Forty-eight young Cameroonian entrepreneurs have been selected for the incubation phase of Mboa Jeunes Créatifs, a program promoting youth entrepreneurship and job creation. They were officially presented at a ceremony in Yaoundé on July 17.
The selection was conducted through REJEUNES-DY, a project supporting youth employability, economic empowerment and civic engagement in Yaoundé and Douala. Cameroun Entreprises Développement (CED) implements the project in partnership with the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD) as part of Mboa Jeunes Créatifs, which is financed by the Fonds Équipe France.
Program Selects 48 Entrepreneurs From 1,240 Applicants
Organizers received 1,240 applications from entrepreneurs in Yaoundé and Douala. More than 250 applicants passed the initial screening, with 132 subsequently taking part in entrepreneurship awareness and training sessions. During the final selection phase in Yaoundé, 63 projects were presented to a panel of experts, which selected the 48 entrepreneurs who will join the incubation program.
Their projects span four priority sectors: the green economy, digital innovation, the social and solidarity economy, and crafts and creative industries. During the incubation phase, participants will receive advanced business training, personalized coaching and mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and sector specialists. They will also be helped to structure their projects, refine their business models and prepare to seek financing.
CED Project Manager Antoine Bitting said the objective is to help participants turn their ideas into strong, innovative and sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs. Program Manager Augustine Louvel added that some entrepreneurs could receive financing after field assessments, allowing them to expand their businesses in neighborhoods across Yaoundé and Douala.
Program Reports 337 Direct Jobs Since 2025
The initiative is part of a broader ecosystem supported by Mboa Jeunes Créatifs, covering fields such as fashion, media, digital services, culture and urban sports. Since the program was launched in 2025, supported activities have generated 337 direct jobs, while 547 young people have completed vocational training, according to program officials.
Scheduled to run until 2027, Mboa Jeunes Créatifs combines entrepreneurship support with youth spaces and community initiatives intended to expand economic opportunities for young people. The latest cohort will now focus on developing and implementing viable business projects capable of generating jobs and contributing to local economic development.
Mercy Fosoh