African Women Green Innovation Enterprise Developm

by Association of African Entrepreneurs

Project Report | Nov 5, 2024
The Waste Management Service Industry: Threats and Opportunities

By By Gao Mian | AAE Intern

At the heart of every successful venture lies a thorough understanding of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—a process known as SWOT Analysis. This is why the AAE Member Department embarked on a journey to apply this strategic tool as part of the collaborative mentoring process of AAE.

SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the internal and external factors that impact a business. By understanding these factors, businesses can make informed decisions and develop strategies to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Following is one of the reports for AAE Entreprenur Pamela Azanfouet Ndemanou, of NKWANGTECH Foundation. She is a representative female entrepreneur and she has quite strong job skills. The research on her business was carried our from August 5th to August 10th, 2024. The prurpose was to understandPamela's business operates, measuring performance, providing enterprise operation recommendations and evaluating business opportunities

Opportunities:

The legal framework governing non-governmental organizations in the Western Province of Cameroon is comprehensive. Legislation such as Loi No 89/019 du 29 décembre 1989 concerning non-profit associations and Loi No 2014/010 du 23 juillet 2014 regulating the activities of non-governmental organizations. Within this framework, the NKWANGTECH Foundation is working to address social welfare, education, and medical and health care needs.

There has been a notable increase in awareness regarding gender equality between men and women, in recent times. Economic development has led to improved educational levels for women, who are increasingly capable of independent thinking and decision making. This creates a favorable conditions for the Foundation’s work of motivating women to enhance their personal skills and pursue career opportunities or entrepreneurial ventures. The NKWANGTECH Foundation could bring in more female teachers into the field..

The rapid advancement of global digital technologiess intensified the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, underscoring the increasing demand for technical talent worldwide. This transformation creates opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge exchange. The NKWANGTECH Foundation can leverage modern technological tools to collaborate with international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and industry experts, in order to acquire valuable insights and learn from best practices to enhance the operational efficiency of the NKWANGTECH Foundation. Also, this would support individuals in pursuing STEM-related careers and improving their entrepreneurial capabilities. The NKWANGTECH Foundation benefits from the expertise of its team members, who provide essential guidance and training, and is committed to the continuous development of staff to stay aligned with changes in the industry.

The NKWANGTECH Foundation is guided by clear objectives and fosters a positive work environment. They welcome anyone who is passionate about technology and wish to contribute to helping others. This type of work environment inspires innovation and helps establish good staff relationships

Threats:

The NKWANGTECH Foundation faces challenges related to limited resources. Government funds and resources are scarce and insufficient to meet the needs of all non-governmental organizations. Economic instability also impacts investment decisions. To address this the foundation should work on building a diversified funding source. Collaborations with other non-profit organizations, educational institutions, technology companies, and similar entities can facilitate the mutually beneficial exchange of resources, experience, and expertise,

Another challenges is the limited operational and management experience. Established in 2020, short history and small scale of operations may affect service capacities and quality. They should offer relevant training and learning opportunities to staff, thereby enhancing their professional knowledge and skills and improving overall management. Additionally, establishing a clear internal management system, encompassing financial management, human resource management, and project management, is crucial for defining responsibilities and implementing processes effectively. Implementing a robust supervision mechanism, including regular internal audits, evaluations, and monitoring, will ensure compliance with regulations and facilitate the timely resolution of issues.

The relatively low technical education in Cameroon restricts the NKWANGTECH Foundation’s societal impact, hinders the rapid recruitment of skilled talent, and affects its credibility. To address this, the Foundation should focus on strengthening public relations and enhancing its visibility and image within society.

Although significant progress has been made in gender equality, the status of women is still comparatively low due to traditional concepts and social culture, which limit employment opportunities and impose constraints related to marriage and family responsibilities. Addressing these issues requires a gradual and sustained effort to effect change.

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Jun 18, 2024
AAE Mentor Guides Community Health Entrepreneur

By Carol Tagoe | AAE Volunteer

Starting a new business with promising potential poses numerous challenges for entrepreneurs. Without proper guidance, these challenges may hinder the growth of small businesses and impede local production progress.

AAE’s mentoring programme addresses this gap by providing invaluable support to small business owners who might otherwise lack access to the advice and guidance crucial for their success.

“I strongly recommend any aspiring African entrepreneurs to leverage the AAE platform to find a mentor. Even if just for providing guidance or being there to talk through problems, an outside voice can be of great help in determining how to approach problems,” remarks AAE Mentor Rutkay Alici, who began serving with AAE in January 2024.

“When I began work with AAE I was assigned to Ngengang Venceslas and a few other entrepreneurs. Ngengang is the founder of Alpha Omega Medical Services, a medical screening and treatment business started in mid-2023 in the Western Cameroon city of Limbe. I found it to be an incredible opportunity for me to provide value to one of Africa’s economic growth stories, helping contribute to improving the lives of the broader community.”

Drawing from his extensive experience as an Investment Banker at J.P. Morgan in London, Rutkay brings a wealth of knowledge in working with seasoned entrepreneurs. His firm grasp of the entrepreneurial process equips him to navigate the challenges and triumphs inherent in establishing and scaling businesses, making him well-suited for the mentoring role.

Alpha Omega Medical Services, a small startup with a big vision to provide medical diagnostic and healthcare services to undeserved populations. It is an inclusive Medical startup facility with priority mission to serve individuals with disabilities, women (both pregnant and non-pregnant), children, and the economically disadvantaged in Limbe, Cameroon.

Ngengang, a passionate social entrepreneur, is deeply committed to enhancing the health of his local community, particularly for vulnerable individuals lacking access to essential healthcare services. In his endeavor to elevate his business, amplify its impact, and expand its outreach, he enrolled in the mentoring programme and began collaborating with Rutkay.

Alpha Omega Medical Services obtained authorization to commence its health support operations in Cameroon in late October 2023, officially launching in November of the same year. Since then, they have been providing essential medical diagnostic services to the population, conducting laboratory tests for various patients and clients for disease screening, diagnosis, and follow-up. Additionally, they have been actively engaged in community sensitization and screening for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B and C.

The mentor-mentee collaboration has achieved several milestones during their weekly meetings, including:

Defining a clear company mission: to help improve the health of the local community.
Establishing a robust company culture focused on delivering excellent customer service and adhering to health and safety protocols.
Developing an improved bookkeeping system for managing cash inflows and outflows.
Enhancing the user interface and functionality of the enterprise’s website.
Initiating and promoting a crowdfunding campaign for a Hepatitis B and C testing project, aiming to test and vaccinate 1,000+ locals to prevent the spread of these diseases.
Stay tuned for more updates on their progress.

“I am appreciative of the AAE effort in putting out such an amazing platform to assist young entrepreneurs like myself. I have enjoyed every bit of this mentoring programme. My interaction with my mentor, Rutkay, has been commendable. He’s always available and has helped me make important decisions,” says Ngengang.

“The relationship has been extremely rewarding for both of us. We have built a strong bond based on trust and a shared goal of improving people’s lives,” adds Rutkay.

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Sep 23, 2023
Help Olawore transform fishing industry

By Diana Lomakina | Volunteer

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