Entrepreneurship is transforming economies around the world. Yet no entrepreneurial ecosystem can thrive without strong partnerships among the organizations that support entrepreneurs every day.
Across Cameroon, hundreds of organizations are working tirelessly to mentor entrepreneurs, train young innovators, support startups, strengthen SMEs, foster innovation and create economic opportunities within their communities. Many of these organizations are making a remarkable impact, but too often they operate in isolation and remain disconnected from national and international networks that could significantly amplify their reach and effectiveness.
The Global Entrepreneurship Network Cameroon (GEN Cameroon) believes the time has come to build stronger connections.
As part of the implementation of its 2026–2028 Strategic Vision, GEN Cameroon is launching an unprecedented National Listening and Partnership Tour, which will travel across all 58 divisions of Cameroon during August and September 2026.
Rather than designing future programs solely from the national level, GEN Cameroon has chosen to begin by listening.
Throughout this nationwide tour, the GEN Cameroon leadership team will meet entrepreneurship support organizations, ecosystem builders, business associations, innovation hubs, incubators, universities, youth and women organizations, development partners and other local stakeholders to better understand the unique realities of each territory, identify local priorities, showcase successful initiatives and build long-term partnerships that will strengthen entrepreneurship across Cameroon.
This initiative represents one of the most ambitious ecosystem engagement efforts ever undertaken by GEN Cameroon.
Building a Stronger National Entrepreneurial Network
Cameroon is home to one of Central Africa's most vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems.
From entrepreneurship promotion organizations and SME support centers to innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators, universities, vocational training institutions, business associations, chambers of commerce, cooperatives, women-led organizations, youth organizations and local governments, thousands of dedicated professionals are working every day to support entrepreneurs and stimulate economic development.
Despite this richness, the ecosystem remains insufficiently connected.
Many organizations face similar challenges without knowing that potential collaborators already exist in other parts of the country—or within the wider Global Entrepreneurship Network.
GEN Cameroon believes that strengthening entrepreneurship requires more than supporting entrepreneurs alone. It also requires strengthening the organizations that empower entrepreneurs.
By connecting these organizations into a coordinated national network that is fully integrated with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, new opportunities can emerge for collaboration, knowledge exchange, international visibility, joint programming and strategic partnerships.
Why Join GEN Cameroon?
Participating in this nationwide consultation is far more than attending a local meeting.
It is an opportunity to engage directly with the leadership of GEN Cameroon, contribute to the future development of Cameroon's entrepreneurial ecosystem and explore collaboration within one of the world's largest entrepreneurship communities.
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) operates in more than 200 countries and territories, connecting entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, researchers, universities, startup support organizations, innovation hubs and ecosystem builders across the globe.
Through GEN Cameroon, local organizations can progressively connect to this international community and gain access to new opportunities for cooperation, global visibility, knowledge sharing and participation in flagship initiatives such as Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC).
For many organizations, this could become the starting point for international partnerships capable of expanding their impact well beyond their local communities.
Preparing for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026
The National Listening and Partnership Tour also marks the official beginning of Cameroon's preparations for Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2026.
Following Cameroon's strong performance during GEW 2025, which placed the country 30th globally and 9th in Africa based on registered activities, GEN Cameroon is now championing a bold national ambition: to position Cameroon among the Top 3 African countries and within the Top 10 worldwide for Global Entrepreneurship Week participation and registered activities.
Achieving this objective will require unprecedented collaboration.
It cannot be accomplished by a single organization.
It will require the active engagement of universities, municipalities, innovation hubs, incubators, business associations, youth organizations, women's organizations, private companies, development partners and public institutions across every region of the country.
The National Listening and Partnership Tour is the first major step toward building that collective movement.
A Call to Every Entrepreneurship Support Organization
GEN Cameroon invites all organizations involved in entrepreneurship promotion, SME development, innovation, business support, youth empowerment, women's economic empowerment, startup incubation, vocational training, local economic development or any other activity contributing to Cameroon's entrepreneurial ecosystem to express their interest in participating.
Organizations that register will receive advance information about the date of the GEN Cameroon delegation's visit to their division, official invitations to the local consultation meetings and opportunities to explore future collaboration with both GEN Cameroon and the wider Global Entrepreneurship Network.
Every territory has talent.
Every organization has valuable expertise.
Every partnership has the potential to strengthen Cameroon's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Join the Movement
If your organization would like to participate in the National Listening and Partnership Tour, we invite you to complete the Expression of Interest Form today.
By registering, your organization will receive updates about the tour schedule in your division, invitations to the consultation meetings and opportunities to contribute to building a stronger, more connected and globally engaged entrepreneurial ecosystem for Cameroon.
Complete the Expression of Interest Form here:
https://forms.gle/NfHFvHt8RFUHABFX7
We encourage all interested organizations to register as early as possible to receive priority information about the tour's visit to their division and become part of this nationwide movement led by GEN Cameroon.
Together, let's build the future of entrepreneurship in Cameroon.