Cameroon/Start-Up 237: Evaluation mission and project prospects

From September 22 to October 3, 2025, the French Embassy in Cameroon and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie conducted an evaluation mission in Douala, Ngaoundéré and Dschang to analyze the impact of the Start-Up 237 project, which has supported 100 young businesses since its launch.

The tour provided an opportunity to assess the use of material and financial support, as well as the progress made in structuring and professionalizing beneficiary start-ups.

In Douala, Ngaoundéré and Dschang, the mission delegation observed a positive entrepreneurial dynamic, marked by an increase in the skills of project leaders, sector diversification and, in several cases, a move towards semi-industrial production levels. The results observed testify to the impact of capacity building, mentoring and local supportThese are the core elements of the "FEF - Start-Up 237 : 100 projects made in Camer".

However, the mission highlighted persistent challenges, including access to inputs, formal markets, the availability of certain equipment locally, and the limits of initial funding to support more ambitious scaling-up. As the program draws to a close, the project partners are looking at ways of improving the program, focusing on private enterprise initiatives, ongoing training and alignment with development policies, confirming the potential and commitment of Cameroon's entrepreneurial youth.

Source: www.auf.org/