Cameroon Economic Policy Institute Trains Entrepreneurs on AfCFTA Trade Tools. Yaoundé, Cameroon — The Cameroon Economic Policy Institute (CEPI), a project of the Henri Kouam Foundation, conducted a comprehensive training workshop on September 15, 2025, designed to empower Cameroonian entrepreneurs to capitalize on trade opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The workshop, held at Prima Finance and Investment plc (PFI) in Biyem-Assi, brought together 21 entrepreneurs to explore the African Trade Observatory (ATO) and trade finance.
Henri Kouam, Founder and Executive Director of CEPI, opened the session by introducing PFI, emphasizing its role in supporting trade financing and fostering business expansion.
The workshop centered on the AfCFTA’s operational tools, particularly the ATO, a key digital platform simplifying cross-border trade across Africa. CEPI’s initiative distinguished itself by focusing on regional trade, providing hands-on training for navigating complex trade agreements and export regulations.
Participants learned to use the ATO to identify products, explore markets, and access information on export rules and regulations.
The training also included practical demonstrations of the platform using entrepreneurs’own products.
The workshop was a first for many attendees, offering a detailed understanding of the AfCFTA’s operational aspects.
Bidoua Bela Bernadette, an infusion manufacturer, described the training as transformative, emphasizing the need for more targeted regional trade programs. Melingui Ambani Gisele, Founder of Pesoja Biscuits, called for more frequent sessions, highlighting the gap in capacity building for entrepreneurs regarding regional trade.
The training underscores the critical role of institutions like CEPI in translating continental trade agreements into tangible opportunities for small and medium — sized enterprises (SMEs).
As Cameroon progresses in its economic development, empowering entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and knowledge is considered a strategic necessity.
The workshop is part of CEPI’s “Trade for You “program, aimed at fostering a new generation of African business leaders capable of competing at the continental level. Participants recommended monthly capacity-building initiatives and clearer publication of export and import procedures by public institutions.
With the AfCFTA poised to create the world’s largest free trade area, initiatives like CEPI’s workshop are crucial in ensuring small businesses are not left behind in Africa’s integration journey.
