CAMEROON : Fintech I-Clan Crowned Best African Woman Entrepreneur at SUFAWE 2026
La voix des entreprises 
(LVDE) — Innovative Clan (I-Clan), a Cameroonian fintech led by Joëlle Ako, was awarded the SUFAWE 2026 Trophy in Douala. The start-up was recognized for its innovative solution digitalizing payments in the education sector, during the fourth multisector mission of the Stand Up for African Women Entrepreneurs (SUFAWE) program, which brought together over 200 women entrepreneurs from the CEMAC region.
On February 26–27, 2026, the city of Douala buzzed with innovation and female entrepreneurship during the fourth edition of the SUFAWE multisector mission, organized by the Africa Development Club of the Attijariwafa Bank Group in partnership with SCB Cameroon. At the heart of the event, more than 200 leaders and entrepreneurs from six CEMAC countries participated in workshops, panels, and B2B meetings under the theme: “Connect, Trade, Grow.”
It was in this context that the Cameroonian start-up Innovative Clan (I-Clan) won the SUFAWE 2026 Trophy. Founded in 2018 by software engineer Joëlle Ako and several graduates from the University of Buea, I-Clan offers a digital platform that simplifies and secures payments for tuition fees, exams, and other educational services. The solution enables parents to make payments via mobile devices, including offline, thereby improving access to education in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
The trophy ceremony was one of the highlights of the mission, which also provided a platform to share best practices and inspiring experiences of African women entrepreneurs. Among them were Naomi Mbakam, founder of Leelou Baby Foods and winner of the 2024 Pierre Castel Prize; Rachel Dibou, CEO of AS Building (SUFAWE Congo 2025 winner); and Laetitia Ngalibika, CEO of Gabon24, who shared their journeys and advice on building sustainable businesses across the continent.
Beyond awards, the event fostered tangible economic opportunities. Over 100 B2B meetings were organized in strategic sectors such as agribusiness, logistics, energy, and digital transformation, with a focus on access to finance and capacity building for women entrepreneurs. The launch of the SUFAWE 2026 mentorship program was also announced, aiming to support participants in enhancing managerial, strategic, and financial skills.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy, the event received strong institutional support. Samuel Ivaha Diboua, Governor of the Littoral region, highlighted the importance of networking and experience sharing for building an inclusive economy. Nabil Kadiri, CEO of SCB Cameroon, emphasized the need for strengthened banking support for women entrepreneurs, who are key drivers of value creation. Mouna Kadiri, representing Attijariwafa Bank Group, praised the growing impact of SUFAWE, which since its inception in 2019 has gathered over 24,000 participants from 42 countries and facilitated thousands of business connections across Africa.
With its SUFAWE 2026 Trophy, I-Clan exemplifies the rising role of Cameroonian start-ups in the continent’s digital transformation and highlights the importance of pan-African initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs in their strategic and economic development. Tressy Chouente
À propos de l'auteur
