Full Breakdown
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Cameroon and Togo
11/28/2025, 2:57:18 PM
Launch of Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton in Cameroon
On November 24, 2025, Access Bank Cameroon, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), launched the Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton, marking a significant initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Cameroon. This program is designed to provide training, mentorship, and seed funding to 150 women, with the goal of enhancing financial inclusion and fostering business growth. The initiative will deliver six IFC-certified Mini-MBA modules focused on financial management, equipping participants with essential skills to improve their access to capital.
The program offers competitive seed funding grants of 3 million, 2 million, and 1 million FCFA, directly supporting women-led enterprises. The launch also introduced the W Initiative, which includes tailored banking products and capacity-building opportunities for women. Ellis Nzo Asu, Managing Director of Access Bank Cameroon, and Charlotte Ndaw Sako, IFC Country Manager, emphasized the program's objective to strengthen business profitability and enhance credit management practices for women entrepreneurs.
Context and Economic Impact
Women-owned enterprises constitute nearly 30% of businesses in Cameroon, yet they face significant barriers in accessing finance and business support. The Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton aims to stimulate local entrepreneurship, increase revenue generation, and contribute to economic diversification through structured training and targeted financial support. This initiative aligns with national priorities to expand financial inclusion and bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial for employment creation and economic growth.
Togo's Women And Finance Program
In a parallel effort, Togo has launched the fourth cohort of the "Women And Finance" program, which aims to support 125 women entrepreneurs through capacity building and credit access preparation. This initiative, run by the SEPHIS Foundation in partnership with AGF and Ecobank Togo, combines technical training, financial structuring, and networking with banking institutions. The program addresses the challenges faced by female-led SMEs in accessing funding, a critical constraint in the region.
Sefora Kodjo, President of the Board of the SEPHIS Foundation, highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards in business activities, stating, "Your credibility relies on the consistent quality of your product or service." Ecobank Togo aims to enhance credit access for women-led SMEs, while the African Guarantee Fund provides guarantee solutions to mitigate financing risks.
Broader Implications
Both initiatives in Cameroon and Togo represent significant steps toward empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing their participation in the private sector, and contributing to national economic resilience. By providing essential training and financial support, these programs are expected to improve the quality of business projects and facilitate financing, thereby addressing the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
Official Statements & Responses
Access Bank Cameroon stated that empowering women entrepreneurs not only strengthens household incomes but also supports national economic resilience. The Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton is anticipated to have a lasting impact on Cameroon’s economic development by enhancing women's roles in the private sector.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Your credibility relies on the consistent quality of your product or service,” — Sefora Kodjo, President of the Board of the SEPHIS Foundation
- “We want to support structures that actively contribute to the national economy,” — Laurinda Amevor, Head of the Ellever Program, Ecobank Togo
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and fostering inclusive development across the region.
