The Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) is taking an important step towards strengthening the organization and professionalization of Cameroon’s crafts sector.
This Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in Yaoundé, a multi-stakeholder consultation on the establishment of a Chamber of Crafts in Cameroon brought together MINPMEESA technical officials, representatives of sectoral administrations, the CCIMA, and representatives of fifteen professional craft organizations.
The objective is to agree on an inclusive and suitable model for a Chamber of Crafts in Cameroon, and to define the practical steps for its establishment.
With 314 trades organized into 46 occupational groups and 10 sectors, the crafts sector plays a strategic role in job creation, entrepreneurship, the promotion of local know-how and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The future Chamber could strengthen the professional representation of artisans, support the formalization of craft businesses, facilitate access to training and financing, promote product quality and contribute to the recognition of professional skills, including through the Master Craftsman title.
Discussions also focused on its legal status, institutional organization, missions, governance, funding and its relationship with existing institutions, particularly the CCIMA.
Following the consultation, a working group will be established to further develop the recommendations and prepare a draft legal framework for the creation, organization and operation of the future Chamber. A roadmap will also define the different steps towards its effective establishment.
Through this participatory approach, Cameroon is laying the foundations for an institution that will give artisans a stronger voice, better structure the profession and strengthen its contribution to the country’s economic and social development.