The first Wok Au Mboa (Work Here) business ideas competition in Bafoussam is revealing something invaluable: that investing in a community’s future isn’t just about providing resources, but about helping people to grow. To truly understand what is changing in these young people’s lives, we have chosen to listen to their own voices.

Brice’s story: sustainable craftsmanship that helps the community flourish

Brice is a young craftsman with a clear vision: to transform bamboo into unique furniture, accessories and decorative items. For him, Wok Au Mboa marked a profound turning point, one that stemmed directly from his passion.

“The coaching with the psychology expert gave me the strength to transform the doubts and fears that hold every young entrepreneur back into pure creative energy,” says Brice.

“I’ve introduced an innovative and original technique into my work, focused on respect for the environment and ecological sustainability. But inspiration needed to be balanced with pragmatism: training in marketing and accountancy was the key to turning art into a business, enabling me to attract my first customers and demonstrate the usefulness and value of my products in everyday life.”

In practical terms, the funding received from the project was vital for purchasing essential equipment, which finally enabled him to open his workshop. “My next goals are to expand production to access wider markets and, above all, to launch training sessions for other young people in the city, passing on the skills needed to work with bamboo. A natural resource that must become a symbol of empowerment and pride for the whole community,” he says proudly.

Jean Pierre: agro-industry as a driver of regional development

Jean Pierre is the founder and managing director of an agro-industrial company based in Bafoussam. His company not only processes local oilseeds into high-quality vegetable oils and cosmetic products, but also offers training courses for young people keen to acquire and expand their technical knowledge in this sector.

“The processing of local raw materials is a key driver for the development of our region,” explains Jean Pierre with conviction.

“Thanks to the funding received through the Wok Au Mboa project, my company was able to purchase a seed crusher, a sealing machine with packaging equipment, a precision scale, a filter to optimise the quality of the oils, and a labelling machine to strengthen the brand’s visual identity. This technical modernisation has enabled us to produce more quickly and to a higher standard, directly supporting the growth of the business.”

“Thanks to the combination of funding and support, my company has doubled its turnover,” he said enthusiastically. His ultimate goal is to make his company a benchmark for the Cameroonian market in local agro-industrial processing.

Lauriane: eco-friendly innovation for the soil and the transition to formal business

Lauriane is a young entrepreneur specialising in the production of microorganisms that effectively improve soil fertility. Her work addresses a crucial challenge: avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and promoting agriculture that respects the ecosystem.

Through a ‘mother solution’, Lauriane harnesses the natural microorganisms already present in the virgin forest soil. This is an ecological, economical and safe approach that enables farmers to increase their yields whilst preserving the long-term health of the soil.

For her, taking part in the business ideas competition also marked another key milestone: her venture has finally become a formally registered business. “This step has finally opened doors for me that were previously completely closed,” she says with satisfaction.

“My future goals are to obtain official certification for my products from MINADER, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to increase my production capacity, and to implement a comprehensive communication strategy on the benefits of microorganisms.”

Beyond funding: an integrated development model

The stories of Brice, Jean Pierre and Lauriane strike at the heart of Wok Au Mboa’s mission: to believe in local resources, build technical skills, support the transition to formal business management and support young people in every aspect of their lives. The first results achieved in Bafoussam confirm our model: the path to resilient youth entrepreneurship lies in combining technical skills, funding, market strategy, ecological innovation and psychological wellbeing.

Wok Au Mboa is a project funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior and coordinated by ARCS – Arci Culture Solidali, in collaboration with: Associazione COE – ETS, COECAM, CIPCRE, Associazione Ingegneri Africani ETS, CIM onlus and ISF-Milano.