In the heart of Cameroon, Vannie Djounguep is rewriting the narrative of gender equality, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. As an author, gender expert, sociologist, and entrepreneur, she is not just breaking barriers – she is building pathways for others to rise. Vannie’s journey has been anything but easy. Like many entrepreneurs in Cameroon, she faced the crushing weight of heavy taxation, a hurdle that strained her finances and stifled the growth of her business.
Realizing that many others shared the same struggle, she pivoted – founding an association focused on gender equality and environmental protection, creating a cost-effective and sustainable way to drive impact. The challenges of entrepreneurship in Cameroon are well-documented. While the government aims to foster a business-friendly environment, taxation remains a major obstacle, forcing many into the informal sector, which absorbs over 90% of the country’s workforce. But beyond economic barriers, being a woman in business presents its own unique challenges. Vannie has experienced gender biases and stereotypes, influencing how she is perceived and treated in professional spaces. Yet, she refuses to be defined by limitations.
Instead, she draws strength from supportive friends and the unwavering encouragement of her mother, who instilled in her the belief that persistence and conviction are the keys to success. Armed with this mindset, Vannie has become a champion for women in the informal sector, ensuring they have the resources, knowledge, and opportunities to build thriving businesses. Vannie’s commitment to empowering women led her to the UNITAR Advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment 2023 Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training Programme, a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Government of Canada. For her, this was more than just a training – it was a dream come true.
Having previously applied for a similar programme without success, she was determined to seize this opportunity. She faced initial challenges navigating digital learning tools, but rather than being discouraged, she embraced the challenge, improving her IT skills and absorbing valuable lessons on financial literacy and business strategy. One of her biggest takeaways was the importance of financial literacy – an area often overlooked yet critical to entrepreneurial success. She learned about investors, funding opportunities, and financial decision-making, all of which she now shares with women entrepreneurs in Cameroon, ensuring they gain the knowledge needed to grow their businesses sustainably.
She is also a strong advocate for environmental sustainability, particularly through biochar cocoa production. This innovative process recycles cocoa pod shells through pyrolysis, producing biochar, a substance with immense potential to tackle climate change, improve soil health, and create economic opportunities for farmers. Determined to turn knowledge into action, Vannie envisions establishing a biochar cocoa firm, combining her passion for business, environmental conservation, and social impact. Through this venture, she hopes to reduce poverty, drive sustainable agricultural practices, and contribute to global climate action.
