It was a bright September morning in Douala when Bitter Kola Studio opened its doors to a very special guest: British High Commissioner Matt Woods. The studio, usually alive with the hum of creativity, felt different that day, charged with anticipation and excitement.
This visit wasn’t just a formality. The High Commissioner wanted to meet Cameroon’s leading young innovators face-to-face, to hear their stories, understand their work, and see the impact of their ideas. “I wanted to hear directly from those leading change, not filtered through reports,” Woods said, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Inside the studio, the atmosphere was casual but focused. The seating was arranged in a circle, creating an equal space for everyone to share their thoughts. Walls adorned with digital art, prototypes, and creative projects reflected the spirit of the place: bold ideas, daring visions, and a commitment to making change.
This visit represented a new approach to diplomacy, listening to local voices, understanding the work happening on the ground, and finding ways to connect these young leaders to global opportunities. By the end of the session, he had not just met a group of innovators; he had experienced the heartbeat of Cameroon’s youth-led innovation.
II. Bitter Kola Studio: Creativity at the Center
Bitter Kola Studio was founded by Ngumih Fien, a UX designer and strategist who believes in the power of creativity to shape the future. What started as a personal project has grown into a creative hub where businesses build strong identities and communities learn how design can drive growth.
“Creativity is not decoration,” Ngumih told the High Commissioner. “It’s how we build identity, communicate value, and shape our future.”
Ngumih wears many hats. Beyond running the studio, she organizes the Cameroon International Tech Summit (CITS), mentors young designers through Google Developer Groups (GDG) and Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC), and supports creative communities like Friends of Figma. Her work shows that creativity is not just an art; it’s a tool for problem-solving and building communities.
Bitter Kola Studio was the perfect place for this dialogue. It’s a space where ideas are alive, where young people experiment, learn, and grow. For Woods, seeing the studio in action was like seeing innovation in its natural habitat.
III. The Leaders at the Table
Ngumih Fien | UI/UX Designer, Founder Bitter Kola Studio
As the host and founder of Bitter Kola Studio, Ngumih Fien set the tone. A seasoned UX designer and strategist, her work spans software, branding, and community engagement. For Ngumih, good design is more than aesthetics. “When a local business presents itself well, it builds trust, attracts customers, and competes globally,” she said.
Her words were more than rhetoric; they were a reflection of her lived experience. From small businesses to established enterprises, Ngumih has applied design thinking to solve complex problems, create marketable products, and foster innovation hubs across Cameroon. Her leadership extends to organizing the Cameroon International Tech Summit, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, and mentoring young innovators who are shaping the nation’s digital future.
Sinet Akih | Product Marketer, Founder Jappcare
Hailing from Bamenda, Sinet Akih has emerged as a product marketing leader, digital strategist, and founder of Jappcare Autotech, a mobile-first platform revolutionizing vehicle maintenance and road safety. In Cameroon, where preventable road accidents constitute a persistent challenge, Sinet’s platform provides real-time diagnostics, maintenance scheduling, and spare parts e-commerce.
“In Cameroon, the lack of proper vehicle maintenance is a hidden crisis,” Sinet said. “Through Jappcare, we provide tools for drivers to track their vehicle’s health, schedule maintenance, and access spare parts easily. This is about saving lives, not just technology for technology’s sake.”
Sinet’s work extends beyond his startup. He has held leadership roles in initiatives such as the Bamenda Community Challenge and has mentored aspiring entrepreneurs at Mountain Hub.
Through these efforts, he demonstrates how technology and marketing can drive both social impact and business growth, showcasing Cameroon’s capacity for innovation in practical, life-saving ways. His international recognition, including TEDx speaking engagements, positions him as a thought leader and a connector between local ingenuity and global discourse.
Lily Asongfac | Telecoms Engineer, Founder Y4SSD
Telecommunications engineer, STEM advocate, and space enthusiast Lily Asongfac has carved a unique path in fields where African representation is limited. She is the founder of the Aerospace Baby Project, which introduces children and students to aerospace and STEM education, and she serves as Cameroon’s National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).
“I want space to be more than a dream for young Africans,” Lily explained passionately. “It must become a path of opportunity.”
Her accomplishments have earned her international recognition, from the Emerging Space Leader Award to inclusion in the 100 most inspiring Cameroonians. Lily’s work bridges local and global horizons, inspiring young Africans to view STEM and aerospace as attainable, tangible pathways to personal and national development. She exemplifies how individual passion, when combined with structured mentorship and advocacy, can inspire a generation.
Collins Ngwashi | Founder, Effex Studio & Afro Kloset
Collins Ngwashi operates at the intersection of art, entrepreneurship, and strategy. As Lead Photographer at Effex Studio Ltd and Creative Director at Afro Kloset Inc., his photography has served globally recognized brands, including TotalEnergies, MTN Cameroon, UBA Cameroun, and Ethiopian Airlines. Beyond creating compelling visuals, Collins trains emerging creatives through Effex Academy, teaching branding, strategy, and business development.
Through his work, Collins demonstrates that photography and visual storytelling are not mere tools of art; they are engines of economic and social influence. His mentorship extends the impact of his craft, ensuring that Cameroon’s next generation of creatives is equipped with both skill and business acumen.
Mfontoh Blaise | Business Developer, Founder ThinkFast BC
A Mandela Washington Fellow, business developer, and media strategist, Mfontoh Blaise is the founder of ThinkFast BC and ThinkTours Cameroon. His initiatives support entrepreneurship, tourism, and agricultural transformation. Blaise has collaborated with institutions such as the World Bank PIDMA project, Ashoka Changemakers, and UNLEASH Rwanda, combining expertise in finance, agriculture, and media to support youth-led enterprises.
Blaise’s work exemplifies the multifaceted nature of innovation, demonstrating that entrepreneurship can simultaneously address economic, cultural, and social challenges. His contributions highlight the interconnectedness of sectors and the importance of holistic approaches to national development.
Tsheh Walid | Civil Engineer, National Order of Cameroon
Walid is a civil engineer and AI-driven structural enthusiast, passionate about creating safe, sustainable, and innovative solutions for cities and communities. As a member of the Ordre National des Ingénieurs de Génie Civil (ONIGC) and a graduate of the University of Bamenda, he combines technical expertise with forward-thinking design approaches.
“Cities are more than buildings- they are living spaces where people thrive,” Walid explained. “Our responsibility is to design structures and systems that are safe, sustainable, and built for the future.”
Based in Douala, he applies AI and smart design techniques to urban planning, advocating for sustainable development in line with SDG 11. His work demonstrates how civil engineering can intersect with technology and innovation to create tangible improvements in communities.
IV. The Commissioner’s Reflections
For Matt Woods, meeting these young leaders was a chance to understand the real impact of youth innovation in Cameroon. He noted that these individuals already had national and international visibility and were shaping industries in meaningful ways.
He emphasized the importance of partnerships between the UK and Cameroon, highlighting opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and funding. This meeting demonstrated that diplomacy is most effective when it amplifies local voices rather than imposing solutions.
V. Themes and Outcomes
Several key themes came out of the dialogue:
Creativity as Strategy: Design, photography, and storytelling are not just art—they drive growth, build brands, and solve problems.
Technology as Lifeline: From road safety apps to digital education, technology is helping solve urgent problems and improve lives.
Global Outlook: Cameroon’s youth are thinking beyond borders, using their skills to engage the world in space, tourism, and tech.
Resilience as Identity: Each leader shared stories of turning obstacles into opportunities, showing that innovation often comes from facing challenges head-on.
Ripple Effect: Recognition from leaders like Matt Woods gives these innovators confidence, visibility, and expanded networks, which strengthen the entire ecosystem.
VI. Closing Reflections
The visit showed that Cameroon’s youth are not just part of development—they are building it. Bitter Kola Studio provided the perfect backdrop to witness creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience in action.
“This visit reminds us that Cameroon’s youth are not just participants in development—they are its architects,” Ngumih Fien said.
The stories, ideas, and connections from this day will ripple across communities, industries, and the country. For Woods, and for everyone at Bitter Kola Studios, the message was clear: when creativity meets diplomacy, real change happens.