8TH EDITION OF GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK IN CAMEROON: ENTREPRENEURS, ARTISANS AND SOCIAL ECONOMY STAKEHOLDERS, LET'S CELEBRATE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

From 16 to 22 November 2026, Cameroon will come alive with the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) invites all entrepreneurs, business owners, artisans, social economy organisations, young aspiring entrepreneurs and partners of the business ecosystem to actively participate in the 8th edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Cameroon (SMEC 2026).

For one whole week, let us celebrate the exciting and inspiring journey of entrepreneurship! A journey driven by bold ideas, creativity, innovation, resilience and determination, transforming ideas into opportunities, initiatives into businesses, and ambitions into wealth and jobs.

A NATIONAL CELEBRATION ACROSS ALL 10 REGIONS AND 58 DIVISIONS!

This year’s celebration will go beyond Yaoundé. Activities will take place throughout the national territory, across all 10 Regions and 58 Divisions, through conferences, exhibitions, business meetings, company visits, networking sessions, awareness campaigns and experience-sharing activities.

In this regard, all entrepreneurs, artisans and social economy organisations are strongly encouraged to contact the Ministry’s Regional and Divisional Delegations to obtain information about the programmes scheduled in their respective localities and take full advantage of the opportunities offered during this national celebration.

A THEME THAT PUTS WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This year’s edition is held under the theme:

“Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Transforming the Potential of Women and Young People to Build a Strong and Resilient Economy.”

The theme highlights the importance of women’s and young people’s economic empowerment as a key driver of entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development.

It also reflects the Government’s commitment, through the National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (NDS30), to strengthening the private sector and promoting entrepreneurship as a major driver of Cameroon’s economic transformation.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A GROWING DRIVER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH!

According to MINPMEESA’s 2025 Statistical Yearbook, 16,845 SMEs were created through Business Formalities Centres in 2025, bringing the national stock of SMEs to 472,208, representing a 6.5% increase compared to 2024.

These figures highlight the growing dynamism of Cameroon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the importance of continuing to support business creation, innovation and enterprise development.

A WEEK FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES!

The programme will feature:

Conferences and panel discussions on inclusive entrepreneurship;
Trade fairs and exhibitions across the Regions and Divisions;
B2B and B2G meetings to promote business partnerships;
Networking opportunities and business experience-sharing sessions;
Company visits to showcase local entrepreneurial success stories;
Awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and universities;
Support for young people in starting their own businesses;
Creation and strengthening of entrepreneurship clubs.

KEY DATES

* 16 November 2026: Official opening ceremony.

* 16–22 November 2026: Activities nationwide.

* 20 November 2026: Official closing ceremony.

Yaoundé, Hôtel Franco, for the official ceremonies.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS DARING. ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS INNOVATING. ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS CREATING WEALTH AND JOBS. ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS CONTRIBUTING TO BUILDING CAMEROON!

Whether you are an established entrepreneur, an artisan, an SME promoter, a social economy stakeholder or a young person with an innovative business idea, this celebration is yours!

From North to South, East to West, across all 10 Regions and 58 Divisions, let us make SMEC 2026 a nationwide celebration of initiative, innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit!

MINPMEESA is counting on your participation!