A total of 25 start-uppers and small business owners have received investment grants for their innovative business ideas during the closing ceremony of the North-West Economic Forum, held at the North-West Regional Assembly Auditorium in Bamenda. Among the most notable prizes were a 10 million FCFA grant to Écho and 5 million FCFA to Z-Learn, presented as part of the North West Digital Entrepreneurship Programme, powered by the North West Digital Association (NOWEDA).
The grants were awarded in recognition of outstanding entrepreneurial innovation, social impact and business potential, with the initiative spearheaded by the North-West Regional Assembly to stimulate private sector growth among young people.
The announcement was met with applause from a packed auditorium of business leaders, policymakers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, closing the Forum on a note of optimism and encouragement.
In a region grappling with the twin challenges of insecurity and economic stagnation, the move to invest directly in local entrepreneurship signals a shift in strategy from dependence on state-led recovery to empowering individual initiative. For many, the grants represent renewed hope that local talent can drive long-term transformation.
The targeting of digital enterprises in particular reflects a recognition of the changing economic landscape. With Écho and Z-Learn emerging as leading innovators in tech-driven services, the support extended through NOWEDA suggests a deliberate attempt to align regional development with global digital trends.
In a context where youth unemployment remains worryingly high and many graduates find themselves underemployed or idle, such initiatives serve both an economic and social purpose. By backing small business owners, the Regional Assembly is not only promoting job creation but also encouraging self-reliance, problem-solving and innovation among the region’s most energetic demographic.