Bridging the Gap: Persons with Disabilities Gain Business and Digital Skills in Centre Region 

Lékié Division, Centre Region, Cameroon 

As part of efforts to strengthen economic resilience among vulnerable populations, twenty-five beneficiaries including persons with disabilities and their caregivers have successfully completed a three-day intensive training in business and digital skills under the Wakka Inclusive Njangi Project, implemented by eBASE Africa with funding from CBM. The training, conducted in the Lékié Division of the Centre Region, marks a significant step in the project’s broader goal of empowering persons with disabilities to become more autonomous and less vulnerable through sustainable livelihood opportunities. 

The Wakka Inclusive Njangi Project is designed to strengthen the economic resilience of persons with disabilities and their families by increasing access to inclusive savings mechanisms, improving financial literacy, promoting the uptake of insurance as a protection tool, and supporting the development of viable income-generating activities.  

From Informal Survival to Structured Business Thinking 

The training commenced with a strong focus on business plan development, laying the foundation for participants to transition from informal, experience-based activities to more structured and sustainable enterprises. Some participants, already engaged in small-scale activities such as hairdressing, poultry farming, piggery, and shoe repair, shared their lived experiences, highlighting the limitations they faced due to the absence of structured business knowledge and financial constraints. 

Through guided sessions and interactive group exercises, participants explored key elements of business planning, including defining business goals, understanding market dynamics, analyzing costs, and assessing risks. The process enabled them to critically reflect on their current activities and identify opportunities for growth and improvement. By the end of the first day, each participant had developed a structured business plan using a simplified template, marking a clear shift from informal survival strategies to more intentional and goal-oriented business practices. 

A Digital Wake-Up Call: “Is AI a Person?” 

The second day of the training introduced participants to digital marketing, basic artificial intelligence tools, and storytelling, revealing both the potential for growth and the depth of the digital divide affecting many beneficiaries. Despite the increasing importance of digital tools in business, it became evident that access and familiarity were extremely limited. Out of the twenty-five participants, only seven owned mobile phones, just three used Facebook, and four were active on WhatsApp, while none had prior exposure to platforms such as TikTok. 

This gap was further illustrated during discussions on artificial intelligence, when one participant asked, “Is AI a person?” Jean Marie, a question that underscored the level of digital exclusion and the urgent need for inclusive digital capacity-building. 

Through practical, hands-on sessions, participants learned how to set up WhatsApp Business profiles, create Facebook pages, and use simple AI tools such as Meta AI to generate content and improve communication around their products and services. For participants with visual impairments, concerns around accessibility were also raised, highlighting the importance of assistive technologies and reinforcing the project’s commitment to inclusive digital solutions. 

The day also introduced the Tori Dey (storytelling) methodology, enabling participants to begin documenting and sharing their business journeys in their own voices. By the end of the session, participants had gained not only technical skills but also the confidence to present and promote their businesses, marking an important step toward increased visibility and market access. 

Understanding Money: “So This Is What Bookkeeping Means?” 

The final day focused on bookkeeping, financial management, and savings mechanisms, equipping participants with essential tools to sustain and grow their businesses. For many, this was their first structured introduction to managing finances, leading to moments of clarity and realization. 

“So, this is what bookkeeping means?” Merilyne Awono Nga remarked during the session, reflecting a broader shift in understanding among participants. 

Through practical exercises, participants learned how to record daily income and expenses, calculate profit accurately, and apply a structured savings allocation model to better manage their resources. The integration of Njangi principles and group savings systems further reinforced the importance of collective support, accountability, and financial discipline. These skills are particularly critical for households that are often exposed to economic and health-related shocks, enabling participants to move beyond day-to-day survival toward more stable and predictable financial management. 

Towards Autonomy and Reduced Vulnerability 

This is just a starting point, a subset of over 640 persons with disabilities and families we aim to support through the Wakka Inclusive Njangi Project. 25 Participants are now better equipped to plan and manage their businesses, access wider markets through digital tools, track and grow their income, and build savings that can cushion them against future shocks. As the project continues, with a target of training over one hundred beneficiaries across its intervention areas, its impact is expected to extend beyond individuals to entire households and communities.