Yvette Mamgue, Founder and CEO, Universal Business & Tours (UBT)

Some people build companies. But for the rare visionaries, success finds its true expression not in what they accumulate but in what they cultivate – the seeds of opportunity they sow for others and the pathways they build for others to flourish. Yvette Mamgue, the Founder and CEO of Universal Business & Tours (UBT), stands luminously among them: a custodian of Cameroon’s hidden gems and a tireless advocate for communities often left at the margins of opportunity.

“One personal value that has deeply shaped how I approach entrepreneurship and decision-making is integrity. I believe that building a sustainable business is not just about profits but about earning and maintaining trust with clients, partners, employees, and communities,” Yvette’s reflects. For over a decade, this principle has not just shaped UBT’s ascent as a premier tour operator—it has quietly transformed how Cameroonians see themselves and how the world discovers Cameroon.

Beyond Travel: A Journey of Empowerment

Born in a country blessed with boundless natural wealth—fertile lands, mineral veins, pristine forests—she recognized early that these treasures meant little if local communities remained mere spectators. Therefore, a vision cast wide and deep, Yvette did not merely open a travel agency; she sparked a movement.

Her eyes shine when she speaks of the Cameroon Investment Fund—an initiative she calls “a strategic lever to scale up the tourism sector, promote our cultural heritage, and create fair local opportunities.” Amidst sterile ledgers and cold calculations of an investment fund, the articulation of the RD Congo Investment Fund emerges with a different narrative — one pulsing with the vibrant promise of human empowerment. She sees it as a “major opportunity to stimulate local economic growth,” an instrument designed not merely to inject capital but to breathe life into communities.

Crucially, Yvette champions a future where economic growth is inherently “gender-inclusive.” Through targeted funding for women-led businesses, the fund has the power to dismantle barriers and build a nation where female entrepreneurship is not a footnote but a cornerstone. “Supporting female entrepreneurship is not only a matter of equity but a key driver of sustainable development,” asserts the entrepreneur.

Under her stewardship, UBT crafts experiences where eco-tours tread lightly on sacred landscapes. Cultural immersions funnel income directly to rural families and business travel arrangements champion local suppliers. At every step, Yvette’s blueprint is clear: to foster “fair local opportunities” and, in doing so, to strengthen “public-private trust” and attract vital diaspora investment, weaving a more “resilient and inclusive economy” for Cameroon.

Nature as A Partner, Not A Victim

It would be easy for a travel executive to exploit beauty at the expense of the land. But for Yvette, sustainability is not a fashionable badge—it is a moral imperative.

Born in a land blessed with a magnificent trove of natural resources – fertile earth, abundant minerals, and vast hydroelectric potential, Yvette envisions a future where this immense wealth is not merely exploited but harmoniously integrated into a model that balances “economic growth, environmental preservation, and social equity.” Her understanding transcends superficial exploitation, delving into the very essence of sustainable stewardship. Her vision, rooted in the quintessential aspects of agroecology, transparent mining, and renewable energy, is paving the way for a green economy — one where tourism thrives alongside healthy forests and pristine rivers. “By investing in renewable and decentralized energy systems, we can expand access to electricity in rural areas, stimulate entrepreneurship, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels,” Yvette shares.

As UBT evolves, it becomes more than a destination brand for tourists; it becomes a steward of the nation’s natural inheritance, promoting inclusive, green value chains that ensure long-term benefits for all — a guardian of tomorrow’s Cameroon.

The Entrepreneurial Compass: Integrity as Guiding Star

The unpredictable tides of the global economy can be a formidable adversary for any entrepreneur. Yet, Yvette, at the helm of UBT, has navigated these tempestuous waters with an invincible compass that led her through every storm and sunshine: Integrity. Integrity, as perceived by Yvette, is not merely confined to working with unsparing honesty and transparency in business, but it also lies in aligning business goals with ethical principles and taking responsibility even when challenges arise. “This value guides me to prioritize long-term relationships over short-term gains and to ensure that every business decision contributes positively to all stakeholders,” Yvette adds with quiet conviction.  It is this profound commitment that fosters a culture of “accountability and respect” within the organization.  This spirit, a blend of discipline and warmth of business precision and deep-seated respect for community wisdom — permeates every UBT itinerary, shaping journeys with ethics, confidence, and authenticity.  

Inspiring a New Cameroon: One Story at a Time

For all her impact, Yvette never loses sight of where true hope lives: in her people. “Outside of my professional work, what gives me the most hope and inspiration about Cameroon’s future is the resilience and creativity of its people, especially the youth.”

When she looks across the next decade, her vision is audacious yet grounded: “In the next decade, I envision Cameroon’s economy evolving into a vibrant, diversified, and inclusive powerhouse in Central Africa. She envisions the establishment of a “dedicated fund and support program,” specifically tailored for these groups, particularly within the “tourism and cultural sectors,” which she rightly observes are “rich but underexploited” in Cameroon.

Her daily experience as CEO of UBT lays bare the stark realities: “Talented young people and women face barriers such as limited access to financing, training, and market opportunities.” The proposed funding policy is holistically designed to provide underprivileged talents with support in “accessible financing, business mentorship, and digital skills development.” By empowering these pivotal groups, Yvette creates transformative ripple effects that not only diminish regional inequalities and promote job opportunities but also unleash Cameroon’s immense tourism potential—driving “inclusive economic growth across communities.”

A Legacy of Connection

Ten years from now, when a traveler steps off a plane in Douala or Yaoundé, it won’t just be another vacation. It will be an encounter—crafted by UBT, and powered by a business model anchored in trust and shared benefit.

Yvette Mamgue is not just marketing tours. She is co-authoring a future where Cameroon’s culture is not a commodity but a living, breathing testament to shared prosperity. And as long as she leads with unwavering integrity, that story will echo far beyond borders.

UBT’s promise remains simple yet profound: to promote Cameroon and Africa as premier tourist destinations through sustainable and authentic experiences. And in Yvette’s words and actions, that promise feels less like a slogan and more like a legacy—À la conquête du monde—to conquer the world, one journey, one village, one inspired traveler at a time.