J’ai rencontré de nombreux investisseurs qui disent presque mot pour mot :J’adore les entrepreneurs camerounais. Ils ont ce truc, cette capacité à construire, à présenter leur enterprise… mais je n’aime pas l’écosystème.
Oui, le Cameroun a ses problèmes — deux systèmes juridiques, fiscalité lourde, bureaucratie. Mais voici ce qu’on oublie souvent :
I can summarize the Ivorian ecosystem with the next:
- Des fondateurs tenaces
Refusant de se laisser ralentir par les difficultés locales, ils pensent au-delà des frontières. En Afrique francophone, ce sont souvent les plus ambitieux et les plus vocaux. - Marché bilingue (français/anglais) Un atout uncommon qui fait du Cameroun un pont naturel entre l’Afrique francophone et anglophone.
- Villes en pleine croissance Douala et Yaoundé accueillent de nouveaux accélérateurs comme ActivSpaces ou des hubs internationaux comme Orange Fab.
- Intégration régionale (CEMAC) Grâce à la BEAC, les systèmes de paiement SYGMA et SYSTAC facilitent les transactions régionales — essentiel pour les startups numériques ou transfrontalières.
- Investissements numériques public-privé En mars 2025, l’UE a versé 1,93 M€ through PRICNAC à 12 micro-projets au Cameroun (70 % locaux), avec la Banque Mondiale apportant 100 M$ through le Projet d’Accélération de la Transformation Numérique.
- Programme entrepreneurial régional (NOWEDIF) Depuis mars 2025, la région du Nord-Ouest bénéficie de 1 milliard FCFA pour soutenir 25 startups tech (financement en actions de 10 000 à 100 000 $ + mentorat + réseau).
- Infrastructure tech à Douala Douala Tech Park, lancé en octobre 2024 à l’Institut JFN, est soutenu par Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, Dassault Systèmes. Objectif : former 10 000 skills d’ici 2030 (IA, cybersécurité, huge knowledge, dev logiciel).
- Écosystème API en enlargement Depuis début 2024, MTN Cameroun et la startup Chenosis ont lancé un marché d’API pour développeurs, facilitant l’intégration pour PME et éditeurs de logiciels.
- Besoin d’une Startup Act Une enquête du Nkafu Coverage Institute montre que 98 % des fondateurs veulent une loi Startup Act pour résoudre les problèmes de financement et de réglementation — mais seulement 48 % en ont entendu parler.
- Momentum de Silicon Mountain (Buea)
Buea est en plein essor : Université de Buea (Google Developer Pupil Membership), incubateurs (ActivSpaces, SM Ventures), événements tech comme SMCon (500+ individuals/an).
Résumé Le Cameroun est un écosystème impolite mais bouillonnant. Ce n’est pas encore un écosystème “propre” ou “lisse”, mais il est plein d’énergie, de résilience, et de connexions régionales utiles. Si vous cherchez des fondateurs audacieux, une portée transfrontalière et une tech de terrain, le Cameroun est déjà en mouvement.
Conclusion Le paysage startup de l’Afrique francophone n’est pas homogène — c’est une mosaïque de résilience, de réformes et d’ambitions nouvelles. Qu’il s’agisse du dynamisme bilingue du Cameroun, ou du réveil stratégique de l’Algérie, chaque pays hint sa propre voie tout en redéfinissant discrètement l’innovation sur le continent.
Le changement est en marche : les écosystèmes longtemps perçus comme périphériques deviennent centraux dans l’avenir technologique de l’Afrique.
L’argent avisé ne se demande plus si l’Afrique francophone va émerger — il cherche remark entrer tôt… et y rester longtemps.
À dans deux semaines pour un aperçu d’autres pays.
-Lina
Revue des principaux titres
Bonjour👋,
Welcome to the second version of the The Subsequent Wave Francophone Africa e-newsletter the place we share the most important insider insights and evaluation of the area’s know-how panorama. This can be a bi-monthly e-newsletter, anticipate the following dispatch on July fifteenth. Join right here and be the primary to know.
This text is revealed in bilingual format: French adopted by English translation.
Let’s get into at present’s dispatch!
The Francophone African International locations Powering the Subsequent Startup Wave
We’re persevering with our dive into markets inside Francophone Africa. As we’ve mentioned earlier than, Francophone Africa isn’t behind, it’s on a special trajectory solely. What we didn’t point out is that one can divide it into 3 most important zones: Northern Africa, West Africa and Central Africa.
This type of “zoning” appears like colonialism as a result of it is extremely much like how France used to divide its lands in Africa.Sadly, this sort of separation nonetheless exists. However the excellent news is that there’s now extra teamwork each inside every zone and between totally different zones. A number of months in the past, I used to be on a panel at a convention the place companies from Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic had been sharing alternatives with one another.
Let’s get again to it: this time we’re taking a look at Algeria and Cameroon. We’re doing an outline of what makes these nations not simply promising, however strategically primed for startup progress.
Algeria: The Fennec Fox who listened and is now appearing
The nation’s nationwide mascot is the Fennec fox, an animal recognized for exceptionally massive ears relative to its physique dimension. Algeria could be described as such in terms of the Tech ecosystem. For some time, the nation appeared unusually quiet for its dimension—virtually closed off, as if it had been rigorously observing different African ecosystems and ready for the precise second to start out constructing its personal. Nevertheless, it has lately been opening up and able to entice each founders and buyers.
With government-led reforms, growing digital infrastructure, and an untapped younger expertise pool, Algeria presents a novel alternative for tech buyers searching for each progress potential and first-mover benefits (whats up there VaulFi).
Right here’s what we are able to get from Algeria proper now:
- Digital Infrastructure and Banking Modernization: as of Q1 2025, Algeria has made important progress in digital connectivity, significantly within the monetary sector. For the primary time, banks at the moment are interconnected, a growth that enhances the reliability, velocity, and safety of economic transactions throughout the nation.
- Authorities Reforms and Professional-Enterprise Insurance policies: Algeria’s authorities has launched authorized and institutional reforms geared toward bettering the funding local weather. Notably, the federal government is decreasing forms, providing tax incentives, and supporting startup incubators, significantly in tech hubs like Algiers and Oran.
- A rising openness to international possession in key sectors marks a big shift from earlier protectionist insurance policies, signaling a transparent intention to draw world capital and innovation whereas positioning Algeria as a gateway to each North Africa and the Sahel.
- Strategic Location and Market Entry: Positioned on the intersection of Europe, Africa, and the Center East, Algeria supplies strategic market entry to over 400 million shoppers. It has commerce agreements with the European Union, African nations by means of the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA), and Arab nations. This geographic and diplomatic positioning offers tech buyers a chance to construct regional platforms with Algeria as a hub.
- Rising Tech Ecosystem: Authorities-backed applications just like the Nationwide Startup Fund and incubators comparable to Algeria Enterprise are serving to native startups entry funding, mentorship, and visibility. Entrepreneurs are additionally launching ventures in fintech, e-commerce, edtech, agritech and well being tech.
- Ecosystem reforms & tax incentives: Earlier this 12 months Algeria climbed into Africa’s prime 20 nations for younger tech entrepreneurs and #2 on the continent. The federal government additionally launched sweeping fiscal aid—switch responsibility exemptions for incubators and “revolutionary” companies, together with a 2-year extensions on IRG/company tax waivers and R&D deductions underneath the 2025 Finance Act .
- Algeria Enterprise & Startup Fund affect: Since its 2020 launch, Algeria Enterprise has supported over 800 startups throughout fintech, healthtech, logistics, and renewable power . Complemented by the $411M nationwide Startup Fund and collaboration with the Algerian Funding Fund, the ecosystem is now attracting robust capital flows .
- AI-led progress & infrastructure build-out: State-owned Algérie Télécom has deployed an $11M AI funding fund and goals to create 20,000 startups, with AI contributing 7% of GDP by 2027 . They’ve additionally rolled out 265,000 km of fiber and 1,400+ new 4G websites, with one other 7,000 deliberate .
- Specialised sector funds within the pipeline: Minister Nourreddine Ouadah introduced spring 2025 plans for brand spanking new energy-focused funding funds (typical and renewables), collectively backed by the Islamic Improvement Financial institution, plus extensions in AI/ICT financing.
Conclusion: Algeria is lastly entering into the startup highlight with warning, but additionally with intention. The groundwork is being laid: coverage shifts, infrastructure upgrades, sector-specific funds, and indicators of long-term dedication from the federal government. The expertise is there, and the market potential is actual. Nonetheless, it is a younger ecosystem that’s evolving in actual time. For buyers and founders prepared to navigate some early-stage complexity, Algeria presents a uncommon likelihood to assist form, quite than simply be a part of—a rising North African tech hub.
Cameroon: Resilience Meets Reform
I’ve met numerous buyers stating virtually phrase for phrase: “I really like Cameroonian entrepreneurs, they’ve that “it”. They know tips on how to construct, push and current their enterprise – I simply don’t just like the ecosystem.” Sure, Cameroon has its points — twin authorized methods, tax burdens, crimson tape. However right here’s what folks miss:
- Rising city facilities: Douala and Yaoundé are dwelling to new accelerators like ActivSpaces and worldwide hubs like Orange Fab.
- CEMAC area: Regardless of the challenges, the BEAC (Financial institution of Central African States) has developed regional cost methods like SYGMA and SYSTAC, decreasing transaction prices and processing occasions, vital for startups working on-line or cross-border.
- Persistent founders who’ve refused the notion and realities of the harshness of their ecosystem sluggish them down. Inside Francophone Africa, they’re usually probably the most outspoken about constructing for greater than their nation. Their boldness can usually make them seen as founders from the neighboring nation to the West facet.
- Digital ecosystem: French and English give startups in Cameroon a pure bridge between Francophone and Anglophone Africa.
- Regional entrepreneurship applications: In March 2025, the EU contributed €1.93 million (≈ US $2.1 million) by means of the PRICNAC initiative to 12 micro-projects in Cameroon—70 % of which had been hosted regionally—geared toward bolstering digital analysis, innovation, and entrepreneurship alongside the World Financial institution’s $100 million Digital Transformation Acceleration Mission.
- New tech infrastructure in Douala: In October 2024, Douala Tech Park opened at JFN Hightech College Institute with assist from Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Dassault Systèmes. It goals to coach 10,000 skills by 2030 in AI, huge knowledge, cybersecurity, and software program engineering—marking a serious leap in native capability constructing.
- Rising API ecosystem: Since early 2024, MTN Cameroon has teamed up with fintech startup Chenosis to launch a developer API market. This permits seamless integration for SMEs and software program builders, fostering a extra collaborative digital financial system.
- Examine indicators want for a Startup Act: A Nkafu Coverage Institute/Foretia Basis survey of startup founders discovered that 98 % assist the adoption of a proper Cameroon Startup Act to handle financing gaps, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory difficulties, although consciousness stands at simply 48 %.
- Silicon Mountain’s momentum: Buea’s “Silicon Mountain” is dwelling to robust college communities (e.g., College of Buea’s Google Developer Pupil Membership), incubators like ActivSpaces and Silicon Mountain Ventures, and vibrant occasions just like the annual SMCon attracting 500+ individuals.
Abstract: Cameroon’s startup scene is gritty and stuffed with untapped potential. It’s a market of builders—resilient, multilingual, and more and more well-connected to regional alternatives. Infrastructure gaps and regulatory hurdles persist, however momentum is constructing from each the non-public and public sectors. For those who’re searching for polish, it’s not right here but. However if you happen to’re searching for daring founders, cross-border attain, and grassroots tech power—Cameroon is already in movement.
Conclusion: Francophone Africa’s startup panorama isn’t a monolith, it’s a mosaic of resilience, reform and rising ambition. Whether or not it’s the bilingual dynamism of Cameroon, or Algeria’s strategic awakening, every nation is charting its personal path whereas quietly rewriting the foundations of what innovation seems like on the continent. The shift is already underway: ecosystems as soon as seen as peripheral have gotten central to Africa’s tech future. The sensible cash isn’t asking if Francophone Africa will rise, it’s determining tips on how to get in early, and keep lengthy. See you in two weeks for an outline of different nations.
