Bamboo crafts in the spotlight at prominent Cameroon fair

INBAR’s participation showcased advances in bamboo processing, the potential for bamboo to replace plastics, and provided an international platform for local artisans.

From 22 to 30 July 2024, the 8^th International Handicrafts Exhibition of Cameroon (SIARC) was held at the National Museum of Cameroon in Yaoundé. Organized by the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) under the patronage of H.E. Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon, SIARC is a premier event for promoting and marketing craft products, including those made from bamboo and rattan.

As a key partner of MINPMEESA, INBAR had a major presence at the fair. Rene Kaam, Director of INBAR’s Central Africa Regional Office, championed bamboo and rattan as nature-based solutions to stakeholders attending the event. INBAR also operated an impressive 18-square-meter booth, which was elegantly decorated with bamboo and rattan, illustrating the wide range of high-quality goods that can be made from these versatile plant resources.

H.E. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister and Special Representative of the President of the Republic, presided over the event’s launch ceremony. In his opening remarks, he highlighted SIARC’s role in fostering comprehensive creation and business contract opportunities. Ngute also praised the dedication of young people to advancing the craft industry.

A variety of locally made products were on display (seen above), crafted by an equal number of men and women. These included bamboo and rattan furniture (such as chairs and beds), interior decorations, bamboo water fountains, baskets, pen cups, kitchenware and even bamboo bicycles.

INBAR’s participation in the event had three main goals. First, staff aimed to showcase recent advances in bamboo processing, including both low-tech and high-end technologies. Second, visitors to the booth were educated on the potential for using bamboo as a substitute for plastic in order to combat plastic pollution, address climate change and accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. And third, INBAR sought to provide a unique platform for Cameroonian bamboo and rattan artisans to display their skills and products to an international audience.

On the last day of the fair, H.E Achille Bassilekin III, Minister of MINPMEESA (pictured above), visited INBAR’s booth, where he expressed his admiration for the diversity and quality of bamboo and rattan products in Cameroon. He emphasized the importance of these resources for the development of handicrafts, particularly for women, and lauded the partnership between MINPMEESA and INBAR. He committed to visiting INBAR’s office in Yaoundé to further support the sector’s development.

Through the ACREGIR project, INBAR aims to promote eco-entrepreneurship among young people and women through the integrated management of natural resources. The booth ultimately offered a platform for bamboo and rattan enthusiasts to showcase their craftsmanship to a broader audience, attracting over 2000 visitors to admire the elegant works. INBAR’s participation in the fair makes a significant contribution to the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 for the structural transformation of the Cameroonian economy.