Empowering youths and women entrepreneurs Across Africa To Build Sustainable Futures
The Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association (YWEA) empowers young people and women across Cameroon to launch, grow, and scale successful businesses.
Who We Are
Know about YWEA, what we do and our accomplishment
The Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association (YWEA) is a registered non-governmental organization in Cameroon dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for youths and women.
Through practical entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and direct access to capital, we help members turn ideas into profitable, sustainable businesses. Our focus is on sectors that matter most to Cameroon: agriculture, technology, fashion, and green energy.
The Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association equips participants with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to launch and scale sustainable businesses. We believe entrepreneurship is the most powerful tool for poverty reduction and gender equality in Cameroon.
Our Impact
In the first two years of operations, YWEA has:
Trained over 500 young women and youth in Cameroon on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business management.
Facilitated access to seed funding for 120 emerging businesses, helping entrepreneurs launch sustainable ventures.
Provided 1,200 hours of mentorship and coaching, connecting participants with experienced leaders and business experts.
Hosted 30 networking and advocacy events, amplifying youth and women voices in local economic development initiatives.
These interventions have directly benefited participants and their communities, fostering economic growth, job creation, and leadership development, while setting the stage for expansion across Africa.
Our Mission
To equip underprivileged youth and women entrepreneurs in Africa with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to create thriving businesses, lead change, and generate lasting impact in their communities.
Our Vision
By 2030, an Africa where 1 million underprivileged young women and youth entrepreneurs have the skills, resources, and confidence to start thriving businesses, influence positive change in their communities, and take their place as leaders and innovators across the continent and beyond.
A Message From The CEO
An empowering message from the CEO
At YWEA, our mission is to equip these young changemakers with practical skills, access to funding, mentorship, and platforms for leadership, innovation, and advocacy. Over the past two years, our programs in Cameroon have already impacted hundreds of young women, providing them with vocational skills in tailoring, hairdressing, bookkeeping, digital literacy, and business management. Many of our participants are now running small businesses, generating income, and contributing to their families and communities.
As CEO, I provide strategic direction, operational oversight, and ensure that all our programs uphold strong governance, accountability, and sustainability. I work closely with our partners in government, the private sector, and development organizations to position YWEA as a trusted platform for women’s economic empowerment across Africa.
I am deeply passionate about mentorship, youth development, and creating opportunities for underprivileged entrepreneurs. I believe that when women and youth are given the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities, they become powerful catalysts for positive transformation in their communities. With your support, we can expand our reach, scale our impact, and help more young women and youth across Africa to build sustainable futures. Together, we can nurture a generation of entrepreneurs who are not only financially independent but also socially conscious leaders, driving change in their communities and beyond.
— Mirabelle Iwoh Nji
Interim CEO, YWEA Cameroon
Membership Benefits
Benefits of Becoming a member
Skill Development – “Skill Craft”
We provide hands-on training in marketable trades and entrepreneurial skills to help participants start or grow their businesses:
Tailoring & Fashion Design – From sewing to managing a small clothing business.
Hairdressing & Beauty Services – Professional training in salons, personal care, and business operations.
Culinary Arts & Catering – Cooking, menu planning, hygiene, and running food businesses.
Business Bookkeeping & Management – Practical skills to manage finances, record transactions, and plan for growth.
Digital Skills & ICT – Online tools, social media marketing, and digital business management.
Financial Access & Support – “Fund Path”
We remove barriers to funding by connecting entrepreneurs with financial resources to launch or expand their businesses:
Savings & Microloans – Building financial literacy, managing savings, and accessing small loans.
Grant & Funding Access – Guidance on applying for grants, investment readiness, and leveraging financial support.
Financial Planning & Business Growth – Training on budgeting, revenue tracking, and scaling sustainable enterprises.
Through this dual focus on upskilling and financial empowerment, YWEA ensures that every participant not only gains the skills to succeed but also the financial tools to turn ideas into thriving businesses and lasting community impact.
Stay updated on upcoming workshops, conferences, and community activities.
Mentorship & Leadership – “Lead Forward”
We pair participants with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide guidance, advice, and leadership coaching:
One-on-One Mentorship – Tailored advice for business growth and overcoming challenges.
Leadership Development – Workshops to enhance decision-making, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
Networking Opportunities – Connecting with industry leaders, investors, and peer entrepreneurs.
Market Access & Growth – “Biz Connect”
We help participants expand their businesses through access to local and regional markets, partnerships, and visibility:
Trade Fairs & Exhibitions – Opportunities to showcase products and services.
Digital Marketing Support – Training to sell online, reach broader audiences, and leverage e-commerce.
Partnership Facilitation – Linking participants with suppliers, clients, and business collaborators.
What YWEA Offers
Programs of the Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
8-week intensive training covering business planning, digital marketing, financial literacy and legal registration – specially tailored for youths and women in Cameroon. 100% practical workshops & Certificate from YWEA
Mentorship & Incubation
One-on-one mentorship from successful Cameroonian business leaders plus 6-month incubation support including co-working space and seed funding connections. Monthly master classes & investor pitch days
Women & Youth Fund
Micro-grants and low-interest loans up to 5 million XAF for members of the Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association who complete our training programs. Zero collateral options & Business coaching included
Real Results from YWEA
Real Impact Across Cameroon
YWEA Board Members
Donate or Sponsor
Every contribution creates jobs, Every CFA franc creates opportunity
Win with YWEA
Whether you are a youth or woman ready to launch your business, a mentor, donor, or partner — there is a place for you.
Become Part of YWEA
Whether you are a youth ready to launch your first business, a woman looking to scale, or an organization wanting to partner – there is a place for you.
Join as Member
Free registration • Access all programs
Become a Volunteer / Mentor
Share your expertise with the next generation
Donate or Sponsor
Every contribution creates jobs
Voices from Our Community
Voices from the Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association Community
Provision Store
The seed grant from the Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association helped me scale my provision store business. Women like me now have real opportunities.
Grace
Women Clothing and Shoes Business
The mentorship program connected me with investors. Within 4 months my fashion brand store was featured at the Yaoundé International Trade Fair.
Fatou B
Skin care Business
As a young mother, I never thought I could run a business. YWEA changed my life. My poultry farm now supplies 3 major markets in Yaoundé.
Esther
Hairdressing and Beauty Services
Joining YWEA changed everything. Through SkillCraft and BizConnect, I gained both technical skills and business coaching. With access to savings schemes and small grants, I purchased equipment, opened my own salon, and hired two assistants. My confidence and knowledge as a young entrepreneur have grown tremendously.
Miriam
Tailoring Entrepreneur
Before joining YWEA’s SkillCraft program, I struggled to make ends meet with my small tailoring shop. Through the vocational training, mentorship, and access to microloans via FundPath, I expanded my business, now employing five young women in my community. My monthly revenue has doubled in just 12 months, and I can finally save for my family’s future.
Amina
Request a Free Consultation
Talk to the Youths and Women Entrepreneurship Association Team