Chamber of Commerce: NW boss announces plan to empower young entrepreneurs.

Dubbed: “Business Plan Competition Programme, BPC”, the initiative will be realised under the Adaptive Safety Nets and Economic Inclusion Project, according to the statement.

The North West Region Chamber of Commerce boss, Edison Fru Ndi, who unveiled the ambitious project, said the initiative is in line with the vision of the Head of State, expressed during his 60th Youth Day message, reaffirming that youth entrepreneurship and job creation remain key priorities for national development.

Edison Fru Ndi noted that the amount to be awarded to beneficiaries will depend on the strength, viability and growth potential of submitted business plan.

He disclosed that: “Applicants must be Cameroonian nationals aged 18-35 years; be engaged in a start-up or enterprise; operate in the formal or informal sector; present a viable and scalable business project and business must be operational in the City of Bamenda”.

He furthered that “…all sectors of the economy, with strong growth potential are encouraged, including agriculture processing, industry, construction, digital services, and innovation driven activities”.

“Registration and submission of business plans shall be done through the official online platform to be operational in the month of March (duration: 6 weeks upon the official opening of the platform,” he announced.

He added that: “Youths of the North West Region are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their concept notes and business plans ahead of the submission window”.

“The CCIMA North West Regional delegation in Bamenda remains available to guide applicants on business registration and formalization, provide advisory support in refining business plans and offer orientation on eligibility and compliance requirements,” the statement continued.

According to Edison Fru Ndi, the announced programme represents a concrete opportunity for the country’s youths to translate ambition into structured economic empowerment. 

“It is a practical response to the national call for perseverance, innovation and responsible entrepreneurship,” he concluded.

The second phase in the North West Region of The Adaptive Safety Nets and Economic Inclusion Project, it should be said, was officially launched in January this year.

It was launched in the course of a technical workshop held in Bamenda. The workshop also witnessed the presentation of the project and establishment of a Regional Jury, responsible for selecting beneficiaries.

The initiative targets young Cameroonian entrepreneurs in urban areas who already operate micro or small businesses with strong growth and job-creation potential. 

In the North West Region, 150 young entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 35, will be selected to benefit from grants ranging from an average of 5.5 million FCFA to a maximum of 11 million FCFA, depending on the nature of their business activities.

Speaking during the workshop, the Manager of the Business Plan Competition, Achuamang Muna Emmanuela, said the project focuses on real and existing businesses operating in both the formal and informal sectors. 

She explained that the goal is to generate tangible economic impact by supporting enterprises that can scale and create jobs.

She announced that the application platform will open in March 2026, with youth required to submit a summary business plan online. 

To ensure inclusiveness, physical registration centers will also be available to assist applicants facing connectivity or technical challenges. 

Independent evaluators will assess applications anonymously to guarantee transparency and traceability throughout the process.

The competition will follow a multi-stage process, including verification of existing businesses, training sessions to improve business plans, anonymous evaluation, and a final pitch before a Regional jury. The pitch will account for 20 percent of the final score. 

Selected beneficiaries will receive grants in installments and be assigned business coaches for 18 months to ensure effective fund use and sustained growth.

To strengthen governance and credibility, a seven-member Regional Jury Committee was established during the workshop. 

The jury includes representatives of a public incubator, the Regional Delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, the Regional Delegation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, the Regional Delegation of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, the Chamber of Commerce, private incubators, and youth associations.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3705 of Monday February 16, 2026