Youth Connekt Cameroon 2026 Exhibition: Young Entrepreneurs Showcase Their Expertise
Activities for the 7th edition of the Youth Connekt Cameroon Convention continued at the National Museum in Yaounde with an exhibition of products, services and offers, along with promotional sales. Capacity-building sessions covered standards and quality, business creation and management, and financial education.
By CHARLIE LEKISABIH
The National Museum in Yaoundé, where the Youth Connekt Cameroon Convention activities are taking place from November 9 to 13, 2026, was packed with young entrepreneurs who came to showcase their work. Here, you can find the following sectors of activity:
CCEC: Financial Services for Young Project Owners
The Caisse Camerounaise d’Épargne et de Crédit (CCEC S.A.) is a Category 2 microfinance institution licensed and supervised by the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC). Established in 1996, it is headquartered in the Hippodrome neighborhood of Yaoundé. It has more than 5,000 active clients, including individuals, vulnerable social groups, young project owners and organizations such as Common Initiative Groups (GICs), Economic Interest Groups (GIEs) and NGOs.
Its core services include:
Accounts and savings: standard savings accounts, EPSCO, Christmas savings, cash certificates (bons de caisse), daily savings, checking accounts and business accounts.Loans and financing: salary advances, school and equipment loans, public procurement financing, real estate financing and invoice discountingPayments: the CCEC VISA prepaid cardMoney transfers: Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, WorldRemit, Paytop and Sigue, as well as mobile wallets (MTN MoMo and Orange Money)
CFPAM: Vocational Training for Self-Employment
The Arts and Crafts Vocational Training Center (Centre de Formation Professionnelle des Arts et Métiers, CFPAM) was also present. The institution offers programs focused on socio-economic integration and self-employment. Programs: practical courses of 3, 6, 9, 12 or 24 months leading to a Diploma of Professional Qualification (DQP), Certificate of Professional Qualification (CQP) or Advanced Technician Certificate (BTS), in management, IT, multimedia, audiovisual, beauty, catering, port operations, heavy equipment operation and QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment).
Driving school:
Category A and B licensesEntrepreneurial support: incubator services, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and savings and credit programs for project financingLocations: in Yaoundé, at Ekounou, opposite the Gazolent entrance; in Douala, at Ange Raphaël, opposite UBA, near the ESSEC entrance.
AfriYAN: Youth Voices on Population and Development
Visitors also met the African Youth and Adolescents Network on Population and Development (AfriYAN). It is a youth-led continental network that promotes youth leadership, participation in decision-making, and advocacy on population and development issues across Africa, often with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Its key focus areas are:Sexual and reproductive health and rights: improving youth access to health education, family planning and services. Gender equality: working toward zero gender-based violence and empowering young women and girlsEducation and employability: advocating for inclusive education and economic opportunities for adolescents and youthPeace, security and climate action: involving young people in governance, community sustainability and peace-buildingAfriYAN works through national chapters, including AfriYAN Cameroon, AfriYAN DRC, AfriYAN Ghana, and chapters in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria. These chapters connect youth-led organizations to regional and international development goals.
CNYC: The Voice of Youth Organizations
The Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC; in French, Conseil National de la Jeunesse du Cameroun, CNJC) is the official national forum and representative body for youth organizations in Cameroon. It was established in 2009 by President Paul Biya and operates in all 10 regions, representing more than 11,000 youth-led organizations.
Its core missions are: Supporting professional development, youth counseling, funding and advocacyDefending young people’s interests at national and international decision-making tables, Fostering grassroots engagement and connecting local youth with the Cameroonian diaspora through dedicated commissions, Working with initiatives such as Youth Connekt Cameroon to promote civic and political inclusion and socio-economic opportunities.
Famar Wellness: Massotherapy and Well-Being
Famar Wellness is a wellness and massotherapy practice founded by Fabrice Marrel Epoh. It has a main center in Brussels, Belgium, and an initiative in Yaoundé. Its representative was interviewed.
Douala’s Fish Producers’ Organizations
The fish producers’ organizations, cooperatives and unions of Douala also featured at the event. They play a decisive role in managing the city’s two main fishing hubs: Youpwè (Douala II) and Bonassama (Douala IV, in Bonabéri).These structures bring together artisanal fishers, wholesalers and traders, large-scale buyers, retailers and fish scalers. They organize the market, defend members’ economic interests and work with local authorities, notably the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA). Their key missions include:Regulating prices and spaces: allocating market stalls and managing conflicts between trades, such as retailers and fish scalersImproving incomes: negotiating group purchases of fishing equipment (nets, pirogue engines) and reducing post-harvest lossesInstitutional dialogue: acting as the interface with the Douala Urban Council (CUD) and MINEPIA on the operational and fiscal management of fish landing infrastructure.
