At Bissaï University Institute, We Incorporates Principles Of Solidarity Economy – RENAPROV Comm. Officers

Jean Patient Tsala and Abel Bela Samari, Manager and Deputy Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RENAPROV Finance SA, have stated that at Bissaï University Institute, the approach of the institute incorporates the principles of the solidarity economy, stressing collaboration and mutual support. Speaking to News-Lens during the Open Door Day held on September 3, the officials highlighted that the institute’s mission goes beyond merely training Cameroonians to be job seekers. Instead, it aims to empower them to become job creators, fostering a dynamic spirit of entrepreneurship that can drive economic growth and innovation in the country. Read the following excerpts.

**Jean Patient Tsala and Abel Bela Samari, Manager and Deputy Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RENAPROV Finance SA speaking during the Open-Door-Day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Excepts

News-lens: What inspired Bissaï University Institute to host an Open Door Day today?

Samari Abel: Today’s Open Door Day is a significant milestone for us. After three years, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to evaluate our progress and engage directly with parents and the wider community. We want to share the philosophy behind the creation of Bissaï University Institute, which uniquely specially incorporates both the professional training and the university LMD programme. Many parents are often confused about what makes our institution special. This is an opportunity and we are discussing with the parents to let them know what we offer. We aim to train Cameroonians not just to be job seekers, but to become job creators, and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Can you elaborate on the concept of job creation and the solidarity economy that you mentioned?

Jean Patient Tsala: Absolutely! At Bissaï University Institute, we are deeply committed to empowering our students to become successful entrepreneurs. We understand that while many individuals aspire to start their own businesses, they often lack a foundational philosophy that can drive sustainable growth and long-term success. Our approach integrates the principles of the solidarity economy, which stressing collaboration, mutual support, and community engagement.

**Jean Patient Tsala, Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RENAPROV Finance SA** **speaking during the Open-Door-Day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

This Open Door Day presents a valuable opportunity for us to share this vision with parents and prospective students. We want to convey that education at Bissaï University Institute is not only transformative but also accessible, particularly for those who may face financial constraints. We firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for alleviating poverty and fostering economic independence. By encouraging entrepreneurship, we aim to equip our students with the skills and mindset necessary to create their own opportunities, contribute to their communities, and ultimately pave the way for a brighter future for themselves and others.

How does Bissaï University Institute ensure that its graduates are well-prepared for the job market?

Jean Patient Tsala: Great question! Our curriculum at Bissaï University Institute is designed with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, featuring an impressive 80 percent practical training and only 20 percent theory. This practical experience is conducted within our own enterprises, such as RENAPROV Finance SA for banking and accounting, Royal FM for journalism, and MAMU Hospital Complex for health-related fields.

**visitors** **during the Open-Door-Day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

By the time our students graduate, they are not merely job seekers; they are equipped with the skills and confidence to create jobs and contribute actively to the economy. We prioritize nurturing talent and fostering an environment where all students can thrive, regardless of their starting point. This approach ensures that every student not only gains valuable industry experience but also develops the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in today’s dynamic job market. Our goal is to empower them to become leaders in their fields, driving innovation and positive change in their communities.

What message do you have for parents considering Bissaï University Institute for their children?

Samari Abel: Our message is clear: Bissaï University Institute is dedicated to recruiting the best students, but we also believe in inclusivity and opportunity for all. We strive to create a supportive environment that transforms every student into a valuable contributor to society, regardless of their background or academic history.

**Abel Bela Samari, Deputy Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RENAPROV Finance SA speaking during the Open-Door-Day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Our Open Door Day serves as an invitation to parents to discover how we can assist their children in not just securing employment, but also becoming active agents of development within our community. We envision a collaborative effort where students are empowered to take charge of their futures, fostering innovation and positive change.

Together, we can build a brighter future for Cameroon through the combined forces of education and entrepreneurship. By investing in our young people, we are investing in the nation’s progress and prosperity, ensuring that they have the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Interviewed by Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon, AFDB Sign FCFA 8.9 billion Loan Deal To Develop Skills & Entrepreneurship In Far North

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have signed loan agreements worth FCFA 8.9 billion (€136 million) to finance a program aimed at building skills, creating jobs, and modernizing infrastructure in the country’s conflict-affected Far North region.

**Cameroon’s Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey and AfDB Central Africa Director General Léandre Bassolé sign the agreements in Yaoundé** (Source: AfDB)

The agreements for the “Building Capacities and Skills for Employability and Entrepreneurship in the Extrême Nord Region” (CAP2E) were signed in Yaoundé on Sept. 17.

Cameroon’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, signed on behalf of Cameroon. Léandre Bassolé, the AfDB’s Director General for Central Africa, signed for the bank.

The financing package includes €130.2 million from the bank’s non-concessional window and €5.8 million from its concessional lending arm, the African Development Fund.

**Mey and Bassolé exchange documents after signing the agreements** (Source: AfDB)

The five-year program will support technical and vocational training for 6,000 young people and is expected to create at least 5,000 jobs, with 40% reserved for women. It will also provide backing for over 500 small and medium-sized businesses.

Additionally, the initiative will fund the construction or rehabilitation of 22 training centers and 29 social facilities, expand access to health and education services, and support renewable energy solutions to strengthen climate resilience.

“The aim is to invest in human capital, strengthen the skills of local people and create job opportunities in promising sectors such as agriculture and renewables,” Minister Mey said at the signing ceremony.

He added that the program will help to promote shared prosperity, reduce inequalities, and consolidate social stability, with particular attention paid to young people and women.

**Family photo with Cameroon officials, AfDB representatives and lawmakers from the Far North region** (Source: AfDB)

Bassolé described the initiative as “a genuine catalyst for transformation” that would strengthen infrastructure, promote private sector entrepreneurship, and support the solar energy sector.

He emphasized that through this initiative, the bank reaffirms its commitment to promoting the sustainable empowerment of young people and women by means of targeted, high-impact interventions.

The program aligns with Cameroon’s national development strategy and the bank’s 2023-2028 country strategy. It also directly supports the government’s Special Program for the Reconstruction and Development of the Far North.

Cassava Technologies Partners With Accenture To Expand Sovereign AI Across Africa

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader rooted in African heritage, has announced a strategic collaboration with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to enhance its sovereign AI capabilities throughout Africa.

Under the agreement, Accenture will utilize its AI Refinery platform and other technologies to develop sovereign AI solutions that take advantage of Cassava’s GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), housed in secure data centers accelerated by NVIDIA AI infrastructure.

These solutions will enable Cassava’s current and prospective customers to process AI workloads and data within national borders, adhering to local regulations.

Cassava plans to initiate its rollout in South Africa, with expansions planned for Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. This phased approach aligns with Cassava’s ongoing development of additional data center facilities across Africa.

The company will leverage its pan-African, high-speed, ultra-low-latency fiber broadband network, which connects its energy-efficient data centers to support AI computing workloads.

“AI is creating exciting new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and growth across Africa,” said Mauro Macchi, CEO of Accenture for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “With our extensive global experience in sovereign cloud and AI, Accenture will help Cassava deliver secure, scalable sovereign AI solutions and reimagine its operations. Together, we will empower organizations across the continent to adopt AI with confidence and unlock new ways to create value.”

“With our GPUaaS, Cassava aims to lead the continent’s AI revolution by offering businesses flexible access to computing power tailored to their needs,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO of Cassava AI. “Our commitment is to ensure Africa has the infrastructure to compete in the AI era. AI is not just a technology story; it’s a nation-building story focused on inclusion. Partnering with Accenture allows us to leverage their expertise in developing a sovereign AI cloud tailored for the African market. This collaboration will enhance data governance, facilitate practical AI adoption across key industries, and ensure that we provide African solutions for African challenges.”

The partnership will integrate local context, languages, and cultural nuances into AI solutions, making them relevant and impactful for African enterprises in sectors such as financial services, mining, telecommunications, agriculture, and healthcare. This localized approach will strengthen compliance and trust while ensuring the technology reflects market realities, enabling businesses to innovate sustainably.

Cassava will invest in building the necessary infrastructure and platforms to support commercialization, focusing on scalability, security, and compliance. This initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible AI adoption, innovation, and productivity growth in Africa.

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that assists businesses, governments, and organizations in building their digital core, optimizing operations, accelerating revenue growth, and enhancing citizen services, creating tangible value quickly and at scale.

Cassava Technologies, headquartered in the UK, provides a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure to enable digital transformation across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States.

Unstoppable Africa 2025, Igniting A Revolution In AI Innovations & Investments

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Major projects and initiatives aimed at positioning Africa at the center of global innovation have been highlighted during Unstoppable Africa 2025, held in New York City. This year’s event brought together CEOs to discuss Africa’s role in the global economy, marking a significant step for the continent’s stakeholders in developing local AI solutions to address pressing challenges.

**Unstoppable Africa 2025, United Nations Global Compact**

Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet Global and Cassava Technologies, announced plans to establish Africa’s first network of AI factories.

Powered by NVIDIA GPUs, Masiyiwa said the facilities are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, setting the stage for homegrown innovation and accelerating Africa’s participation in the global AI economy.

Meta also made an ambitious announcement. Kojo Boakye, vice president and public policy director for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey, signaled upcoming investment opportunities in Africa’s digital ecosystem, highlighting the company’s confidence in the continent’s growing tech and AI potential.

These initiatives reflect a shift toward locally led solutions and long-term planning, focusing on robust systems, the adoption of advanced technologies, and capital investment to drive regional integration and global competitiveness.

Unstoppable Africa 2025, the flagship event of the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), also brought together business leaders, African heads of state, global investors, and international institutions to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation.

New commitments in infrastructure, advanced technologies, and investment underscored the growing confidence in Africa’s private sector.

In the financial services sector, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), in collaboration with African pension and social security institutions, launched the “Africa Savings for Growth” initiative.

This initiative seeks to explore ways to channel African institutional savings into longer-term investments that support inclusive growth. It builds on AFC’s 2025 analysis, which identifies at least $1.17 trillion in institutional assets across Africa, much of which remains allocated to short-term, low-yield instruments.

The Global Africa Business Initiative also launched two new GABI Action Pathways focused on digital transformation and healthcare, aiming to connect businesses, governments, and innovators in sectors critical to Africa’s competitiveness and resilience.

The Healthcare Action Pathway aims to improve access to medical services through digital tools, build stronger regional supply chains, attract investment, and support the growth of Africa’s healthcare workforce.

Meanwhile, the Digital Transformation Action Pathway focuses on upgrading government services, expanding internet access and digital infrastructure, training people for future jobs, assisting small businesses with technology and funding, and promoting responsible use of AI and data.

Discussions also centered on new partnerships, Africa’s digital growth, and the continent’s thriving sports and creative industries, including music and fashion.

Notable attendees included acclaimed director Ava DuVernay; 15-year-old climate and health champion Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun-Githae; Paralympic champion Marcus Samuelsson; and international singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage, who performed at the event. Their contributions echoed the forum’s central message of empowerment, innovation, and sustainable progress across the continent.

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed stated, “When people say Africa is resilient, they’ve got a different definition of resilience than we have. Africa’s resilience is about how we build on what we have and how we strengthen our markets, our economies, and our democracies. Unstoppable Africa is a space to remind ourselves that this is who we are; it is our narrative, on our terms that we go forth.”

Unstoppable Africa is the leading African business forum held outside the continent. Hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union, the event took place just ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Unstoppable Africa aims to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation and empower Africa to take a leading role in shaping the markets of the future.

MINJEC, LOYOC Partner To Boost Socio-Economic Integration Of Young People

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) and Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at fostering the socio-economic integration of young people and enhancing civic education.

**Minister Mounouna Foutsou and Achaleke Christian Leke signing MoU**

The agreement was formalized during the launch of the Youth, Peace, and Security National Action Plan 2025–2030 that took place on September 22 in Yaounde. Minister Mounouna Foutsou represented MINJEC, while Achaleke Christian Leke signed on behalf of LOYOC.

The launching ceremony took place as Cameroon joined the international community to celebrate the 44th edition of the International Day of Peace. This year’s theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”

The collaboration focuses on key areas, including moral and entrepreneurial development, technical capacity building in leadership and citizenship, and the promotion of community volunteering.

**Minister Mounouna Foutsou and Achaleke Christian Leke exchanging MoU**

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to have a significant impact by equipping youth with essential skills and knowledge, thereby enhancing their participation in civic activities and decision-making processes.

Additionally, the partnership addresses pressing challenges such as violent extremism and social exclusion, promoting a more inclusive and resilient society.

Through coordinated efforts, both parties will leverage their resources to implement sustainable solutions that nurture responsible, dynamic, and engaged youth, ultimately contributing to national development goals and fostering a culture of peace and security across Cameroon.

**Minister Mounouna Foutsou and Achaleke Christian Leke brandishing MoU**

By engaging young people aged 15 to 35, particularly those registered with the National Youth Observatory, the partnership seeks to empower youth as active agents of change and catalysts for peace in their communities.

Cameroon PM Opens Long-Delayed Babadjou-Bamenda Road

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, has formally inaugurated a crucial 35km road connecting the West and Northwest regions, a project long hampered by delays and insecurity.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Babadjou–Bamenda stretch took place on September 17 in Matazem, under tight security.

Speaking at the event, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute said the new road would “boost trade, reduce costs for goods, and improve access to markets for farmers and families in the Northwest.”

The government has hailed the completion of the project as a major step toward addressing transport challenges and fostering regional integration, despite years of setbacks, security threats, and accusations of inflated costs.

During his visit, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Mile 4 bridge, inspected C2D-funded projects, and laid the foundation stone for a new administrative block at the Mile 4 market.

However, the tour was overshadowed by a two-week-long, separatist-enforced lockdown that has reportedly led to several casualties.

The timing of the visit has drawn scrutiny from political commentators, who suggest it could be a strategic move to rally support for President Paul Biya ahead of upcoming presidential elections.

The inauguration of the long-delayed infrastructure is viewed by some as a campaign tool amidst a volatile political and security climate.

Gov’t Honours 5 Councils For Outstanding Public Investment Performance

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Cameroon government, through the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), has recognised five councils for their exemplary performance in implementing the 2024 Public Investment Budget (PIB). The awards were presented at the “Model Councils Award Ceremony” in Yaoundé on Tuesday, 16 September 2025.

**Winners pose for a group picture** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The ceremony, chaired by MINEPAT Minister, Alamine Ousmane Mey, was attended by Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze, Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Dr Taiga, and representatives from the United Councils of Cities of Cameroon UCCC, among others.

The honoured councils were Idenau (Southwest Region), Ndelele (East Region), Nkambe (Northwest Region), Nyambaka (Adamawa Region), and Pette (Far North Region). Each council received FCFA 50 million, totalling FCFA 250 million, as a reward for their effective use of public funds.

Speaking at the event, Minister Mey praised the councils for setting a strong example in Cameroon’s decentralisation process, a cornerstone of national development policy since the 1996 Constitution.

**Winners and officials pose for a group picture** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

He noted that between 2018 and 2024, over FCFA 700 billion had been allocated to councils for development projects, though approximately FCFA 70 billion remained unutilised due to various challenges.

“We celebrate those who have excelled in performance while encouraging others to improve,” Minister Mey said. “We are committed to supporting councils to enhance project preparation, budgeting, execution, and monitoring to meet public expectations.”

**Officials during the award ceremony** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to decentralisation, describing it as “irreversible” and urging mayors, communities, and government bodies to work together to transform living conditions through effective resource use. He expressed hope that more councils would achieve similar recognition in the future.

Hon. Gerald Ngala, MP for Nkambe, representing the mayor, thanked the government for the initiative, which he said would motivate mayors to advance President Paul Biya’s decentralisation agenda.

**Minister Ousmane Mey talking during the award ceremony** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

“The FCFA 50 million will fund income-generating projects, particularly for youth and internally displaced persons, ensuring job creation in peaceful Nkambe,” he said.

The mayors of Idenau and Pette also expressed gratitude, pledging to continue efforts to improve living standards. According to MINEPAT, the awards align with President Biya’s goal of transforming regional and local authorities into engines of growth and development.

**Council Representatives and officials pose for a family picture** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The initiative aims to optimise PIB implementation, with state transfers to councils rising by 55.7 percent from FCFA 92 billion in 2018 to FCFA 143.2 billion in 2024.

Cameroonian Healthtech Company Waspito Named A Top 10 Finalist For Africa’s Business Heroes Prize

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s Waspito, an innovative African telemedicine platform, has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize. Waspito is the only company from Cameroon to make the list, which features nine other innovative businesses from across the continent.

**Africa’s Business Heroes 2025 Top 10 Finalists announced at Semi-Final event** (Source: ABH)

The announcement made recently following a highly competitive semi-final round held in Dakar, Senegal, from September 10–11. The ABH Prize is a flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy that aims to support and celebrate African entrepreneurs.

The Road to the Grand Finale

The selection process was rigorous, starting with a pool of nearly 32,000 applicants. The top 20 semi-finalists advanced through multiple rounds of evaluation, including extensive due diligence and live pitch sessions before a distinguished panel of judges.

The judges—Hasan Haidar (Managing Director, PlusVC), Moulaye Taboure (CEO & Founder, ANKA), and Jason Pau (Vice President, Alibaba Group)—evaluated the candidates on their innovation, impact, scalability, and leadership.

“Our Top 10 Finalists embody the best of African entrepreneurship—visionary leaders building bold, scalable businesses that create meaningful social and environmental impact,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, ABH’s Africa Managing Director. “Their journeys showcase the ingenuity, grit, and diversity of Africa’s entrepreneurial talent.”

Competing for a Share of $1.5 Million

The top 10 “heroes” will now head to the seventh ABH Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 12-13, 2025, where they will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding. The grand prize winner will receive US$300,000, while the other finalists will each take home at least US$100,000. All finalists will also receive access to mentorship, global networks, and storytelling opportunities to help accelerate their growth.

Moulaye Taboure, a former ABH finalist, returned as a judge for the first time. “As a former ABH Top 10 Hero, I know the transformative power of this platform,” Taboure said. “I am thrilled to congratulate this year’s Top 10 finalists. Their innovation, resilience, and impact are inspiring.” The competition, now in its seventh year, continues to celebrate and empower Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs.

2025 Top 10 Finalists:

Wyclife Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya) – Transport / Digital Ticketing

Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal) – FoodTech / Infant Nutrition

Mukasahaha Diane – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda) – Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment

Baraka Chijenga – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Food Security

Janet Kuteli – Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya) – FinTech / Microfinance

Diana Orembe – NovFeed (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Biotech

Abraham Mbuthia – Uzapoint Technologies Limited (Kenya) – SME Tech / Digital Tools

Gohar Said – Suplyd (Egypt) – FoodTech / Supply Chain

Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa) – HealthTech / Digital Solutions

Jean Lobe Lobe – Waspito (Cameroon) – HealthTech / Telemedicine

Pan-African Trade Fair Propels Continental Integration With Major $48.3B In Deals

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The fourth Intra-African Trade Fair concluded in a resounding success here, with $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the weeklong continental exposition. The event, which ended Sept. 10, drew more than 112,000 visitors, both physical and virtual, from 132 countries. A total of 958 buyers also participated.

**Leaders during the closing ceremony of IATF2025 (Source: Afreximbank)**

The trade fair was organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president and chairman of the Advisory Council of IATF2023, said the fair had surpassed all expectations. He expressed a “sense of accomplishment and feeling of satisfaction” at the outcome, which he attributed to the vibrant exchanges and dynamic partnerships that pervaded the event.

“Through vibrant exchanges and partnerships, IATF2023 has exceeded our expectations and now stands as the biggest ever,” Obasanjo said. “It has sown the seed of future prosperity for our shared vision of an economically integrated Africa. We need to continue building on these established connections in exploring new opportunities, working together to realize the full benefits of AfCFTA.”

There were also enriching discussions by political, business and other leaders on key Intra-African trade issues during the conference segment of the trade fair, with some of the most sought-after African and international speakers participating.

Other key outcomes from the event included the institutionalization of the Intra-African Trade Fair as a stand-alone treaty-based entity called IATFCO, with its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. Lagos, Nigeria, was announced as the venue for the next IATF in 2025, with the hosting flag presented to the Nigerian trade minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.

The hosting rights for the Sixth African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Investment Conference in 2026 were also awarded to Cross River State of Nigeria, with Calabar as the designated venue. The hosting agreement was signed by Gov. Bassey Edet Otu on behalf of the state and Kanayo Awani, executive vice president of Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank.

Algeria, a natural choice for IATF2023 because of its established industrial value chains, diversified economy and strategic location, accounted for $11.4 billion of the total contracts signed, representing 23.6% of the total deals. An additional $11.6 billion in export opportunities for Algerian companies from the fair are still scheduled to be signed.

Algerian businesses took advantage of the fair to showcase their products, attract investment and connect with new partners, establishing long-term business relationships in support of AfCFTA implementation. The impressive turnout also brought heightened media visibility to the Maghreb country, boosting its trade prospects. The tourism and hospitality sectors benefited from a boom in patronage of hotels, transport and logistics companies, tour operators and other businesses.

The closing ceremony also featured an awards segment. Winners included Mota Engil for Best Stand Design (Entity), Zambia for Best Stand Design (Pavilion), and Nigeria for Best Stand. The award for Best Stand Feature went to Zimbabwe, Most Sustainable/Going Green to Ogun State, Nigeria, Most Innovative Stand to Arise IIP, the CANEX Award to the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Algeria, and the African Automotive Show Award to Fiat Stellantis.

Awards were also presented in the AU Youth Startup, Healthcare Technology Innovation Hackathon and SME Pitch categories. Thousands of African businesses, including SMEs, have connected with new partners and entered new markets through the IATF platform.

The opening ceremony, addressed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune among other dignitaries, featured a lively summit-style discussion with 14 Heads of State and government, six government representatives and 41 ministers and deputy ministers.

According to the IATF2023 Report Card, the event welcomed 2,148 exhibitors and featured major activities. These included a trade exhibition, a four-day trade and investment forum, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program covering fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature and gastronomy, as well as the Africa Automotive Show.

The robust program also included nine Special Days hosted by countries and organizations, including an IATF2023 Global Africa Day that highlighted commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, the Arise IIP Industrial Day, and the Dangote Day. The event also featured B2B and B2G matchmaking programs to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations.

The AU Youth Start-Up Programme showcased innovative ideas and prototypes, and the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeted academia and national researchers. The activities were preceded by the IATF Virtual Platform, which had been live throughout the year, connecting exhibitors and visitors.

At Open-Door-Day, Bissaï University Institute Showcases Unique Vocational-Academic Model

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Bissaï University Institute has open it doors to the public presenting an innovative vocational-academic model that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. On September 13, the institute welcome hundreds of visitors giving them a firsthand look at its unique educational model that blends academic studies with hands-on vocational training.

**Bissaï University Institute officials giving first-hand information during the open-door-day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Situated at Ekounou-Deux-Chevaux, the open day event provided prospective students and parents an opportunity to explore its programs, meet with lecturers, and tour the facilities. University officials stressed the institution’s distinct philosophy, which is designed to create job creators rather than just job seekers.

“After three years of operation, Bissaï University Institute thought it wise to communicate with parents and Cameroonians on the philosophy behind its creation,” said Abel Bela Samari, Deputy Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RENAPROV Finance SA, the institute’s parent company.

**Cross Section of parents reacting during the open-door-day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

He explained that the institute’s integration of the standard university LMD programme with professional training often causes confusion, making events like this essential for clarity.

“We wanted to have one-to-one communication with parents to give them the reason why their children should study here,” Samari stated. “We also want to communicate that this is not an expensive university; even those with limited means can send their children here.”

Central to this mission is a teaching approach heavily weighted toward practical experience. The institute operates on an 80 percent practical and 20 percent theory model, leveraging its connection to the RENAPROV corporate group.

**Lecturers giving first-hand information during the open-door-day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

“The 80 percent practical are done in the different enterprises that make up the group,” Samari Abel noted. “This is what we call the solidarity economy in action.”

Students on their part attest to the program’s effectiveness. “I can already consider myself a professional,” said Bindzi Odoumou, a journalism student. He described the institute’s alternating schedule of three weeks in class and three weeks of internship. “Since the beginning until now, it’s been going very well… I am inviting my brothers and sisters to join because they will not be disappointed.”

**Cross Section of visitors during the open-door-day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Blessing Kenah Nyaah, a would-be graduate, said her three years at the institute had been “so far, so good” and that she had no regrets about her choice. She indicated that she is ready and very ready to give the best as she goes to the job market.

Journalism student Christine Abomo Yomba highlighted the competitive edge the training provides. “During our internships, we were a step ahead of other students in our actions. We are perfectly bilingual and open to opportunities, but you must be hardworking and be the best.”

**Students demonstrating their skills during the open-door-day** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The open day allowed visitors to explore the institute’s various programs in fields such as banking, insurance, health, and journalism. Attendees also had the chance to participate in workshops, attend conferences, and speak directly with teachers and guidance counselors.

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