On September 11,2024 ,a check-handing ceremony for the first beneficiaries took place in Obala (Center region) , chaired by the Minister of of Economy Alamine Ousmane Mey and attended by the French Ambassador Thierry Marchand.This project is part of the Cameroon -France Cooperation agreement's third phase "Debt Relief and Development Contract " , focusing on the Intergrated program for valorising and transforming agricultural and agro-food products . These projects, including 26 led by women , were supported under the Initiative Associations framework, which aims to promote rural entrepreneurship by providing financial and technical opportunities to small and medium-sized cameroonian enterprises .The Associations initiative , contributes to a broder socio-economic development strategy, developed to creat jobs , ensure the sustainability of product units , enhance food security and promote gender equality.The initiative provides double support to local entrepreneurs : technical assistance to wrap up business plans and secure funding and help help through honor loans . These loans , which require no collateral and have no-interest ,can go up to cfa 7million with a reimbursement period of up to five years and a one-year grace period,as stated by the Ministry of Economy. As of now, Cameroon has only two operational initiative associations situated in Obala and Bafoussam.This 16-million euro project seek to foster sustainable employment, drive inclusive growth and enhance food security from 2024 -2026.These associations represent a new approach by France to support Cameroon's socio-economic development efforts.