►►The 8th edition of the National Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Days has come to an end. The closing ceremony presided over by the minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III, occurred on august 27th 2025 in Yaoundé. The event which started on august 25th lasted for three days on the theme “Implementing PIISAH through Cameroonian SMEs : stakes and challenges in modernising the production system”.
Afrique54.net » A national forum held in Yaoundé has brought renewed momentum to the modernization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cameroon. Organized under the “Programme Intégré d’Industrialisation des Systèmes Agricoles et Halieutiques” (PIISAH), the event gathered key stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening SME productivity and competitiveness.
The forum aimed to assess the current state of SME production systems, identify equipment and modernization needs, and propose actionable solutions to improve both the quantity and quality of output in priority sectors. Participants included government officials, technical and financial partners, business leaders, academics, and hundreds of SME promoters.
The opening ceremony featured a strategic presentation on the positioning of SMEs in Cameroon, followed by an inaugural lecture and remarks from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The event continued with thematic sessions focused on innovation, local transformation, financing, and the role of incubators in SME development.
Exhibition fair and recognition
Practical workshops led by APME, ILO, GIZ, and BANGE BANK provided guidance on business formalization and access to funding. An exhibition fair showcased products and services from over 100 SMEs, promoting networking and partnership opportunities.
Following this, some SMEs were granted participation certificates handed over by Achille Bassilekin III, minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, of Social Economy and Handicraft. For instance, the CEO of “Collectif des Promoteurs du Made in Cameroon” (COPEMIC), Celestine Kengne has called upon entrepreneurs to “work together hands in gloves”. “People need to stop letting their egos become oversized. Entrepreneurship isn’t about being seen, it’s about having a mission, a vision, and a clear roadmap,” she added. According to her, entrepreneurs lack business coaching in their different fields. Also present at this entrepreneur business forum were promoters of local products and transformation like Stephanie Tchamo. She is a Cameroonian producer of local spices who has expressed gratitude for the opportunity granted to SMEs during these three days.
“Over the course of three days, we were truly enlightened about the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem, the partners we should collaborate with, and all the mechanisms they’ve put in place to support and inform us in overcoming the obstacles we face. It was edifying and educational.”
Some recommendations
At the conclusion of the forum, participants issued a series of recommendations. These included calls for the operationalization of the SME Promotion Fund, the establishment of a legal framework for the “Made in Cameroon” label, improved access to modern equipment and land, and stronger support for innovation and female entrepreneurship.
SME promoters were encouraged to invest in skills development, adopt quality standards, and collaborate to build resilient value chains aligned with national development goals.
The PIISAH forum reaffirmed the central role of SMEs in Cameroon’s industrial strategy and highlighted the need for coordinated action to unlock their full potential.
© Afrique54.net │By Dan A Memée
