At SUFAWE 2024: SCB Cameroun MD reaffirms bank’s commitment to promote women entrepreneurs.

He was speaking in Douala during the 2024 edition of Stand Up For African Women Entrepreneur, SUFAWE, an initiative by the African Development Club of the Attijariwafa Bank Group.

Beziaud noted that through the SUFAWE programme, SCB Cameroun is out to promote and support female entrepreneurship in the continent, notably via integration into business corridors.

He added that they intend to push the network of banks of the Attijariwafa Bank Group currently present in 16 countries in Africa, to support and engage in structuring of projects for women entrepreneurs, the exploitation of tools and services of the Africa Development Club, leading to the creation of added value business opportunities and other actions. 

Held in Douala, between February 21 and 23, the year's edition of SUFAWE saw the presence of the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy and handicrafts, MINPMESSA, Achille Bassilekin III.

Also present were the Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua; the Director General of the SCB subsidiary of the Attijariwafah Group. Also in attendance were many women leaders including Kate Fotso, and Nathalie Bitho in their respective capacity as 1st and 2nd SUFAWE ambassadors. The event was held under the theme: “Women's entrepreneurship: accelerator inclusive growth”. 

For two days, panelists led the over 200 participants to business and B2B meetings, master classes as well as training administered free of charge by the Attijariwafa Group and Adaptation of African Agriculture, AAA - a foundation mandated by the African Union for the promotion and support of African agricultural ecosystems in terms of sustainability and access to green financing funds.

It should be noted that the SUFAWE programme was launched across the CEMAC region in Douala in March 2022 by SCB Cameroun, with the collaboration of Union Gabonaise de Banque, Crédit du Congo and Attijari Bank Chad, a subsidiaries of the Attijariwafa Bank Group.

Through the programme, SCB Cameroun aims to be a key player in the promotion and support of women entrepreneurs in Cameroon.

Participants, through master classes, immersed themselves in programmes designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to strive in the competitive business landscape.

Emphasis was laid on inclusive growth aligned perfectly with the Cameroon's government development priorities. 

By promoting the development of women-led businesses, the programme contributes to economic diversification and job creation, ultimately benefiting the entire community.

The presence of the Minister of SMEs, Bassilekin III, at the inauguration ceremony, was seen by organisers as government's commitment to supporting female entrepreneurship. With a focus on training, mentoring and networking opportunities, SUFAWE is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of countless Cameroonian women.

Trophies to laureates 

It should be noted that the first SUFAWE trophy, in recognition of the inspiring and exemplary journeys of African women entrepreneurs, was awarded to Kate Fotso, CEO Telcar Cocoa in October 2019. 

This was on the sidelines of the multi-sectoral mission of the Africa Development Club organised in Cameroon with SCB Cameroun. 

Nathalie Bitho, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo, received the second Trophy on the occasion of the official launch of the Africa Development Togo Club with BIA Togo in May 2023 in Lomé, which also inaugurated the SUFAWE programme in Togo.

2024 awardee 

This year’s SUFAWE programme was another opportunity to reward aspiring and established women business owners. The SUFAWE Cameroon 2024 trophy was awarded to Nelly Chatue Diop, founder of Fintech Ejara.

The prize, according to Alexendre Beziaud, Managing Director of SCB Cameroun, is a guarantee of recognition of the values of leadership, commitment and solidarity that Nelly Chatue Diop embodies and conveys, through her significant action in entrepreneurship and also for her contribution to the creation of value and jobs.