Mobile “Bus-Ecole” Initiative Launched to Boost Entrepreneurship in Cameroon

On May 14, 2024, in a landmark event held at the esplanade of Yaoundé City Hall, Achille BASSILEKIN III, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, unveiled the “Bus-Ecole”, a mobile school designed to promote a culture of entrepreneurship throughout Cameroon.

This innovative project is a result of the collaborative efforts between Cameroon and Italy, with significant technical support from the Italian company TEKNE.

The Bus-Ecole, described as a “technological jewel,” is equipped with modern amenities to serve as a mobile training center and a fabrication laboratory (fablab). It aims to democratize access to entrepreneurship, providing inclusive, close-to-home support for aspiring business owners.

This initiative targets individuals from all social backgrounds and geographic areas, particularly those in rural and underserved urban communities.

Minister BASSILEKIN III emphasized the importance of this project in fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. “This device will finally enable the materialization of the culture of enterprise,” he stated. “It will promote close support, making the entrepreneurship promotion and business creation program a tangible reality.”

The bus will travel to isolated areas, offering training sessions, coworking spaces, prototyping centers, and live demonstrations to engage and assist potential entrepreneurs.

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The ceremony saw the handover of the Bus-Ecole keys to Jean Marie Louis BADGA, Director General of the Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (APME), in the presence of notable figures such as the Italian Ambassador to Cameroon and the Secretary-General of the Italy-Cameroon Chamber of Commerce. The project highlights the strength of Italy-Cameroon cooperation and the critical role of TEKNE in its realization.

One of the primary goals of the Bus-Ecole is to improve professional opportunities for marginalized groups by embedding them in an innovative entrepreneurial framework. This approach aims to boost self-employment and business creation, contributing significantly to Cameroon’s economic development.

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This initiative is a testament to the Cameroonian government’s commitment to supporting growth and innovation across the nation. By bringing entrepreneurial resources directly to the people, the Bus-Ecole is set to play a pivotal role in the country’s economic landscape, encouraging a new wave of business creation and self-sufficiency.

Through sustained efforts in education and outreach, Cameroon is laying the foundation for long-term fiscal sustainability and economic growth. The Bus-Ecole stands as a beacon of progress, empowering citizens with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.