CAMEROON : MINPMEESA outlines 2026 roadmap to boost the artisanal sector and combat unemployment
La voix des entreprises 
Achille Basselikin III, Cameroon Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises
(LVDE) — The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) held its Annual Orientation Meeting on January 28, 2026, in Yaoundé, highlighting the strategic role of the artisanal sector in implementing the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy (SND30). The aim is to stimulate employment, promote local skills, and strengthen territorial development through the modernization and structuring of the artisanal sector.
The annual orientation meeting, bringing together MINPMEESA’s central, decentralized, and affiliated services, took place at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé. Presided over by Minister Achille Bassilekin III, the event gathered ministry officials, representatives from local authorities, artisan associations, and technical and financial partners. This year’s theme, **“The Role of Artisanship in Achieving SND30 : Actions for Central, Decentralized, and Affiliated Services,” underscores the government’s commitment to positioning the artisanal sector as a key driver of employment creation and economic inclusion.
According to Minister Bassilekin, “The 2026 agenda aims to discuss the challenges and opportunities linked to the artisanal sector’s contribution to SND30. In many developed countries, artisanal industries form a significant part of the economy and contribute substantially to GDP. In Cameroon, the potential of our artisans remains underutilized and deserves structuring and valorization to accelerate national development.” The 2026-2028 strategic framework emphasizes innovation, professional integration, and the promotion of local resources throughout the country.
Discussions during the meeting identified several priority action areas : clarifying the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, defining a viable economic model for artisans, accelerating digitalization, and strengthening synergies between local actors and institutions. These measures aim to formalize the sector, improve competitiveness, and ensure its contribution to inclusive growth.
The meeting also prepared the ground for the 9th edition of the Cameroon International Handicraft Fair (SIARC), scheduled from July 27 to August 5, 2026, at the National Museum of Yaoundé, under the theme: “Between Tradition and Modernity: How to Foster Innovation?” The event will serve as a key platform to showcase local craftsmanship, facilitate exchanges between artisans and investors, and promote the Made in Cameroon brand nationally and internationally.
Through these initiatives, MINPMEESA seeks to make the artisanal sector a pillar of sustainable development and a source of decent jobs for youth and vulnerable populations. By mobilizing ministry services, local authorities, artisan villages, and the private sector, the government aims to progressively structure the sector, enhance the appeal of artisanal products, develop technical and financial capacities, and contribute tangibly to the achievement of SND30 objectives. Sector modernization, digital adoption, and access to new markets are central to this strategy, reaffirming Cameroon’s commitment to positioning artisanal activities as a driver of territorial and national economic development.
Esther Grace
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