More than 250 exhibitors have gathered at the National Museum in Yaoundé for a trade fair highlighting women’s entrepreneurship as part of celebrations marking the 41st International Women’s Day.
The exhibition, which started on March 2 and is ending today March 6, is organized by the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family (Minproff) with the support of Senator Françoise Puene. It brings together hundreds of women entrepreneurs presenting their businesses, products, and expertise.
“This showcase is an opportunity to demonstrate the creativity, know-how, and resilience of Cameroonian women. Every project presented here reflects courage and innovation,” said Minister Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoa.
A showcase of “Made in Cameroon”
Set up within the grounds of the National Museum, the exhibition village hosts more than 250 exhibitors, according to the state-owned daily Cameroon Tribune.
The stands feature products and services labeled “Made in Cameroon,” ranging from food processing and fashion to cosmetics, crafts, and financial services.
Visitors can discover locally processed foods, culinary innovations, handcrafted products, and natural cosmetics made from local raw materials. Clothing, artistic crafts, and wellness products are among the most represented sectors.
A space for training and partnerships
Beyond the exhibition, the event also serves as a platform for networking and skills development.
Conferences, training workshops, practical demonstrations, and B2B meetings have been organized to encourage exchanges between entrepreneurs, investors, and support organizations.
Senator Françoise Puene, a co-organizer of the event, said the initiative aims to create an ecosystem where women can learn from one another, build partnerships, and strengthen their economic activities.
Women’s growing role in the economy
The initiative comes as women play an increasingly visible role in Cameroon’s entrepreneurial landscape.
According to the 2024 statistical yearbook from the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, 167,652 SMEs led by women were recorded in 2024, out of 443,524 SMEs nationwide.
Women-led businesses therefore account for 37.8% of the country’s formal SME sector. The number of women entrepreneurs increased by 19,032 within a year, rising from 148,620 in 2023 to 167,652 in 2024.
Despite this progress, men still represent the majority of SME owners.
Authorities say they intend to expand programs supporting women’s economic empowerment and strengthen their contribution to national growth. The five-day expo at the National Museum is meant to highlight the diversity and vitality of women-led businesses while opening opportunities for collaboration and development.
Patricia Ngo Ngouem