Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou taken part in the 3rd edition International Exhibition for the promotion of Youth entrepreneurship, reminding them of their roles in achieving the objectives recently articulated in the National Development Strategy for 2030(SND30).
The event which was also coupled with the commemoration of Youth Connekt Initiative 4th anniversary in Cameroon. Present at the event was the representative of the Prime Minister Head of Government, his Counterparts, the Promotion of Women and the Family-Pr. Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister-Gabriel Mbaïrobé.
Youth Connekt Cameroon Program, aligned with the global vision of the “Youth Connekt Africa” initiative, brings together the Government, development partners and the private sector, around the galloping problem of unemployment and low youth participation.
Two years after its launch in Cameroon, the Joint Government-UN Program, Youth Connekt Cameroon, really took off in 2021, following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Notwithstanding this hazard and drawing inspiration from Youth Connekt Africa, the summit of which is held annually, the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education, in collaboration with the Agencies of the United Nations System, the private sector and the leaders of youth organizations youth of the CNJC, organizes each year the Youth Connekt Convention, to commemorate the anniversary of this initiative in our country. This edition coincides with the end of the pilot phase of the Program
The representative of the City Mayor mentioned that youths constitute the large section of the population of the capital city. ''Our leitmotif is to place particular emphasis on all initiatives that want to improve the condition of young people,'' .
SIPROME-JEUNES places emphasis on the promotion of entrepreneurship young people. Young people who, according to him, must rely on this show to make themselves known and their products known.
Representative of the United Nations Development Program indicated that as part of the implementation of Youth Connekt, the UNDP acts with the organizations of the Nations to strengthen the mechanisms of socio-professional and economic integration for young people, but also to lead to inter and intragenerational connection while by leaning into the 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development Goals.
Placed under the high patronage of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, the International Exhibition for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship – Youth (SIPROME Jeunes) is a space for presentation and popularization of the actions and products/services of young Cameroonian entrepreneurs but also a space for young entrepreneurs to connect with each other on the one hand and with models of success on the other.
Different categories at the innovation show,; General Culture on entrepreneurship, promotion of professions, cultural industry and sports industry.
The Minister of Youth and Civic Education instructed the establishment of corporate school incubators in these establishments to continue to detect talents.
SIPROME - Youth was born in response to the inquiry of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Head of State, H.E PAUL BIYA towards youth and the orientations of SND30 and contributes to the implementation of the national plan of industrialization and multi-sectoral economic development of the country.
This initiative supported by the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education and organized by the company CULFORE EXPERT, mandated by MINJEC, offers an appropriate framework for highlighting and developing young businesses through tailor-made activities that aim to contribute to the development of young entrepreneurs from the 10 regions and the diaspora.
These are young people who have particularly stood out for their spirit of initiative and wise use of funding received from government projects and programs. Here their installation
A current theme: the competitiveness of Young businesses
The theme chosen as the ideological pillar of the SIPROME Jeunes 3rd edition is "Resilience and competitiveness of young businesses in the era of economic globalization: Challenges and opportunities of the African continental free trade area" and constitutes the declamation of the will of Cameroonian youth to take their share of responsibility in the project of emergence of Cameroon and the economic influence of our flag on the international scene.
The program has enabled: the strengthening of the employability of nearly 5,000 young people, support for the creation and development of 448 youth companies, several of which are currently present at SIPROME-Jeunes. It has recorded 500 peace ambassadors, the involvement of 800 young people in voluntary and community action initiatives as well as raising awareness among 16,400 young people on family and reproductive health.
"In view of these very appreciable results already obtained and the expectations of young people, the extension phase envisaged from 2024 will place particular emphasis on all the entrepreneurial opportunities offered by technological innovation; the promotion of peace, social cohesion and harmonious living together, as well as the mobilization of the channels of connection to the most effective opportunities, including those in favor of the most vulnerable young people".
SIPROME-JEUNES, a tool for building entrepreneurial values among young people
This is one of the strong words of this message which thus emphasizes the objectives of holding this Show which, now in its 3rd edition, makes it possible to strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of young people but also to present to public opinion my youth achievements.
"The organization of this exhibition is not only part of the desire of the public authorities to respond more effectively to the problem of the socio-economic integration of young people, but also to contribute to the structural transformation of our economy set in motion by the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30)".
Visit to the Exhibition Stands
The visit to the exhibition stands followed, led by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education accompanied by members of Government.
Number of exhibitors expected: 1000
Number of visitors expected: 60,000
Prize pool for contests and challenges: 60,000,000 FCFA.
It is also worth nothing that this edition of SIPROME Jeunes will be held from 06 to 16 December 2023 at the Multi-purpose sports Complex in Yaoundé.
Implementing partners for this initiative include: UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, PUENE Foundation.