The development challenges in Africa are such that the States rely on all their forces to meet them, especially the youth. Dynamism, creativity and rapid adaptability to digital transformation are all potential of young people for economic development. Are we not saying that youth is the spearhead of the nation? Although motivated by entrepreneurship, though incited to SELF-employment young people are faced with great challenges to get started such as lack of experience, reductive stereotypes, generational conflicts, lack of network and above all the difficulties in access to financing.

In order to reduce the difficulties of access and encourage young people to entrepreneurship, a range of tools have been created, namely entrepreneurship education, grants, micro-credits, incubators, start-ups, accelerators... This situation justifies the many initiatives carried out by the states in favor of the’entrepreneurship of young people with the objective of the creation of jobs and in fact the reduction of unemployment. The Ministry of Youth and Civic Education of Cameroon, which has always been committed to young people, launched SIPROME-Jeunes (International Exhibition for the Promotion of Young Entrepreneurs) in 2022 with an annual frequency in order to highlight the know-how of young entrepreneurs. The 2024 edition, under the theme "Youth entrepreneurship, Import-substitution for a structural transformation of the’economie", includes training workshops, innovation competitions, hackathons and networking opportunities.

Thus, the employers organizations initially intended for large companies are increasingly investing in the entrepreneurship of young people. In this dynamic, Mr. Stephane Tiki, Vice-President of the Groupement du Patronat Francophone did not hesitate to take his precious time to share his experience and exchange with the students of ESSACA. At the head of a group of employers from 88 countries Mr. Tiki does not cease  to open up to young people the opportunities offered by the networking and innovation platforms of French-speaking employers whose companies are, according to him, the most competitive. Among the keys to success presented in his address, resilience is an essential virtue perfectly illustrated by his personal example of Laureate Choiseul Africa 2024 for the 5th consecutive year. His natural generosity has led him to invite to his talk at ESSACA, a long-time friend who is the Lion Indomitable Stephane Mbia whose project of schools for autistic children in the ten regions of Cameroon is in its first realization in the center province.

We extend our congratulations and gratitude to Mr. Stephane Tiki and Mr. Stephane Mbia for their civic international commitment .

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