During his first apostolic journey to Africa, Pope Leo XIV framed investment in education, training and entrepreneurship as a “strategic choice for peace.” In Cameroon, the message lands as the government scales a multi-billion-franc push to position youth entrepreneurship as a central driver of economic growth.
When the Pope addressed authorities, diplomats and civil society at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé on April 15, he tied human capital directly to stability. “Investing in the education, training, and entrepreneurship of young people is… the only way to curb the outflow of wonderful talent,” he said.
That message aligns closely with a policy direction already underway. According to MINPMEESA’s 2024 Statistical Yearbook, small and medium-sized enterprises account for 99% of registered businesses in Cameroon, representing 444,302 firms, contributing roughly half of GDP and 60% of total employment. The sector has become the government’s primary lever for economic transformation under the National Development Strategy (NDS30).
Programs targeting youth entrepreneurship are already delivering measurable results. The Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVA), launched in 2018, had by March 2025 trained 1,770 young people and supported the creation of 712 businesses, exceeding initial targets, according to government data and Ecofin Agency reporting. Female participation is also rising: the share of SMEs created by women increased from 23.73% in 2018 to 26.57% in 2023, reflecting sustained policy support.
The government is now reinforcing that trajectory with fresh capital. The 2026 Finance Law introduced a 50 billion CFA francs fund dedicated to women’s economic empowerment and youth employment. At the same time, the African Development Bank is financing a €136 million (about 89.2 billion CFA francs) program focused on youth employment in the Far North region between 2025 and 2030.
At the operational level, MINPMEESA is scaling direct support. Minister Achille Bassilekin III recently announced 420 million CFA francs in funding for 22 junior enterprises emerging from university incubators. The objective, he said, is to build “a new generation of companies led by professional entrepreneurs” capable of becoming national champions.
Demographics reinforce the urgency. With a median age of 18 and more than 60% of the population under 25, according to the World Bank, Cameroon faces both a structural risk and an opportunity: converting a large youth population into productive economic actors.
Regional integration adds another layer. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens access to a continental market, with agro-industry, wood processing and textile value chains identified by MINPMEESA as priority sectors. However, the ministry notes that standardization and certification remain critical constraints for SMEs seeking to scale.
Policy support is also being reinforced at the highest level. In his November 6, 2025 investiture address, the President outlined fiscal and administrative measures to support private firms, tied to commitments on youth employment, alongside expanded financing mechanisms involving banks and international partners.
What the moment means for business
The convergence is notable. Cameroon’s SME sector already dominates the economic landscape and benefits from active policy support, dedicated financing, and growing institutional backing. What the current moment adds is visibility and alignment: international messaging, government strategy and funding mechanisms are pointing in the same direction.
For investors and entrepreneurs, the signal is clear. Youth-driven enterprise is no longer a peripheral policy objective—it is being positioned as a core engine of growth, employment and, increasingly, economic stability.
Mercy Fosoh