ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY INCUBATORS ON REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN EMERGING ECONOMIES: THE CAMEROONIAN UNIVERSITY ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

This paper attempts a critical empirical assessment of the socio-economic effects of university-industry incubators within the Cameroonian higher education ecosystem. This study was based on Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30) and the transformative Law No. 2023/007 on Higher Education Policy to determine whether top-down mandates for the “National Status of the Student-Entrepreneur” (SNEE) are successfully translated into regional economic growth. The study follows an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach (QUAN → QUAL). The study first utilized a longitudinal panel analysis of 15 university incubators (2021–2024), followed by various comparative case studies (N=6) based on in-depth interviews and focus groups. The quantitative results show a serious structural failure: while the universities have successfully satisfied the bureaucratic demands and have awarded large amounts of SNEE statuses, there is no statistically significant (p=0.680) relationship with the 3-year survival rate of the startups that have resulted from these statuses. Looking at qualitative theme analysis through the ideas of institutional isomorphism and Triple Helix disintegration shows this disconnection. Universities are acting as "paper entrepreneur" factories, producing theoretical human capital but not the crucial social capital (initial investment, industry networks) needed to close the intention-action gap. The authors suggest that the policymakers move away from isolated academic incubation and move towards a Quadruple Helix model to achieve the import-substitution targets of the SND30. This means significantly reducing risks for private sector investments and building genuine, decentralized partnerships with the informal sector to speed up local, sustainable innovation.