Accra, Ghana & Yaoundé, Cameroon – May–June 2025 – In a major push to strengthen vocational education in entrepreneurship, two intensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programs took place in West and Central Africa, bringing together trainers, entrepreneurs, and experts from Europe and Africa. The first training ran from May 5 to 9 in Accra, Ghana, and the second from June 9 to 13 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, fostering collaboration, innovation, and practical skills for the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

The trainings aimed to empower vocational trainers to integrate entrepreneurship into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, aligning education with real market needs and giving students the tools to build sustainable businesses.

Building Entrepreneurial Skills Across Borders

Participants explored a wide range of topics essential for modern entrepreneurship education, including business model creation and validation, marketing and financial strategies, incubator and mentorship setup, and microfinance opportunities for startups. The programs also emphasized sustainability, digital transformation, and international collaboration, equipping trainers with both theoretical frameworks and practical tools.

The initiative brought together leading experts and facilitators from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), CEA-PME, Mundus, APODISSI, and BVMW, alongside local entrepreneurs, business managers, and former students from Ghana and Cameroon. This mix of international expertise and local experience ensured that the trainings were both globally informed and locally relevant.

Digital Tools and Lifelong Learning

A key feature of both programs was the introduction of the Smart Step Online Platform, a digital tool designed to support ongoing entrepreneurial learning, mentoring, and collaboration. Trainers gained hands-on experience with the platform, preparing them to continue guiding their students beyond the classroom.

Impact and Future Outlook

The two programs represent more than short-term trainings—they are strategic steps toward long-term impact in African vocational education. By equipping trainers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to foster entrepreneurship, the project is helping create an ecosystem where vocational students can transform ideas into viable businesses, respond to local market demands, and explore international opportunities.

Graduation ceremonies, field visits, and cultural exchanges in both Accra and Yaoundé celebrated the knowledge sharing and partnerships built during the programs, signaling the start of a lasting collaborative network across Africa and Europe.

This initiative marks a milestone in vocational education, highlighting how targeted capacity-building programs can empower educators to shape the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.