA 2. 5 billion), which has been matched by € 3. 5 million (around CFA 2. 2 billion) in private and personal funds. This support has helped 2, 200 businesses, nearly half of which are led by women.

Through Prodef, BMZ has invested €3 million (close to CFA 2 billion) since September 2023. This project encourages gender equality, economic participation, and digital inclusion, especially for rural women micro- entrepreneurs in western Cameroon. It helps formalise their activities and supports 90 entrepreneurs in villages like Fondjomokwet, Bameka, and Batoufam.

Meanwhile, IYBA WE 4 A—which is funded with €20 million by the EU, the OEACP, and the German government—has provided CFA 3 million in seed capital to 105 women entrepreneurs, supported by the Tony Elumelu Foundation. All three initiatives are overseen by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).