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Fifty Women Entrepreneurs in Douala Receive CFA 53 Million in Business Funding

Prime Highlights-

  • Fifty women entrepreneurs in Douala received CFA 53 million in micro-financing to expand their businesses and support job creation.
  • The programme aims to strengthen women-led enterprises and improve access to credit for small businesses in Cameroon.

Key Facts-

  • Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Traders of Cameroon (Asfeccam) led the Asbbic project in partnership with Cepac Solidarité Cameroun to provide micro-financing support.
  • The initiative is backed by government ministries and is expected to support around 150 jobs linked to women-owned businesses.

Background-

Fifty women entrepreneurs and traders in Douala have received a total of CFA 53 million in micro-financing aimed at strengthening women-led businesses and supporting local job creation.

The funding was provided under the third phase of the Asbbic project, led by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Traders of Cameroon (Asfeccam), in partnership with the microfinance institution Cepac Solidarité Cameroun. Individual beneficiaries received between CFA 350,000 and CFA 1 million to support and expand their business activities.

The loans come with a 12-month deferred repayment period and are offered at a modest interest rate, according to organisers. The initiative is designed to help women grow income-generating activities while also sustaining employment in their communities.

The programme operates under the joint support of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, the Ministry of Trade, and the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts. Organisers said the latest round of financing is expected to strengthen around 150 direct and indirect jobs linked to the beneficiaries’ businesses.

Officials said the initiative is part of wider efforts to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Cameroon, where women play a significant role in business but continue to face funding challenges.

Data shared by development institutions shows women operate around 38% of businesses in the country, yet access to credit remains one of the biggest barriers to expansion. The programme aims to close this gap by supporting active entrepreneurs with structured financing and business requirements.

During the event, organisers highlighted the experience of past beneficiaries as proof of business growth supported through the scheme. One example included a trader from Douala whose business expanded after earlier funding under the programme.

The initiative is expected to continue supporting women entrepreneurs through improved access to finance and long-term business development opportunities.