By Nadege Dzilamonyuy Limnyuy & Julliet Mesame
Women entrepreneurs in Cameroon are preparing for the inaugural Regional Women’s Entrepreneurship and Trade Fair (SAREFC). The event is led by the Federation of Associations of Women Entrepreneurs of Cameroon (FAsFECAM) in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Crafts (CCIMA).
On January 20, organizers held a press conference to finalize preparations and share key details about the upcoming fair.
Under the theme: “Local Transportation and Added Value: Boosting Product Competitiveness in the Littoral and Southwest Regions,” the trade fair is scheduled to take place in Douala from February 4 to 6. It is organized under the patronage of Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, Governor of the Littoral Region, with participation from partners in the Southwest Region.
During the press briefing, Elysée Deumany, General Commissioner of SAREFC, emphasized that women constitute a substantial portion of business owners in Cameroon, particularly within very small enterprises. However, she remarked that their representation remains minimal in larger companies and higher-value sectors.
Deumany attributed this disparity to the persistent challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. These include restricted access to financing due to stringent collateral demands, high interest rates, a lack of information, and enduring biases. Additional hurdles are insufficient visibility in local, national, and international markets, and limited access to essential training in areas such as business management, finance, digital technology, innovation, and leadership.
SAREFC aims to provide a dynamic platform for women entrepreneurs in the Littoral and Southwest Regions to present their initiatives, showcase their expertise, and promote their products and services to potential buyers, investors, and partners.
The fair is also designed to foster networking and collaboration among entrepreneurs, suppliers, mentors, financial institutions, and clients. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from best practices, establish synergies, explore co-investment opportunities, and gain insights into FAsFECAM, including the possibility of joining the federation and taking part in future national and international trade fairs.
Capacity building will be a significant focus, featuring workshops, conferences, and training sessions on topics such as management, marketing, digital technology, exports, financing, taxation, legal frameworks, and artificial intelligence. The event will also raise awareness about regulatory, tax, and customs issues, facilitating dialogue with banks, support funds, NGOs, and private investors. Key highlights will include project presentations and initiatives for mobilizing funding and grants.
Gisele Caroline Ngobe Ekoh, the Regional Delegate for Women’s Empowerment and the Promotion of the Family, expressed her institution’s support for the initiative. She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to backing the event, stating, “Our department is responsible for promoting women and families, and we believe it is our duty to support this trade fair. We understand the challenges women face and the essential contributions they make to Cameroon’s development. We are confident that an event like this will empower women to overcome difficult conditions and enhance their livelihoods.”