Cameroon is encouraging rural women in Ndian Division, South-West Region, to organize their businesses into cooperatives and common initiative groups. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) and the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), aims to help women structure their economic activities, pool resources and develop income-generating opportunities.
The initiative was presented on October 15, 2026, during International Rural Women's Day celebrations in Mundemba. According to MINPMEESA, its Divisional Delegate for Ndian explained the procedures for establishing Common Initiative Groups (CIGs) and Simplified Cooperative Societies (SCOOPS), two forms of collective organization intended to help women better manage and develop their businesses.
Beyond cooperative formation, participants received practical training in liquid soap production. The session aimed to equip women with skills for small-scale production and provide opportunities to diversify their sources of income.
Women’s role in the economy
The initiative comes as agriculture remains a major source of employment for women in Cameroon. According to World Bank data based on International Labour Organization estimates, approximately 44.8% of employed women in the country worked in agriculture in 2025.
Access to productive resources is another area of intervention. UN Women's 2025 country results report indicates that 75 women's associations, representing approximately 1,875 women, secured land titles through its interventions in Cameroon. Another 50 land titles were being finalized, with an estimated 1,250 additional women expected to benefit. These efforts are aimed at improving women's access to land and supporting their agricultural activities.
In Ndian, the joint MINPMEESA-MINPROFF initiative focuses on business organization and practical entrepreneurship training. The October 15 gathering, held at the Mundemba Council Chambers, brought together women involved in local economic activities under the theme "Investing in Rural Women: A Lever for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development."
The event was chaired by the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Ndian, Feujio Kwedjeu Jocelin. According to MINPMEESA, the collaboration with MINPROFF is intended to help rural women build more sustainable income-generating activities and strengthen their participation in the local economy.
Mercy Fosoh