On 18 November 2025, Cameroon marked the energetic launch of the 7th edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), an initiative aimed at fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem across the country.
The event, themed “Productive Entrepreneurship and Opportunities within the Subcontracting Law,” brought together government officials, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders to celebrate and promote entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of national development.
The launch ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA), Achille Bassilekin III, and featured the presence of several members of the government, including the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Catherine Abena Ondoua. The event signaled the beginning of a week-long celebration dedicated to creativity, innovation, and the future of entrepreneurship in Cameroon.
During the ceremony, the Minister emphasized that GEW is not just a series of events but a platform for collective reflection and strategic dialogue, bringing together institutional actors, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and supporting organizations. The goal is to build a strong, open, and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem, capable of fostering initiative and innovation throughout the country, leaving no one behind. By doing so, Cameroon seeks to position entrepreneurship as a critical driver of economic growth and job creation.
Across Cameroon’s 10 regions, GEW 2025 is rolling out a diverse and impactful agenda. Practical workshops on the opportunities provided by the Subcontracting Law aim to equip entrepreneurs with actionable insights and knowledge for business growth. Educational initiatives, such as entrepreneurial clubs in high schools and universities, are designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit among young people, ensuring that the next generation is prepared to innovate and lead.
In addition, thematic conferences are being held to inform and equip economic actors with tools for sustainable growth, while national fairs and exhibitions showcase innovations and products developed by Cameroonian entrepreneurs, highlighting the country’s growing entrepreneurial talent. One of the week’s highlights is the Women Entrepreneurs’ Day (19–20 November, Djeuga Palace), a celebration of women’s leadership and their transformative role in Cameroon’s economy. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to gender-inclusive entrepreneurship and recognizes the critical contribution of women in driving economic development.
The week will culminate in a closing event in Yaoundé on 21 November at Hôtel Franco, which will serve as a platform to evaluate the initiatives undertaken, celebrate achievements, and identify new levers for accelerating entrepreneurship in the country. This final gathering will allow stakeholders to exchange insights, strengthen networks, and explore innovative solutions to the challenges facing entrepreneurs today.
GEW 2025 in Cameroon is more than a series of events—it is a strategic movement to foster creativity, innovation, and productive entrepreneurship, aligning with the government’s vision of an inclusive economy. By bringing together diverse actors from across the entrepreneurial landscape, the initiative seeks to unlock opportunities, inspire ambition, and empower all Cameroonians to take part in shaping a prosperous future.
Cameroon’s commitment to productive and inclusive entrepreneurship is now on full display, signaling a new chapter in the nation’s development story—one in which innovation, collaboration, and ambition drive sustainable growth for all.