Impulsion

Faced with growing unemployment and insufficient salaried employment opportunities, FNE sought innovative ways to promote self-employment and business creation. In partnership with CRTV (Cameroon Radio Television), FNE designed IMPULSION as a large-scale educational tool combining public awareness and concrete support for entrepreneurs.

According to the FNE Director General, the initiative aims to be 'educational' while promoting self-employment and job creation through peer competition and transparent evaluation.

IMPULSION aims to:

• Promote self-employment and entrepreneurship as sustainable alternatives to unemployment;
• Raise public awareness about opportunities in different economic sectors;
• Finance business projects with high job creation potential;
• Valorize and reward entrepreneurial innovation and creativity;
• Create an entrepreneurship culture in Cameroon.

IMPULSION is open to:

• Individuals with innovative entrepreneurial projects;
• Organizations (GICs, associations) with high-potential projects;
• Start-up phase entrepreneurs seeking launch financing;
• Any Cameroonian wishing to develop a job-generating activity.

The program operates on a two-month cycle:

Month 1 — Educational phase
Broadcast on CRTV of expert discussions on a specific economic sector, with reports on existing successful initiatives. Public awareness raising about sector opportunities.

Month 2 — Competition phase
A jury evaluates and selects the winning project from received applications.

6-phase selection process:
1. Initial screening: ~100 submissions reduced to 20 applications;
2. Expert committee (FNE, agriculture, ministries, civil society): reduction to 6 finalists;
3. Field verification by experts via site visits;
4. Reduction to 3 final candidates;
5. Television reports on the 3 final candidates;
6. Live jury evaluation to designate the winner on air.

Application submission:
Download submission forms from FNE website, send by email or physical deposit at FNE agencies.

Winners receive repayable loans of up to 3,000,000 FCFA, provided in the form of:

• Equipment and materials;
• Operating supplies;
• Working capital.

Loan conditions:

• Interest rate: 6%
• Grace period: 11 months
• Repayment schedule: 3 years

FNE support and evaluation services are free for all candidates.

For winners:

• Concrete project financing (up to 3,000,000 FCFA);
• National visibility through CRTV broadcast;
• Enhanced credibility with financial partners;
• FNE support in launching the activity.

For non-selected candidates:

• Beneficial media exposure;
• Expert jury feedback;
• Contact network with other entrepreneurs.

For society:

• Creation of direct and indirect jobs;
• Promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship;
• Development of strategic economic sectors.