(Business in Cameroon) – The fourth edition of Cameroon’s International Banana-Plantain Festival opens today at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde. While the opening ceremony will feature cultural parades, exhibitions, and sporting events, the underlying purpose of the gathering is economic: to highlight the importance of banana and plantain to both domestic markets and international trade, while showcasing new opportunities to add value within Cameroon.
Banana is among Cameroon’s most valuable agricultural exports. In 2024, the country shipped 210,686 tonnes, representing a modest 1.8 per cent rise compared with 2023, according to industry data. European markets dominate, with exports to G7 countries valued at 42.9 billion CFA francs in 2023.
The sector, however, has faced mixed fortunes. The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) and the Mondoni Banana Company (CDBM) recorded export growth of between 10 and 25 per cent in the first half of 2025. Yet Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP), the country’s largest producer, registered year-on-year declines approaching 10 per cent in some months. This uneven performance illustrates the risks of heavy reliance on export markets and underlines the importance of developing domestic outlets.
Reducing Exposure to External Shocks
The festival aims to shift part of the focus inward by encouraging Cameroonians to consume more banana- and plantain-based products. Beyond fresh fruit, exhibitors are promoting flour, chips, drinks and confectionery, each of which carries higher margins than raw produce. The development of such value-added goods also extends the supply chain, creating jobs in processing, packaging and retail.
Organisers estimate that more than 3,000 young people will attend this year’s edition. For many, the event offers first-hand exposure to the banana-plantain value chain, opening possibilities for entrepreneurship in agri-processing and marketing. Industry observers say that increased youth participation could help modernise production methods and expand product lines that appeal to new consumer bases.
By stimulating internal demand, the festival helps cushion farmers and exporters against volatility in foreign markets. In a sector where a 10 per cent change in export volumes can translate into millions of CFA francs in earnings, reliable domestic sales can provide critical stability. Local demand can also mitigate the effects of currency fluctuations, shipping disruptions, or trade restrictions abroad.
The promotion of processed banana-plantain products in particular offers the potential for longer shelf life and easier transport, making them more adaptable to local and regional markets. This could gradually build resilience for producers who have traditionally been vulnerable to swings in European demand.
The immediate impact of the festival is visible in the hospitality and service sectors, with hotels, restaurants, transport providers and informal traders benefiting from the influx of visitors. More importantly, the event contributes to a longer-term repositioning of banana and plantain within Cameroon’s economy, not only as export commodities but as versatile raw materials for domestic industry.
Mercy Fosoh
