One of our newest Sinapis Network Partners, CBMC Africa, launched its first classes in Yaounde, Cameroon on January 27, 2024.

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Why Cameroon?

Cameroon is a sprawling, forested country with abundant natural resources and a population of more than 28 million people. Despite economic strides, over half the population lives in poverty, with 37% of the population living in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank. Recognizing entrepreneurship as a remedy to joblessness, the government has embraced this avenue for growth.

A growing community of Christian Cameroonian business leaders sees the training and empowerment of local entrepreneurs as pivotal in bringing hope and prosperity to their nation.

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Who is CBMC?

You may be familiar with CBMC International, which was founded in 1930 to connect business and the marketplace to Christ. CBMC’s African arm, CBMC Africa, serves business leaders in Cameroon and in 27 other African nations. Their established network of business men and women shares a passion for impacting the global marketplace through their lives as Christ followers.

Our partnership with CBMC in Cameroon extends beyond access to our curriculum, toolkits, systems, and experts. It fosters collaboration among our 10 other Sinapis Network partners, culminating with events like FORGE, a conference Sinapis co-founded focused on Christian entrepreneurship ecosystem builders in frontier and emerging markets.

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What Sinapis training will CBMC initially offer?

Under the leadership of Kingsly Jini, CBMC will begin with Sinapis’ Aspire Launchpad curriculum for idea- and early-stage entrepreneurs. Aspire, a dynamic, discussion-based course, guides entrepreneurs to refine their business ideas, identify their ideal customers, build a business model, understand the financials, and plan for growth — all while integrating their faith into the business journey.

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“If we can build strong entrepreneurs, we will have people who can fund the ministry in Africa. We want to start by growing great businesses in the churches and communities—build the financial backbone of the church through all of the principles and values that we will be teaching through the Sinapis program. Building strong entrepreneurs is building strong churches and also building a strong economy.” - Kingsly Jini, CBMC Africa 

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Interview with Kingsly Jini

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We interviewed Kingsly Jini to better understand the business landscape in Cameroon, the need for faith-driven entrepreneurship, and why he believes Sinapis will benefit the nation. Kingsly is the driving force behind CBMC's work in Cameroon. He has an entrepreneurial background spanning 12 years in microfinance and has launched businesses in both the telecom and water sectors. 

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Kingsly, what challenges are unique to entrepreneurs in Cameroon? 

Kingsly: There are formidable challenges for entrepreneurs in Cameroon. Most people talk about capital. I don't see capital as a challenge—I’ve always encouraged starting small and getting support from your inner circle. 

However, there is a reluctance in society toward entrepreneurship, so when most people start out [as entrepreneurs], they don’t get support. They don't have people to talk to. Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. They need to actively foster support networks.

There are also complex taxation policies. What is written is not always what is practiced, so it can be difficult to navigate. ‍

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What drew you to partner with Sinapis?

Kingsly: In Cameroon, faith plays a central role. There are a number of courses on entrepreneurship, but Sinapis stands out as a guiding light for faith-based entrepreneurship. Christians must courageously venture into the business arena, dispelling previous misconceptions. 

The resources offered by Sinapis are particularly well-suited to the Cameroonian landscape, aligning seamlessly with CBMC Africa’s mission to empower entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.

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What are some of the challenges Cameroon faces?

Kingsly: If you want to look at the corruption index in Cameroon, it is one of the highest when it comes to corrupt nations. It exists in all forms. Going through the Sinapis Aspire program, I can see simple and practical ways to avoid corruption which will be good for participants. 

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What types of businesses are common? 

Kingsly: Agriculture, tourism, and crafts. We are trying to identify small businesses that are scalable to bring them in as participants. The class is going to help those in the agriculture sector to leave the raw material stage and start transforming some of their products. It’s going to help those in the tourism sector to do business better. It’s going to help those in the construction sector be able to structure their businesses in a way that is more pleasing to God and is also scalable. It’s a great plus for the Cameroonian economy. It might not be seen now, but as we start and move forward, the impact will be felt at a national level, I believe.

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Why do you keep saying scaleable?

Kingsly: Many entrepreneurs set up businesses for survival. I want to see more businesses recruiting others who are working for those businesses and earning income and able to take care of their families. We should not just create businesses for our stomachs, but we should create businesses that can grow and multiply and employ others to come in. Some of the big businesses that we see today started just like some of the small businesses we have today, and they are able to employ thousands of people. So looking at that, I pray that I will be able to see businesses springing out from this training that can grow. 

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You’ve mentioned technology being important. Why?

Kingsly: If you are growing a business that does not involve technology, that business is bound to fail. I am sorry to say that. So we encourage most entrepreneurs to embrace technology. To sell their products online. To have websites that people can easily access. To have basic skills in social media marketing so people know about their products. Having a product without having people know about it is useless. With today’s technology, you can stay in Africa and advertise your product to other countries and continents. 

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CBMC is an all-volunteer mission, which could bring some challenges. What’s your view of that?

Kingsly: We’ve always done our work as though we are being paid, not as if we are doing it as volunteers because we know if we are not paid in financial things, we have a reward that awaits us at the end. So we don't do our work as though we are waiting for somebody to pay us, we do our work because it's going to change lives, it’s going to change perspectives. 

However, there are still costs to running the ministry. At CBMC Africa, as of now, most of our funding comes from the West. If we can build strong entrepreneurs, we will have people who can fund the ministry in Africa. We want to start by growing great businesses in the churches that are within CBMC and then those that are in [other] churches and also in the communities—build the financial backbone of the church through all of the principles and values that we will be teaching through the Sinapis program. Building strong entrepreneurs is building strong churches and also building a strong economy.  

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Is there anything the Lord has put on your heart regarding Cameroon and entrepreneurship?

Kingsly: One thing that keeps popping up is the aspect of servant leadership. I just like to serve people. Specifically for me, I believe that servant leadership is what pays. I’ve been giving myself up to the duties of my Father in heaven, and He has been taking care of my own businesses… And I would encourage people to be servant leaders. Learn to serve others. Learn to be at the assistance of another person to help them grow. I believe in fostering a collaborative environment that contributes to the collective growth of fellow entrepreneurs.

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To learn more about our partnerships and international network, email Sylvie Somerville at ssomerville@sinapis.org.