Garoua is expected to host the inaugural African Women Manufacturers and Innovators Economic Fair, FEMINA 2026, from April 13 to 18, 2026, establishing the city as a central hub for women-led industrial and creative production across Africa. The six-day fair, organised under the high patronage of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women and the Family, receives technical and institutional support from the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA). The event aims to showcase Made in Africa products developed by women manufacturers and innovators throughout the continent.
FEMINA 2026 is expected to attract 200 exhibitors and approximately 6,000 visitors in Garoua, providing a platform for product visibility, trade connections, and business expansion. The program features product exhibitions and sales, B2B meetings, panel discussions, fashion shows, traditional dance competitions, culinary showcases from northern regions, and a Best Product Made in Cameroon competition. A Grand Prize for the Best African Product will also be awarded. Pre-registration for exhibitors and participants remains open until February 28, 2026.
The collaboration with MINPMEESA ensures alignment with national policies that support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, social economy initiatives, and handicraft promotion. FEMINA 2026 brings together public- and private-sector partners, including sector-based institutions, development agencies, and business associations. The initiative serves as an economic platform that connects women-owned enterprises with buyers, distributors, and investors while promoting locally manufactured goods in regional and continental markets.
Branded as a 100 per cent Made in Africa event led by women, FEMINA 2026 emphasises value addition, innovation, and local production. By hosting the fair in Garoua, organisers are channelling economic activity toward northern Cameroon, with expected positive impacts on trade, services, and regional visibility. The event unites manufacturing, creative industries, and agro-food production in a single marketplace, supporting broader continental efforts to strengthen intra-African trade and advance women’s participation in the manufacturing economy.
Mercy Fosoh
