The Cameroonian government has taken a significant step towards developing a cultural strategy for Central Africa. On February 26, 2025, the Ministry of Arts and Culture hosted national consultations in Yaoundé, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors. The meeting, which was attended by Bidoung Mkpatt, Minister of Arts and Culture, and Pierre-Guillaume Boum Bissai, resident representative of the Cemac Commission in Cameroon, aimed to gather input on a community cultural strategy that addresses the challenges and needs of cultural actors.
The consultations are part of a broader initiative by Cemac to develop a cultural strategy for its member states. The strategy seeks to promote cultural cooperation and development in the region, which comprises six countries: Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo. According to Dr. Eric Loemb Li'Mbouity, a consultant for Cemac, the strategy will help to "bring together the peoples of Central Africa" and harness the potential of the cultural and creative industries.
The national consultations in Cameroon follow a similar meeting held in Douala in January 2024. The Douala meeting brought together representatives from the six Cemac member states, who agreed to conduct national consultations to gather input on the cultural strategy. The consultations are expected to inform the development of a comprehensive cultural strategy that takes into account the needs and aspirations of the region's cultural stakeholders.
The Cameroonian government has emphasized the importance of a cultural strategy for the region. According to Minister Bidoung Mkpatt, the strategy will help to promote cultural cooperation and development in the region. The minister also highlighted the need for a strategy that is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the region.
The consultations in Yaoundé brought together a range of stakeholders, including promoters and entrepreneurs in the cultural sector, as well as representatives from the 26 artistic and cultural poles at the Ministry of Arts and Culture. The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to share their views and ideas on the cultural strategy, with a focus on promoting cultural cooperation and development in the region.
The development of a cultural strategy for Central Africa is seen as a key step towards promoting regional integration and cooperation. According to Dr. Loemb Li'Mbouity, the strategy will help to promote a "sub-regional" approach to cultural development, one that takes into account the needs and aspirations of the region's cultural stakeholders. The strategy is expected to be finalized in the coming months, following the completion of national consultations in all six Cemac member states.
The cultural strategy for Central Africa is expected to have a significant impact on the region's cultural sector. According to stakeholders, the strategy will help to promote cultural cooperation and development, and provide new opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration. The strategy is also expected to help to promote the region's cultural heritage and creative industries, which are seen as key drivers of economic growth and development.
Key points
- * The Cameroonian government has hosted national consultations to develop a cultural strategy for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (Cemac).
