The North West region of Cameroon witnessed an extraordinary display of creativity and resilience as young innovators converged in Bamenda for the Regional Youth Innovation Challenge, held from January 7–9, 2026. Organised by Global Health Systems Solutions (GHSS) under the Education and Economic Empowerment Project (EEE-P) and funded by the MasterCard Foundation, the event was a resounding success, following earlier editions in Buea, Douala, and Bafoussam.
For three days, Bamenda became a hub of ingenuity, where young entrepreneurs showcased groundbreaking ideas across five categories:
Agri-business and Agri-Tech
Digital and Smart Technologies
Green Economy, Energy, and Environment
Creative Economy and Social Impact
Health, Nutrition, and Wellbeing
Business experts, regional officials, and a distinguished jury toured the exhibition stands, engaging directly with participants as they explained their innovations. After the stands were visited, participants pitched their projects before the jury, from which winners were selected across the various categories. Regional officials promised to support the North West coordinator and hope to see more participants supported. Beyond the competition, the challenge provided valuable mentorship, networking opportunities, and investor connections. Financial experts also educated participants on safeguarding and effectively managing their business finances.
Winners Who Shone Bright
The event culminated in the recognition of outstanding talents, with winners receiving cash prizes ranging from 500,000 FCFA to 5,000,000 FCFA to scale their ventures.
The laureates included:
Chu Ngong Desmond – Digital and Smart Technologies
Nchadze Mari-Noel Nyuyfoni – Health, Nutrition, and Wellbeing
Ngong Derrick Afumbom – Agri-Business and Agri-Tech
Tah Benice Mah – Green Economy, Energy, and Environment
Tosi Jones Nkwain – Digital and Smart Technologies / Health and Wellbeing
Yong Edicson-Nyanga Fabrice – Digital and Smart Technologies
While these winners stood out, seven promising participants who did not win received mini-grants (EST), as GHSS reaffirmed support for guiding innovative ideas across the EEEP framework
Lessons Beyond Innovation
Participants were trained on critical entrepreneurial skills: pitching, seizing opportunities, building resilience, scaling businesses, and securing funds. They were reminded that true innovation goes beyond profit—it must solve community problems and create lasting impact.
Dr Elvis Amin, the Project Coordinator, reminded participants that they are all winners, owing to the experience and business ideas acquired during the event. He
entreated the winners to make judicious use of the support received, as such opportunities are rare.
Recognition of Excellence
The Bamenda edition not only celebrated youth innovation but also highlighted GHSS’s transformative role in community empowerment. Over 1,400 individuals have already benefited from GHSS initiatives in Bamenda, a testament to the organisation’s far-reaching impact.
In recognition of this success, GHSS received two prestigious accolades:
Mah O. Tarke-Anoh, North West Regional Coordinator of the EEE-P, was honoured for Excellence, Exemplary Leadership, and Resilience in Advancing Youth Empowerment.
Prof. Patrick A. Njukeng, PhD, Executive Director of GHSS, was awarded for Strategic Leadership and Advocacy in promoting youth empowerment in Cameroon.
The EEEP teams’ outstanding works in the North West Region in general, and Bamenda in particular, stand as a powerful testament to vision, commitment, and teamwork — bringing pride and honour not only to GHSS but also to the entire region.
