(Business in Cameroon) – Financial institutions BGFI Bank and YUNUS S.A have injected more than 494 million FCFA into 21 youth-led start-ups during the opening of the sixth edition of the Youth Connekt Cameroon Convention on 10 December 2025 in Yaounde. The funding was disbursed through the Youth Entrepreneurs Guarantee Fund at a ceremony presided over by the Minister of State and Minister of Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, who represented the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. The Convention is taking place under the theme “Artificial intelligence and the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Youth: Opportunities and Challenges.”
Among the 21 funded start-ups, 10 were selected in partnership with BGFI Bank, receiving a combined total of 294,284,063 FCFA. The remaining 11 start-ups, supported by YUNUS S.A, obtained a total envelope of 200,000,000 FCFA. The most creative project among the group received an award of 45,794,724 FCFA.
BGFI Bank is the Cameroon subsidiary of a major financial group operating across the CEMAC region. The bank has previously entered into partnerships with the Youth Entrepreneurs Guarantee Fund (FOGAJEUNE) to support young business owners and expand access to financing for entrepreneurial projects through mechanisms such as direct financing desks and guarantee desks. Under these schemes, young entrepreneurs can access amounts up to 25 million FCFA or receive guarantees on loans up to 100 million FCFA, depending on eligibility criteria and business maturity.
YUNUS S.A is a financial services company based in Yaounde that focuses on inclusion and innovative financial solutions. Its activities include mobile financial services, micro-credit, and micro-insurance, designed to extend financial access and support economic participation for underserved populations. YUNUS S.A’s engagement in the convention reflects its broader involvement in financial inclusion and support for small and medium-sized enterprises through access to tailored financial products.
The Youth Connekt Cameroon Convention 2025 is a national forum that brings together young entrepreneurs, institutions, private sector partners and development stakeholders. The event includes workshops, exhibitions, masterclasses, and discussions on digital skills, innovation and business creation. Official figures published by the organisers indicate that the 2025 edition expects over 80,000 visitors and around 600 exhibitors, with an overall budget of approximately 250 million FCFA.
At the opening ceremony, representatives highlighted the strategic role of financing and technological readiness in supporting the economic integration of youth. The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications delivered the inaugural lecture, emphasising the importance of technical appropriation of artificial intelligence across sectors including education, health and the economy.
Government officials and international partners reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing youth participation in economic transformation through structured finance mechanisms such as those exemplified by the Youth Enterprise Guarantee Fund disbursements. The convention runs from 8 to 13 December 2025, convening stakeholders around the theme of artificial intelligence and socio-economic inclusion, with the awards serving as concrete financial support for emerging youth-led businesses.
Mercy Fosoh
