Yaoundé, Cameroon, April 2, 2025 – To strengthen and empower Cameroon’s micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), IFC has partnered with the Agence de Promotion des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (APME) to launch a training program to equip hundreds of local businesses with the skills they need to grow and create jobs.
Under the partnership, IFC and APME will roll out IFC’s Financial Management Training Program to at least 500 MSMEs across Cameroon. The program combines in-person sessions with digital modules tailored to the needs of Cameroonian entrepreneurs.
IFC-certified experts will deliver practical training focused on cash flow management, profitability, working capital, and financial reporting. The program also addresses savings strategies and loan management, critical skills for MSMEs aiming to grow and access finance.
This program will support Cameroonian companies across various sectors, including agribusiness, digital, energy, and services.
“MSMEs are the backbone of Cameroon’s economy, but they often struggle to access the tools and knowledge necessary for sustainable growth,” said Jean Marie Louis Bagdad, Director General of APME. “This partnership with IFC marks an important step in APME’s mission to strengthen the managerial capacities of SMEs in Cameroon. By investing in financial education and management skills, we are helping to lay the foundation for a more dynamic and resilient economy in Cameroon.”
“By equipping MSMEs with the tools to manage their finances more effectively, we aim to unlock their full potential and strengthen private sector-led growth,” said Charlotte Ndaw Sako, IFC Country Manager for the Cameroon Cluster. “This initiative, in partnership with APME, underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable economic development and empowering entrepreneurs across Cameroon.”
Previously implemented in the Sahel region, including in Niger, Mali, and Chad, IFC’s Financial Management Training Program is also active in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa. It has trained more than 1,000 MSMEs, with a goal of ensuring that 30 percent of the participants are women.
To ensure the program’s sustainability, IFC will train APME staff and selected facilitators to deliver future sessions independently. IFC will also conduct a virtual focus group with MSME owners to tailor the training content to local needs, integrating relevant examples and case studies.
This initiative is part of IFC’s broader strategy to foster inclusive economic development in Cameroon by strengthening value chains, enhancing digital infrastructure, and addressing the needs of a rapidly urbanizing population
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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About APME
The Agence de Promotion des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (APME) is Cameroon’s government agency dedicated to promoting and supporting the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Through strategic partnerships, targeted programs, and capacity-building initiatives, APME plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s private sector and fostering inclusive economic growth.
For more information, visit www.apme.cm
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