Yaounde: 7th Entrepreneurship Week spotlights SME opportunities.

The week-long event, which runs until November 21, aims to encourage productive entrepreneurship and guide companies in taking full advantage of government measures designed to expand the SME sector. 

The Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III, opened the event, emphasising the opportunities provided by the law on subcontracting, which requires large companies to allocate at least 40% of contract value to local businesses. 

The law also shortens payment deadlines to 60 working days and mandates a 30% advance before work begins, measures intended to enhance legal security for SMEs, stimulate employment, and promote skills transfer.

“The focus on the subcontracting law is crucial because, for a long time, SMEs did not have sufficient legal protection when working with large companies,” Minister Bassilekin said.

He added that: “Some businesses closed after carrying out subcontracting work, which was not the intended outcome. We are committed to highlighting the opportunities offered by the new law, supporting the growth of subcontracting activity in Cameroon, and creating spaces for dialogue so that all stakeholders can explore ways to implement this government measure effectively.”

The week features a mix of workshops, exhibitions and awareness activities across Cameroon’s ten regions. A national programme includes practical sessions on the subcontracting law, the launch of 70 entrepreneurship clubs in secondary schools and colleges, and visits to SMEs to familiarise them with the law’s benefits. 

Participating entrepreneurs and exhibitors at the event have highlighted the practical benefits of the week. 

One of the exhibitors, Clementine Ngo Soh Ekoue, said the event offered a rare chance to access government support and expand her business. 

On his part, a cosmetics artisan, Paul Gentil Noussi, described the initiative as an opportunity to train young people and encourage them to start SMEs, creating employment and independence. 

Traditional fashion designer, Carole Oye, added that the event enabled her to promote cultural heritage while expanding commercial opportunities.

The event’s closing ceremony is scheduled for November 21, in Yaounde. It will evaluate the week’s activities and explore new strategies to further strengthen productive entrepreneurship across the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3632 of Friday November 21, 2025