Attijariwafa Bank and SCB Cameroon have reinforced their commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa through the 40th multisectoral mission of the Club Afrique Développement (CAD). Held on February 20 and 21 in Douala, this edition focused on the theme “Made in Africa & AfCFTA: A Highway of Opportunities for Entrepreneurs.” It also marked the third installment of Stand Up For African Women Entrepreneurs (SUFAWE), a program dedicated to empowering women-led businesses across the continent.
The event brought together over 250 business leaders from Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon, along with a delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. Leading this delegation was Cynthia Gnassingbé-Essonam, senior advisor for private sector engagement at the AfCFTA Secretariat.
A highlight of the mission was a masterclass featuring prominent speakers, including Cynthia Gnassingbé-Essonam, Nelly Chatue Diop, CEO of Ejara, and Naomi Mbakam, CEO of Leelou Baby Food. Naomi Mbakam was honored with an award recognizing her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, more than 200 B2B meetings were organized in key sectors such as agribusiness, energy, and telecommunications. Participants also received training on leveraging opportunities within the AfCFTA framework.
Alexandre Beziaud, Managing Director of SCB Cameroon, emphasized Attijariwafa Bank’s commitment to intensifying its support for women entrepreneurs. Mouna Kadiri, Director of the Club Afrique Développement, highlighted the importance of strengthening intra-African business opportunities, noting that the SUFAWE program has already benefited over 800 women entrepreneurs in Cameroon, Congo, and Togo.
Cynthia Gnassingbé-Essonam underscored the impact of the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, which seeks to remove barriers limiting their participation in cross-border commerce. The protocol focuses on integrating micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises into African value chains by improving access to markets and information.
Paul Tasong, Minister Delegate to Cameroon’s Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, hailed the event as a crucial step toward deeper economic integration in Africa. The discussions placed strong emphasis on capacity building and the inclusion of SMEs in the continent’s economic transformation.
