Ghislaine Tessa Ketcha, the entrepreneur who promotes green construction in Cameroon

In Cameroon, Ghislaine Tessa Ketcha advocates for green construction. Through her company, Immobilier Millenium S.A., the entrepreneur specializing in construction, builds ecological houses to increase awareness of sustainable development. 

Ghislaine Tessa Ketcha is a pioneer of environmentally friendly construction in Cameroon, a country where housing is still a problem for the population. At a time when the real estate debate in the country, and even in Africa, was mostly focused on social housing rather than sustainable cities, the entrepreneur took the risk to get into real estate by focusing on ecological construction.A choice motivated by her commitment to sustainable development.

It was in 2013 that the Cameroonian engineer started her business, having worked for 13 years in the family business, BTP Ketch, which specialises in road construction and the manufacture of building materials, after returning from her studies in France in 2000. Within the family company, she held several positions, including Regional Manager in the coastal region. She managed a number of building projects and gained experience in managing a construction company.

Favouring materials with a low environmental impact

When she started her company, she wanted to shake up the established construction practices, which are known for their enormous resources use. She wanted to build houses with a low environmental impact while also ensuring the comfort of the residents. Therefore, she chose Specialised Earth Brick (SEB) as her main material, as it requires few resources to manufacture.

This brick, which is made from soil, a little water, and a little cement to solidify the earth, eliminates the need for paint and plaster because the house’s rendering is attractive at the end of the construction process. This solution, according to the businesswoman, contributes greatly to saving resources conservation and energy efficiency in buildings.

In addition, the company uses double glazing, recycled plastic tiles, ceiling insulation, which help to limit heat transfer and so eliminate the need for air conditioners.

Today, the entrepreneur has succeeded in popularizing green construction in Cameroon. She has marketed various green projects on the market, from design to delivery, in order to make this type of housing more accessible to the general public.

In addition to her commitment to sustainable development, Ghislaine Tessa Ketcha works for more exposure for women working in construction. In this context, she founded the Women in Construction Association, to eliminate stereotypes about this field, which is often attributed to men.

For her commitment to ecological construction, she has won numerous prizes, distinctions, and labels. Her company has earned the EDGE badge from the World Bank since her projects help to save natural resources. In 2021, she was also honored with the « Women of the Planet Award » at the 5th ESTP Feminine Trophies.

She graduated from the Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics (ESTP) in Paris in 2000, earned an MBA from the Sorbonne Business School in 2001 and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship, Management, Leadership from Stanford University in 2018.