YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP : Nestlé Cameroon Announces a 70 Million FCFA Investment to Boost Its Nescafé Vendors
La voix des entreprises 
(LVDE) — On the occasion of the launch of the 2026 edition of “My Own Business,” Nestlé Cameroon is scaling up its efforts to empower micro-entrepreneurs built around the NESCAFÉ brand, with the dual objective of accelerating growth and creating new professional opportunities for young people.
Douala and Yaoundé came alive in early February during the official kickoff of the “My Own Business” (MYOWBU) program, an initiative by Nestlé Cameroon driven through its Nestlé Professional division. More than just a commercial workshop, the event—held under the theme “Win More Every Day”—evolved into a platform for exchange and inspiration for more than seventy young people involved in the distribution and sale of NESCAFÉ products. The ambition is clear: enhance performance, build new skills, and align participants with ambitious 2026 growth targets, including a 25% increase in turnover from the first quarter.
At the Bonabéri production site, discussions focused on recognizing top performers. Kitchen operators and mobile vendors were rewarded for their achievements, highlighting field commitment and their ability to drive business expansion. These exchanges also underscored the importance of structured support: comprehensive training sessions were delivered, covering in-depth product knowledge, food hygiene standards, health and safety requirements, as well as sound business management practices and entrepreneurial mindset development. This educational component reflects a broader vision—to transform participants into fully autonomous economic actors capable of managing and growing their own enterprises.
Beyond training, Nestlé plans to acquire 41 new commercial carts and branded stands, representing an investment of approximately 70 million FCFA. The objective is to strengthen vendor mobility and expand product coverage nationwide. This strategy also includes broadening the network by increasing the number of kitchen operators and scaling up the number of mobile vendors to meet rising demand.
Virgil Fendzi, Business Manager for Nestlé Professional in the Tropical Cluster, emphasized that MYOWBU is not a new initiative. Launched more than a decade ago in Cameroon and across Central Africa, the program has already enabled hundreds of young people to build sustainable livelihoods around the sale of coffee and other hot beverages, providing them with tools, mentorship, and structured guidance.
Testimonials gathered during the event reflect this tangible impact. Chrystèle Ndangue Esso, a kitchen operator for nearly two decades, explained how the initiative transformed her life, allowing her to mentor hundreds of young people, support their education, and help them achieve genuine independence. For Souleymane Diawara, originally from Guinea, MYOWBU became a springboard into entrepreneurship, leading him to manage several kitchens today and generate significant monthly revenue.
Beyond the financial dimension, these stories highlight the broader social impact of such initiatives: offering unemployed youth a pathway to self-reliance, value creation, and active participation in the local economy. At a time when youth employment remains a pressing challenge, Nestlé Cameroon’s commitment through MYOWBU stands out as a concrete and sustainable response—turning a cup of coffee into a genuine opportunity for the future.
Esther Grace
À propos de l'auteur
