Girls from various social centres were sensitised last Friday on funding opportunities.

Within the framework of the celebration of the Diversity and Inclusion, D&I Day, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private arm of the World Bank Group last Friday, March 30, in Akwa-Douala disclosed that it has put aside enough cash for young girls who present innovative projects.

The purpose of the fund is to help the foster the culture of self-employment and job creation which is already on the rise in Cameroon. During a workshop jointly organised by IFC and Advans Cameroun in collaboration with some social centres in Douala on the occasion of the Diversity and Inclusion Day, Olivier Nour Noel, Senior Investment Officer for IFC, told the young girls aged between 14 and 18 that it specifically recognises Diversity and Inclusion as a key factor of sustainable development. The programme seeks to assist the vulnerable in society with funding for projects as well as organising management training for small business owners.

One of the objectives, he said, is to maximise the potential of small businesses by training participants from social centres in sewing, hairdressing, painting, catering, home care, etc, to help grow the economy. “By funding microfinance institutions, we want to see many of them get involved in large projects like the Kribi Power Plant and the Lom Pangar Dam project, based on our belief that it is through the private sector that Cameroon can generate more employment,” the finance expert told Cameroon Tribune.

ADVANS, according to its General Manager, Frank Snieders, is promoting D&I through values, transparency, professionalism and equal opportunities for all. With staff strength of 320, 151 of Advans’ employees are women. Out of its 8,000 female clients, 3,500 have access to loans while 6,100 have savings accounts.