Young Cameroonian innovators and student entrepreneurs from the West and North-West regions gathered in Bafoussam on Friday, October 23, 2026, for the official closing ceremony of the Youth Connekt Cameroon zonal challenges. Chaired by the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, at the conference room of the Western Region’s Governor’s Office, the event showcased growth-oriented solutions spanning technological innovation, agri-food processing, digital entrepreneurship, and green technology. The initiative aimed to enhance young people’s business skills, increase their access to economic opportunities, and help translate creative concepts into sustainable commercial enterprises aligned with the nation’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30).
The closing ceremony marked the culmination of an intensive five-day Bootcamp that brought together 36 selected participants—24 from the West and 12 from the North-West, including 19 women—alongside 16 contestants in the Student-Entrepreneur Challenge. Led by industry experts such as Thierry Vaho, the training focused on key sectors like agriculture, livestock farming, crafts, and the digital economy. Participants underwent practical instruction, business plan refinement, and pitch preparation to help structure their projects for investor funding. Program leadership, represented by Youth Connekt Cameroon Deputy Director Mathurin Essama Essama, emphasized that candidate evaluations were based on project relevance, SND30 alignment, commercial feasibility, and personal discipline.
Students from the University of Bamenda delivered a standout performance in the Student-Entrepreneur Challenge, securing the top six positions. Tatah Oneil claimed first place, followed closely by Ambe Clovis, who developed a multi-parameter medical diagnostic device. Mbom Sharon took third place for her local natural fruit juice enterprise, while Tendongsum Shu Jianice earned fourth for a native cosmetic product line. Fifth place went to Ache William for an agricultural soil moisture detector, and Mbuh Jude Amah ranked sixth with a remotely controlled hydroponic greenhouse system. Meanwhile, Tchinda Péno Jean Loïc from the University of Dschang finished seventh with an AI-assisted digital communication initiative.
In the Bootcamp competition categories, specialized awards were presented to high-potential ventures across four main sectors. Mbuh Hope won the technological innovation category with an electronic waste recycling platform, while Nfor Brendi topped the industry and crafts segment. In the digital economy track, Masso Signe took first place for a digital contact-exchange solution. The agribusiness category was awarded to Takou Boulik Aude, followed by Yong Alfred, who transforms palm oil into soap, and Kapocko Angenor in third. The top performers from these zonal trials earned direct qualification to represent their regions at the national level.
A major milestone during the Bafoussam event was the formal installation of regional chambers for Youth Connekt icons and ambassadors. Designed to mobilize established community leaders around youth mentorship and capital access, the new regional ambassadors include Bafoussam City Mayor Roger Tafam, Bangangté Mayor Eric Nyat, prominent young entrepreneur Tatah Bakary, Horlus Fosso, and Djappa André Ariel. Minister Mounouna Foutsou noted that the Western and North-West regions are positioned to lead the local implementation of Youth Connekt, urging the newly appointed ambassadors to actively mentor the next generation of business leaders.
The Bafoussam gathering concluded the nationwide zonal tour following earlier stops in the Northern, Centre-South-East, and Littoral-South-West zones. Attention now shifts to Yaoundé, where 200 of the nation’s top regional candidates will assemble for a national Bootcamp during the Youth Connekt Cameroon Convention from November 9 to 13, 2026. Addressing the finalists, Minister Foutsou called on young innovators to embrace the values of Moral, Civic, and Entrepreneurial Rearmament (PRONEC-REAMORCE), emphasizing that Cameroonian youth must serve as active agents of job creation and economic growth.
