The Minister of Small and Medium-SizedEnterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III,presided this Thursday, March 5, 2026, over the launch of the Institutional Networking Day organized by the African Women Entrepreneurship Program(AWEP) Cameroon. According to information shared by the Ministry on its official platforms, this forum marks a decisive step toward the economic empowerment of women.

The event featured high-ranking figures, including the edition’s patron, Madam Marcie Niat, as well as representatives from MINPROFF, IOM, and UN Women. This exchange framework provided a concrete economic dimension to the 41st International Women's Rights Day, highlighting that female entrepreneurship is not just a matter of equity, but a driver of growth and social transformation for Cameroon.

Expert analysis: female entrepreneurship as a pillar for diversifying subcontracting

For the SPX-CMR, the growth of networks like AWEP is a strong signal for broadening the national supplier base.

"The active participation of women in institutional meetings is crucial for breaking barriers to entry in industrial sectors. At the SPX-CMR, we observe that women-led businesses often demonstrate great rigor in quality management and sustainability. Encouraging strategic female entrepreneurship means injecting innovation and resilience into our subcontracting ecosystem", emphasizes the Head of Local Supply Promotion at SPX-CMR.