Incubation: gov’t partners parliamentary network to boost students’ business nurseries

The partnership focuses on fostering corporate nurseries within private institutes of higher education, IPES, to enhance business incubation in Cameroon.

The Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, MINPMEESA, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship through a partnership with the Network of Parliamentarians for the Promotion of Private Entrepreneurship, Promo-Entrepreneuriat, and the Network of Mayors for Social and Solidarity Economy, REMCESS.

This initiative focuses on fostering corporate nurseries within Private Institutes of Higher Education (IPES) to enhance business incubation in Cameroon. The discussions took place during a hearing granted by MINPMEESA Minister Achille Bassilekin III to Hon. Roger Melingui, President of Promo-Entrepreneuriat, along with representatives from REMCESS and promoters of IPES.

The meeting aimed at evaluating progress towards implementing, monitoring, and assessing 20 business nurseries across different municipalities and private higher education institutions, a process facilitated by MINPMEESA and the Ministry of Finance, MINFI. The initiative follows the successful organization of a workshop on recently, at the National Assembly, focusing on entrepreneurship awareness, implementation strategies, and evaluation mechanisms.

Speaking after the hearing, Minister Bassilekin III emphasized the importance of corporate culture in Cameroon’s economic development, stating: “We remember that today we are all engaged in promoting the reality of entrepreneurship with all the players mobilized here. We have received IPES promoters who, as part of their approach to fostering business creation, want to establish corporate nurseries.

This is a strategic initiative that will strengthen the entrepreneurial culture in our country and create new job opportunities.” He further highlighted the significance of collaboration among municipal authorities, higher education institutions, and stakeholders in ensuring the success of the program. The creation of business nurseries is expected to facilitate the emergence of resilient and competitive enterprises that contribute to national economic growth.

 Hon. Roger Melingui expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative, stressing the importance of IPES in fostering entrepreneurship, “We are completely happy at the level of the National Assembly, with deputies united in supporting private entrepreneurship. Our goal is to ensure that each IPES establishes a business nursery, enabling students to transition from education to enterprise creation.

This initiative aligns with our vision of encouraging small and very small business formation.” He also thanked Minister Bassilekin III for his support and commitment to ensuring national authorities recognize and collaborate on this initiative. The program represents a crucial step towards integrating entrepreneurial education into higher learning institutions, equipping students with practical skills to start and manage successful businesses.

As cameroon continues to push for economic resilience and job creation, the partnership between MINPMEESA, REMCESS, and IPES stands as a vital mechanism for fostering a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.