About Us
Youth & Women Entrepreneurship Association
Empowering change makers, building lasting futures.
We equip young people and women with tools, training, and networks to become economically independent — transforming communities from within.
Join the Movement
Whether you are a donor, partner, volunteer, or supporter — you can be part of our mission to empower youth and women. Together, we can build businesses, create opportunities, and transform communities.
Who We Are
The Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Association (YWEA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 in Buea, South West Region.YWEA was established with a clear purpose—to empower youth and women to become economically independent through entrepreneurship, skills development, and access to opportunities.We believe that young people and women are powerful agents of change, and when equipped with the right tools, they can transform not only their own lives but also their communities.
What We Do
At YWEA, we design and implement programs that focus on:
Startup Support
Supporting small businesses with knowledge, tools, and access to opportunities.
Skills Development
Equipping participants with relevant skills for the modern economy, including digital and vocational skills.
Business Mentorship
Connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced mentors to guide their journey.
Entrepreneurship Training
Providing practical training to help youth and women start and manage businesses.
Community Empowerment
Working directly with underserved communities to create inclusive economic opportunities.
Our Focus Areas
Youth empowerment (ages 18–35)
Women’s economic empowerment
Underserved & marginalized communities
Small business development
Digital and innovation skills
Our Approach
Practical and results-oriented programming
Accessible to underserved populations
Inclusive & gender-responsive design
Sustainable and scalable solutions
Community-driven co-creation
Our Impact
In the first two years of operations, YWEA has:
Trained over 10,000+ young women and youth in Cameroon on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business management.
Facilitated access to seed funding for 5,000+ emerging businesses, helping entrepreneurs launch sustainable ventures.
Provided 1,200 hours of mentorship and coaching, connecting participants with experienced leaders and business experts.
Hosted 30 networking and advocacy events, amplifying youth and women voices in local economic development initiatives.
These interventions have directly benefited participants and their communities, fostering economic growth, job creation, and leadership development, while setting the stage for expansion across Africa.
Our Mission
To empower youth and women entrepreneurs by expanding access to business training, mentorship, digital innovation, and affordable financing.
Our Vision
To create a future where youth and women, particularly in underserved and rural communities, have equal opportunities to build sustainable businesses, achieve financial independence, and contribute to inclusive economic development.
Why We Exist
Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Potential of Youth and Women
Across many developing and emerging economies, youth and women represent one of the most powerful yet underutilized drivers of economic growth. While they possess creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial ambition, they often face significant barriers that limit their ability to start and grow successful businesses.
Many aspiring entrepreneurs lack access to business training, mentorship, affordable financing, and professional networks. In rural and underserved communities, these barriers are even more pronounced, leaving thousands of promising ideas unrealized.
Women entrepreneurs face additional challenges due to gender inequality, including limited access to credit, land ownership, and formal business opportunities.
Youth unemployment also remains a pressing challenge. Without opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods, many young people struggle to transition into stable economic participation.
The Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Association (YWEA) exists to address these gaps.
We believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most effective tools for reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, and creating sustainable economic growth.
By equipping youth and women with the right skills, resources, and financial opportunities, we help transform entrepreneurial ideas into thriving businesses that create jobs and strengthen communities.
Transparency and Accountability
Our Commitment to Responsible Impact
At YWEA, we are committed to operating with integrity, transparency, and accountability in everything we do.
We recognize that our partners, donors, and community stakeholders trust us to manage resources responsibly and deliver measurable impact.
To uphold this commitment, we adhere to the following principles:
Financial Transparency
We maintain clear financial records and ensure that all funds are used to support our programs and mission.
Responsible Governance
Our organization is guided by a leadership team and advisory board committed to ethical decision-making and responsible management.
Program Accountability
We continuously monitor and evaluate our programs to ensure that they deliver meaningful results for youth and women entrepreneurs.
Open Communication
We maintain open communication with our partners, supporters, and communities about our activities, achievements, and challenges.
By prioritizing transparency and accountability, we build trust and strengthen the long-term impact of our work.
Results and Impact Dashboard
Measuring the Change We Create
At YWEA, we believe that real impact should be measurable and transparent. Our work focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening local economies.
Why YWEA Matters
In many communities, youth and women face steep barriers — limited education, scarce financial resources, high unemployment, and restricted opportunities. YWEA exists to bridge these gaps and create sustainable pathways toward economic independence and long-term success.
- 🚫 Limited access to training
- 💰 Lack of financial resources
- 📉 High unemployment
- 🏢 Scarce business opportunities
Key Impact Indicators
Entrepreneurs Trained
Number of youth and women who have completed entrepreneurship training programs.
Businesses Started or Expanded
Number of new businesses launched or existing businesses strengthened through our programs.
Jobs Created
Employment opportunities generated by businesses supported through YWEA initiatives.
Women-Led Enterprises Supported
Number of businesses owned or managed by women receiving mentorship, training, or financial support.
Access to Finance Facilitated
Total amount of funding and financial opportunities accessed by entrepreneurs through our partnerships.
Long-Term Outcomes
Through our programs, we aim to contribute to:
- Reduced youth unemployment
- Increased economic participation for women
- Sustainable local economic growth
- Stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems
- Greater financial inclusion
Our impact is not only measured in numbers but also in the lives changed, businesses created, and communities strengthened through entrepreneurship.
Our Core Objectives
Build the entrepreneurial capacity of young women through practical, market-driven training and coaching.
Facilitate access to finance, grants, and investment readiness resources.
Promote leadership and civic participation among young women.
Advocate for policies and systems that advance gender equality and inclusive economic development.
Foster a vibrant and supportive network of young female entrepreneurs across Africa.
Our Core Values
Empowerment
Empowerment
Enabling individuals to take control of their future
Integrity
integrity
Transparency and accountability in all we do
Inclusiveness
Inclusiveness
Innovation
Innovation
Sustainability
Sustainability
Collaboration
Collaboration
Our Commitment
- ⚖️ Promoting gender equality & inclusion
- 🌱 Supporting sustainable livelihoods
- 📊 Creating measurable impact
- 🏘️ Building strong & resilient communities
We are dedicated to unlocking human potential where it’s needed most. Every program is a step toward resilient communities and dignified livelihoods.
What Makes YWEA Unique?
Pan-African Reach: Active presence in Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, and the Republic of Congo.
Youth-Led & Women-Driven: Our programs are designed by and for young African women.
Grassroots to Global: We bridge the gap between community development and regional advocacy.
Full Cycle Support: From ideation to investment, our programs cover every stage of entrepreneurial growth.
Our Leadership Team
YWEA is guided by a passionate and diverse leadership team committed to building inclusive, impact-driven systems that empower women from the grassroots to the global stage. Each leader brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to youth development, and a unique lens on how to build resilient communities.
Emmanuel Kum Bang
Founder & President, YWEA
Emmanuel Kum Bang
Founder & President, YWEA
Ngueneba Harry
Co-Founder & Head of Ghana Office, YWEA
Ngueneba Harry
Co-Founder & Head of Ghana Office, YWEA
Nodrine Mirembe
Board Member, YWEA
Nodrine Mirembe
Board Member, YWEA
Mirabelle Iwoh Nji
Chief Executive Officer, YWEA Cameroon
Mirabelle Iwoh Nji
Chief Executive Officer, YWEA Cameroon
Agbor Georgiana Manyo
Board Member, YWEA
Agbor Georgiana Manyo
Board Member, YWEA
Barrister Lohtabu Evans Tingom
Board Member, YWEA
Barrister Lohtabu Evans Tingom
Board Member, YWEA
Kum Julius Geh
Board Member, YWEA
Kum Julius Geh
Board Member, YWEA
Elive Iya Sophia
Board Member, YWEA
Elive Iya Sophia
Board Member, YWEA
Agha Nelly
Board Member, YWEA
Agha Nelly
Board Member, YWEA
Join the Movement
Whether you are a donor, partner, volunteer, or supporter — you can be part of our mission to empower youth and women. Together, we can build businesses, create opportunities, and transform communities.