The Orientation Package for The Problem-Solvers' Competition (May 2010)
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In order to tap into the creativity of the next generation of Cameroonian professionals, the youth need to take control of their destiny with the help
of their predecessors. Harambe Cameroon believes it is critical to establish effective systems that support the development of entrepreneurial skills among this demographic. Understanding that Cameroon’s greatest resource is its people, and that 60% of its population is under 24 years of age, empowering the youth will go a long way to establish the economic security of the country.
In light of this conviction, Harambe Cameroon, through its Harambe Incubator – Cameroon Social
Entrepreneurship Program (HICSEP), seeks to provide a platform that will help foster entrepreneurial
skills among Cameroon’s youth. This Social Entrepreneurship Program would serve to train
Cameroonian talent and weed out the talent.
Pre-selected university students will sign-up in this program to gain the entrepreneurial skills that will
prepare them, not only for The Problem Solvers – 90 seconds to convince Competition, but more
importantly to equip them with the skills to think innovatively, act locally and connect globally.
i. Each workshop will be held on Wednesdays, from 5pm to 8pm; requiring a minimum time
commitment from both the professors and the students.
ii. Each workshop will be conducted by leaders in the specific fields, both from Cameroon and abroad.
iii. Each workshop will be televised by a local channel, in order to have a larger impact on the
Cameroonian community .
Expected Results: At the end of the Harambe Incubator Cameroon Social Entrepreneurship Program (HICSEP), Cameroonian students
would present innovative, sustainable, and locally-based solutions to pending problems in the environmental sector of Cameroon.
4 SESSIONS - 4 THEMES
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP / ENVIRONMENT/ BUSINESS COACHING / THE PROBLEM-SOLVERS COMPETITION
Venue: Muna Muna Foundation Date: Each of the 4 Wednesday in May – 5th
Global Warming has reached an alarming stage today. In Africa, food and water supplies are put at risk because of the rate of Global warming. Climate change also threaten vulnerable animal and plant species. It is thus important
to use long-term and renewable sources of energy to decelerate the speed of global warming. Renewable energies are Energies of the future. The sooner we create efficient alternative energies, the lesser the impact of climate change and scarcity of natural goods on the economy. Cameroon’s Potential in Alternative Energies Cameroon’s expanding market for electricity is expected to tremendously grow in the next 10 years due to an increase in the demand from industries and households. Given that Cameroon has the 2nd largest source of hydropower in Africa and that less than 0.1 % of its renewable energy is used, the country’s potential in the energy sector is abundant.
The advantage of receiving constant sunlight, as Cameroon is on the equator, provides vast potential of solar energy to contribute to domestic energy needs in Cameroon.
Rural Electrification of Cameroon The problem of rural electrification is a current challenge in Africa. It’s
an energy issue that has been addressed and recognized by African governments as a national concern. Cameroon is faced with efficiently carrying out its rural-electrification program. Rural residents continue to burn firewood for heat because there is no continuous electrical source. The panel will discuss ways to increase the means of production and access to affordable energy.
To further bring clean and cost effective energy systems to Africa’s rural areas using grid-connected and off-grid technologies, self contained systems, and end-use technologies. Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) Adopt Renewable Energies A recent study of the economy by Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics, demonstrated that the informal sector comprises 90% of the economy. This is note-worthy because more than three-quarters of the working force are in the informal sector and are dependent on the precarious national electricity company. With constant daily power-cuts,
industries and small companies in the informal sector such as Cyber cafes, auto mechanics, hair salons, are constantly working under unpredictable conditions. The unreliability of electricity slows down enterprises efficiency while retarding technological advances. It is therefore crucial for SMEs to adopt more reliable sources of energy, that are also more decentralized and cost-effective.