At PROMOTE: Switzerland drums innovation to address economic, environmental challenges.

This was during a panel discussion at the International Exhibition for Enterprises, SMESs, and Partnership, PROMOTE.

Held under the theme: “Innovation at the service of sustainability”, the event brought together stakeholders from government, academia and the private sector.

Focus was to explore practical responses to global challenges through long-term partnerships and collaborative initiatives. 

“At a time when our societies are faced with numerous economic, social, and environmental challenges, innovation appears more than ever to be an essential lever for designing and implementing sustainable, inclusive solutions adapted to the realities of our time,” Ambassasor Kohli said. 

She said innovation is at the core of her country’s participation at PROMOTE. She shared the conviction that contemporary economic, social, and environmental challenges can no longer be addressed separately. 

“They demand integrated responses based on innovation, cooperation, and a long-term vision,” the diplomat stated.

She said the future Swiss embassy building in Yaounde is designed to be a “true model of sustainable and inclusive infrastructure, integrating principles of environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and the promotion of local expertise”. 

The initiative, the diplomat said, demonstrates that innovation can be put to the service of sustainable development while strengthening dialogue, cooperation, and exchanges between both nations. 

Speaking further, she said innovation doesn’t only involve new technnology or major scientific discoveries, but also involves looking at the challenges with fresh eyes, devising concrete solutions to address them in a responsible, inclusive, and long-term manner. 

Kohli said Switzerland is repeateedly ranked first in the Global Innovation Index since 2011, due a combination of structural factors.

She mentioned a vocational training and research system of excellence, a close link between science and the economy, a dynamic fabric of small and medium-sized enterprises, and an environment that fosters cooperation and innovation between public and private actors. 

She said Swiss experience shows that the most innovative ecosystems are those that promote exchange, encourage experimentation, and create bridges between academia, business, and public authorities. 

“Sustainability reminds us that economic development, social progress, and environmental preservation are not contradictory objectives, but rather the three dimensions of a single ambition to build a prosperity that benefits today's generations without compromising the possibilities of those of tomorrow,” Kohli said, noting that the Swiss government and its partners support long-term initiatives in Cameroon.

SMEs build to face local crisis 

In his interventions during the panel discussion, Minister Achille Bassilekin III said Cameroonian SMEs need to build their capacities in order to get involved in innovation.

He said government is engaging various initiatives aimed at helping SMEs access international markets beyond the Economic Partnership Agreements that allow Cameroonian SMEs and businesses to access the European community market, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

The minister also mentioned another initiative for SMEs is China, which offers African countries the opportunity to export completely duty-free, without quota limitations, to the Chinese market. He also cited major environmental and financial challenges facing SMEs added to access to credit to strengthen the production tool. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3825 of Monday June 22, 2026