The Global Entrepreneurship Network is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Gilles Lewat, the Managing Director of GEN’s affiliate in Cameroon. In this time of great loss, the GEN family extends our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all who loved and admired him. He touched us all with his warm smile, his infectious sense of fun, and his kind, gentle soul.
“We all loved Gilles like a brother,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “He was a pioneer and leading light of Cameroon’s entrepreneurship ecosystem who helped open our eyes to the needs of French-speaking Africa. His was persistent and committed to the end. We will greatly miss him.”
His impact is far-reaching, and his legacy will long endure. In the words of Alphonse Nafack, chair of GEN Cameroon: “Gilles inspired thousands of young people to believe in their dreams and dare to innovate new business solutions.”
Gilles Lewat was a certified electrical power technician who became an entrepreneur and then an expert in entrepreneurship. In 2005, he founded Youth Business Cameroon (YBC) to provide training, mentorship and resources to young entrepreneurs. Gilles was certified by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNDP as a mentor and trainer. In 2009, YBC led Cameroon’s inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign. Gilles’ success inspiring Cameroon’s ecosystem leaders to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week led them to launch GEN Cameroon in 2018 to carry out year-round collaborative initiatives. The board appointed Gilles as its managing director.
Under Gilles’ leadership, GEN Cameroon has fostered the development of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem connected to global counterparts through the broader GEN network, which operates in about 200 countries. The wide variety of activities Gilles initiated in collaboration with Cameroon’s ecosystem leaders included support for entrepreneurs through peer-to-peer mentoring (Startup Huddle) and opening access to new markets through visitor programs. For example, Gilles recently co-organized a program for Cameroon entrepreneurs to visit Detroit, Lansing and other cities in partnership with the State of Michigan. GEN Cameroon training sessions, networking events and trade fairs, have helped countless entrepreneurs grow their businesses and its digital platform is an indispensable hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders.
“Gilles was a beacon of vision and generosity. He impacted so many lives with the opportunities he created, the bridges he built and the inspiration he instilled in an entire generation of African entrepreneurs,” said Roberto Urbieta, the managing director of GEN Paraguay. “His passion for entrepreneurship and tireless spirit were evident in all the conversations we had over the past 15 years.”
“A dear friend and a true force for entrepreneurship, we collaborated on organizing visits by entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders from Cameroon to Indonesia and vice versa,” said Ivan Sandjaja, managing director of GEN Indonesia. “Gilles had a rare gift of lifting people up and encouraging them with his wisdom.”
Gilles’ work, dedication, and passion for entrepreneurs will remain forever etched in the memories of those who had the privilege of knowing him, working with him, or who were influenced by his commitment.
Pictured:
- Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, shakes hands with Gilles Lewat, managing director of GEN Cameroon at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indiana, USA.
- Fatiha Rachedi of GEN Algeria celebrates an MoU signing with Gilles Lewat at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
- Gilles Lewat joins John Matlosa of GEN Lesotho at the 2025 Compass Awards in Indiana, USA.