National Competition of Mini-companies 2018 for Gabonese high-school students

June 2018 Gabon

On 11 June 2018, Tomorrow Foundation partnering with Junior Achievement Gabon incubator, the Presidency of the Republic of Gabon, and other organizations, has successfully organized the “2018 Mini-Enterprises” Business Competition in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. The competition was open to all high school students across the country, and consisted in choosing the best business proposal through several rounds of careful selection by a jury that was composed of business experts from all across the world.

Main objectives of the competition included: promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among the Gabonese youth, foster a positive attitude in the discovery and development of career aspirations for Gabonese students, help the Gabonese youth to develop their professional skills, and select the best team to represent Gabon in the regional competition to be held in Ghana later this year.

Twenty projects had been selected to enter the final round, and the top three business plans were awarded in the final showcase. The first prize of this year, with a value of one million Central African CFA francs, was awarded to Ambourouet Secondary School for its “JERI Enterprise” project. This mini-enterprise project plans to manufacture sunshades for cars made from recycled cardboard and African loincloth. The second prize was awarded to Mabignath High School for its “Mini-entreprise of Bracelets”, which aims to produce bracelets from recycled cans. Finally, the project “Innovative Saun”, proposed by another team from Ambourouet Secondary School, received the third prize; the project plans to make coffee tables from recycled tires.

The award ceremony was graced by the Minister in charge of Industry and National Entrepreneurship, Carmen Ndaot, who came to encourage Gabonese youth to embark on entrepreneurship. At her side, the Minister delegate to the Minister of Water and Forestry in charge of environment and sustainable development, Léa Mikala, the General Coordinator of BCPSGE, Liban Soleman, and the general secretary from the Ministry of SMEs also attended the award ceremony.

Other partners of the “2018 Mini-Enterprises” Business Competition include Citibank, Sobraga, AFJ Production, Jardigab, AXA, and Airtel.