On October 3, 2025, a monitoring and evaluation mission was carried out in the capital of the Menoua Division, as part of the program funded by the French embassy in Cameroon, Startup 237.
Three young local entrepreneurs presented the concrete progress of their projects, which benefit from strategic and material support. The mission, conducted by a delegation from the Francophone University Agency (AUF ) , the Center for Technology, Innovation and Incubation Support (CATII), and entrepreneurial mentors, was led by Professor Alain Kiyindou, Regional Director of AUF for Central Africa and the Great Lakes. The objective: to assess the progress made, measure the impact of the support received, and identifies future prospects.
Among the projects visited, DNA Maraîcher, initiated by Alex Djoumessi Ngouffo, an agricultural engineer, attracted attention. Thanks to the equipment obtained, including a vehicle, a motorcycle, and processing machines, the project has strengthened its production capacity across several sites. In Kentsop, a 2,500 m² plantation produces about 6 crates of chili peppers every 10 days. In Tchoule, another plot recently generated 1,100 crates of tomatoes. A third site, not visited, completes the operation.
Another notable initiative, Djimi Quick, led by Brice Leonel Nono Wandji, transforms local products like sweet potatoes or corn into various food items. Thanks to new equipment (oven, chopper, flour machines), production has significantly increased, particularly for sweet potato biscuits, which have gone from 10 to 60 packets per production cycle. The founder, mentored by entrepreneur Kamgang Loveline, aims for regional expansion.
Finally, the mission concluded with a visit to the Semences d’Avenir (Seeds of the Future) nursery, founded by Magellan Gabin Nanfack Tsafouet. Created in 2017, the project has become more professional with the acquisition of eight motorcycles, facilitating the distribution of quality seedlings to a growing customer base. The goal is to sustainably improve agricultural yields in the region. Launched in 2023, the Startup237 initiative is part of a drive for economic transformation through local innovation.
In Dschang, the results are tangible: the supported young entrepreneurs are creating value, stimulating agriculture, and strengthening food self-sufficiency. The monitoring carried out by AUF and its partners underscores the effectiveness of the model: combining training, targeted funding, and mentoring to bring out talent. The project leaders are now looking to the future with broader ambitions: industrialization, job creation, and conquering new markets.
Post-incubation support, emphasized during the mission, appears essential to consolidate these gains and ensure sustainable growth.
