Port-au-Prince, 22 September 2025.- The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MCI) is launching a competition for business plans to form the 4th cohort of beneficiaries of the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Programme (YEP). Young Haitian entrepreneurs under the age of 40 have until September 28, 2025 to submit their project and receive technical and financial support ranging from 50,000 to 2,000,000 gourdes.
Under this programme, the MCI, with the support of financial partners, provides micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and groups of individuals with an appropriate financing mechanism. The aim is to encourage the creation and development of viable enterprises, particularly in rural areas, in order to reduce youth unemployment and promote self-employability.
The PAPEJ provides for the granting of loans capped at 2 million gourdes, with favourable conditions: fixed interest rate of 3 to 5%, maximum duration of 10 years and a grace period of 6 to 12 months. This appropriation may cover the acquisition of production equipment, the development of premises, the purchase of raw materials or any other expenditure necessary for the implementation of the project.
In addition to funding, the programme offers structured support including the development of business plans, formalisation of businesses (registration, patent, NIF), as well as personalized coaching in management and leadership. The selected projects will be submitted to the funding partners of PAPEJ to ensure support in line with the actual needs and repayment capacities of the beneficiaries.
To be eligible, projects must present an innovative idea, demonstrate a potential for job creation, especially for young people and women, and justify a need for investment of between 50,000 and 2,000,000 gourdes. The promoters must be under the age of 40 and commit to formalizing their business within the specified time limits. Particular attention is paid to joint ventures and projects with a positive impact on the environment.
Interested applicants must submit a business plan with a copy of their national identity card to paperj@mci.gouv.ht by 28 September 2025. Incomplete files will not be considered.
W.A.
Félicitations au programme PAPEJ pour cette belle initiative en faveur de la jeunesse. C’est une opportunité que j’aurais aimé découvrir plus tôt, mais je reste très intéressé et motivé à participer aux prochaines étapes.