First edition of The Okwelians Summit: an unprecedented mobilisation to pave the way for sustainable Cameroon

The inaugural edition of The Okwelians Summit was held from March 19 to 21, 2025, in Yaoundé. Organized by the Think Do Tank The Okwelians, the event achieved nearly 200% participation, with over 300 attendees from more than 20 nationalities. Participants included representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society, and around ten development partners. The aim was to catalyze a collective momentum toward the sustainable transformation of Cameroon’s economy.

Discussions emphasized the need to rethink both collaboration frameworks among stakeholders and economic models — by systematically integrating sustainability into every stage of economic transformation and paying special attention to valuing indigenous knowledge, supporting vulnerable populations, and preserving ecosystems.

The summit also stressed the importance of aligning local industrialization with export strategies and economic diplomacy. A “Green Paper” will be published to formalize the key strategic directions discussed.

In addition to the participation of around twenty start-ups and significant representation of women and youth, the event attracted coverage from over forty media outlets,

reflecting strong national and international interest. All major government departments were represented, and four cabinet ministers actively took part in the discussions.

In total, nearly 40 partners and sponsors supported the event.

The summit concluded with three major commitments:

- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Eurocham and the Francophone Employers' Group (GPF).

- Signing of a MoU between the Cameroon Industrialists’ Union (SYNDUSTRICAM) and Huawei.

- Signing of a MoU between The Okwelians and the National Council of Traditional Chiefs.

Jacques Jonathan Nyemb, President of The Okwelians, stated: “Sustainability is no longer optional — it is a pressing necessity to build a prosperous and truly inclusive economy. This summit is a proof-by-example that co-construction among all segments of society is the only way to realize this ambition.”

Building on this success, The Okwelians is committed to turning these pledges into concrete actions for Cameroon’s sustainable transformation, ahead of the next edition of The Okwelians Summit, scheduled for March 17, 18, and 19, 2027.