SNK Foundation Equips Buea Youths With AI Skills to Boost Businesses

Sixteen youths in Buea, capital of Cameroon’s South West Region, have acquired artificial intelligence (AI) skills designed to enhance their businesses and create new career opportunities.

This was during a three-day workshop held in Buea from July 1–3, dubbed the SNKai Challenge 2025.

The event was organized by SNK Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to driving integrated development in fragile and underprivileged communities.

Participants from diverse fields, including agriculture, health, and robotics, were trained on how to leverage AI to transform their businesses, innovate within their sectors, and invest in their personal and professional growth.

Speaking at the event, SNK Foundation representative, Anavai Marianne, underscored the importance of empowering young people with the tools of tomorrow.

“Youth are the future, the creators and inventors of tomorrow,” she said.

“It’s so important to give them the opportunity to hold the keys to make the change and invest in their future because they are the creators of tomorrow. The SNK AI challenge is important because we need them to understand the impact and the importance of artificial intelligence in the new world.”

Marianne revealed that demand for the training was high, but space was limited.

“It’s the first step. So many youths wanted to take part in this training. Unfortunately, there was a restriction in the number of persons we were able to train,” she added, promising a bigger impact in future editions.

Youths Inspired and Transformed

For many participants, it was their first exposure to artificial intelligence, and the experience proved transformative.

“Over the past three days, we’ve been part of something truly powerful,” said Elvis Ojong, reading a thank-you speech on behalf of the trainees.

“What started as curiosity has now become confidence. Many of us came in with little or no knowledge about artificial intelligence. But through this challenge, we’ve been exposed to what AI is, the different types, and, more importantly, how we can use it in real, practical ways,” he explained.

Using the ACTIF method, Ojong said they learned to apply AI in designing flyers, creating animations, and experimenting with audio and visual effects.

“For most of us, it was our first time generating creative content using these tools, and it felt like we had stepped into the future. But what made this experience truly special wasn’t just the skills we gained—it was the mindset shift. We now see AI not as something distant or too technical but as a tool we can understand and use as young Africans, as creatives, and as problem solvers,” he noted.

A New Way of Learning

One of the trainers, Essana Mekongo Pierrette, a law lecturer at the University of Yaoundé II, emphasized the flexibility of AI-assisted learning.

“This kind of knowledge is very different from traditional education, where there’s a classic programme, timetable, and a time when the year starts and ends,” she said.

“But with AI-assisted learning, you can learn at whatever time you want—even at night,” Pierrette added.

A Vision for 100 Youths

The SNKai Challenge aims to train 100 youths across Cameroon, with sessions planned in Buea, Douala, Bafoussam, and Yaoundé.

As AI remains a developing field in Cameroon, more young people are expressing interest in understanding and applying this technology to local problems and opportunities.