Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

"Empowering IDPs: Drive for Change provides cars to skilled internally displaced persons who have to teach the driving skill to another before being approved, repay the cost before full ownership and pass on the opportunity for community growth."

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

1. Mission and Vision: - Mission: Provide transportation and create employment opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) through taxi services. - Vision: Empower IDPs with driving skills and sustainable income while expanding the reach of the service to other communities. 2. Target Market: - Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in need of employment opportunities. - Unskilled individuals looking to acquire driving skills and earn a livelihood. 3. Revenue Streams: - Taxi fares: Charge standard rates for taxi services provided to customers, including IDPs and the general public. - Training fees: Charge a nominal fee for providing driving training to unskilled individuals. 4. Key Activities: - Procure taxis: Acquire the initial set of taxis to kickstart the service. - Driver training: Train IDPs in driving skills and traffic regulations, enabling them to become licensed drivers. - Taxi operations: Manage the day-to-day operations of taxis.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Problem/Opportunity Statement: Many cities in our country have experienced political unrest and crisis, leading to large influxes of internally displaced persons (IDPs) migrating to the capital city. These IDPs often face significant barriers to finding employment in the capital, exacerbating unemployment and economic hardship. However, this migration has also created a unique opportunity. Many of these IDPs have prior experience as taxi or rideshare drivers in their home cities. By leveraging this existing skillset, we can develop a "parallel employment" program that provides IDPs access to underutilized taxis in the capital, giving them a flexible, independent means of earning income. This program would not only address the immediate economic needs of IDPs, but also increase the availability of taxis in the capital

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. Empowering the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Providing cars to IDPs and training them to become taxi drivers offers them a valuable skill set and a source of income, empowering them to gain financial independence and rebuild their lives after displacement. 2. **Community Skill Development**: By requiring the IDPs to teach other community members how to drive before obtaining ownership of the taxis, this business idea promotes skill transfer within the community. This not only enables more individuals to enter the workforce as professional drivers but also fosters a sense of solidarity and cooperation among community members. 3. **Economic Sustainability**: The repayment model ensures that the business is economically sustainable in the long run. As the initial investment is recouped from the IDPs over time, the funds can be reinvested to purchase new sets of taxis, creating a continuous cycle of empowerment for more individuals in need.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The most accurate targets and beneficiaries for a business idea like this would typically include: 1. **Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)**: The primary beneficiaries would be IDPs who have been displaced from their homes due to conflict, natural disasters, or other crises. Providing them with the opportunity to learn a valuable skill, such as driving, and access to a sustainable source of income through taxi ownership can significantly improve their livelihoods and help them rebuild their lives. 2. **Community Members in Need of Transportation Services**: By training IDPs to become taxi drivers and providing transportation services to the community, this business idea benefits all local residents who require safe and reliable transportation. It addresses the transportation needs of the community while also creating employment opportunities for IDPs. 3. **Local Community Organizations and Development Agencies**: Local community organizations and development agencies.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-09-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Lylian Epair: - communicative skills - leadership skills - managerial skills - language skills - team work

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.facebook.com/clinton.nkelemewanu?mibextid=kFxxJD

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

e) Secondary commodities (cars and parts, consumer durables and apparel, retail)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

1. **Income Generation**: By providing internally displaced persons (IDPs) with the opportunity to learn driving skills and own taxis, the business idea creates a sustainable source of income for them. This helps in lifting them out of poverty by giving them a means to support themselves and their families. 2. **Empowerment and Skill Development**: Teaching IDPs the skill of driving empowers them to become self-sufficient and enhances their employability in the transportation sector. As they gain experience and generate income through taxi ownership, they can improve their economic situation and break the cycle of poverty. 3. **Financial Inclusion**: Requiring IDPs to repay the money spent on the taxis fosters a culture of financial responsibility and inclusion. It teaches them money management skills and the importance of repaying debts, which can contribute to their financial stability and resilience. 4. Sustainable Business Model: By reinvesting the repayments into purchasing.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Income Generation for Food Security**: By providing IDPs with the opportunity to generate income through taxi ownership, the business idea can help improve their economic status. With increased income, individuals are better able to provide for their basic needs, including access to food. This financial security can help reduce the risk of hunger and food insecurity among participants and their families. 2. **Community Food Security**: As more IDPs become skilled drivers and entrepreneurs through this program, the economic empowerment within the community can lead to improved food security at the local level. With increased economic opportunities, community members are better positioned to access nutritious food and support local food systems.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Nope

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

1. **Skill Development and Training**: By requiring the internally displaced persons to teach others the skill of driving before gaining full ownership of the taxis, the initiative promotes knowledge-sharing and capacity building within the community. This hands-on training not only enhances the vocational skills of the participants but also encourages a culture of learning and mentorship. This aspect aligns with the SDG's emphasis on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all. 2. **Empowerment through Education**: Education is not limited to formal schooling; it also encompasses practical skills training and lifelong learning opportunities. By providing the IDPs with the opportunity to acquire a marketable skill such as driving, the initiative empowers them to become self-sufficient and gain access to economic opportunities. This empowerment through skill development is a key component of quality education as it equips individuals with the tools needed to thrive.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

1. **Decent Work**: By providing cars to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and training them to become taxi drivers, you are not only offering them a source of income but also empowering them with a skill that can lead to stable employment opportunities. This initiative promotes decent work by enabling these individuals to earn a living and support themselves and their families. 2. **Economic Growth**: This business idea contributes to economic growth in several ways. First, it fosters entrepreneurship and financial inclusion among marginalized communities, which can lead to overall economic development. Second, by providing transportation services, it can enhance mobility and connectivity within the community, leading to increased economic activities. Moreover, the repayment model ensures sustainability by recycling the funds for purchasing more taxis, thereby creating a cycle of economic empowerment for multiple individuals. 3. **Skill Development

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

3

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

1. **Empowerment 2. **Promotion of Social Entrepreneurship* 3. **Community Building and Collaboration** 4. **Sustainable Business Model* 5. **Innovation in Economic Development**: In summary, this business idea stands out as innovative for a community by integrating elements of skill transfer, social entrepreneurship, community building, sustainability, and holistic economic development. It not only provides a unique approach to empowering IDPs but also sets the stage for long-term positive impact and growth within the community.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

1. **Traditional Driving Schools* 2. **Microfinance Institutions* 3. **Car Sharing or Ride-Hailing Services**: Companies like Uber or Lyft. 4. **Nonprofit Organizations Supporting IDPs - **Community Collaboration**: By emphasizing the role of IDPs in teaching others and reinvesting in new vehicles, the idea fosters a sense of community and shared success that is distinct from traditional driving schools or microfinance institutions. - **Social Entrepreneurship**: The model encourages a form of social entrepreneurship within the community, promoting ownership, responsibility, and collaboration among participants in a way that sets it apart from ride-hailing services or nonprofit programs. - **Sustainable Impact**: With its focus on continuous skill transfer, reinvestment, and long-term economic development, the idea offers a sustainable and holistic approach to empowering IDPs and driving community progress that differs from existing programs or organizations.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

My cofounder is my wife and she will be a huge advisor to me and will have shares in the business.