How Patrick Abege is shaping the future of professional education in Cameroon

When clients started poaching his staff, most would have seen it as a threat. Patrick Abege saw an opportunity.

Founder of A.C.A. Abege Chartered Accountants in Cameroon, Patrick faced a recurring problem: “You train your team, send them into the field, and next thing you know—your clients have hired them. But you can’t fight your clients. You need them,” he says with a smile.

The solution? Build a pipeline. Train better. Take control of the narrative.

And so, in 2023, the Abege Higher Institute was born. In just under two years, Abege turned an idea into the only higher institute in Cameroon focused entirely on auditing with government accreditation, strategic university partnerships, and a booming student intake.

Today, the Abege Higher Institute is rewriting the rules of business education in the region. By June 2024, it had secured full authorization from the Ministry of Higher Education.

In May 2025, the Institute signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Bamenda, ensuring academic alignment and national recognition.

What sets this model apart? Practical immersion. Every student gets hands-on experience through real audits—even before graduation.

“I give them extra training before they hit the field. They’re not just interns—they’re future audit assistants. And I hire them,” Patrick explains. “That’s our value chain. That’s our marketing.”

Now, with eyes set on pan-African expansion, Patrick is building global bridges. Talks with Anand University in Nigeria are already underway. “Once our legal framework is complete, we’ll partner to offer internationally co-signed degrees,” he reveals.

“In 10 years, we won’t just be big—we’ll be essential,” he says. “This is just the beginning.”

How to support the movement

Patrick needs the best tools: business and accounting books. That’s where TGS members come in. TGS and its members are uniquely positioned to elevate this success story even further by donating resources to help grow the institute.

Current and relevant texts are essential for equipping students with the theoretical knowledge and practical insight demanded in the field. By contributing books, our members can directly enhance the quality of instruction and research available to students, many of whom will go on to serve in key financial roles across the region.

At TGS, we believe in scalable, sustainable impact. And with leaders like Patrick Abege, we’re investing in a future where vocational excellence becomes the backbone of economic success.