Efforts to establish a functional dry port in Cameroon’s Northwest Region are gaining traction as construction of the Mutan Market approaches completion in the industrial zone of Bamenda.
The project, executed by Dreamland Connect for the North West Regional Assembly, is widely seen as a foundational step toward building a full-scale dry port system in Bamenda.
Speaking after an inspection tour on Sunday, April 4, 2026, contractor and chief executive officer Edison Fru Ndi described the initiative as a strategic response to one of the region’s longstanding economic gaps, market access for locally produced goods. “Production alone is not enough. There must be a structured way to connect goods to buyers,” he said.
A Specialized Trading Hub
Unlike traditional open markets, the Mutan facility is designed as a specialized commercial hub. It will feature 57 sheds intended for wholesalers and distributors, effectively creating a network of traders who will operate both from the market and from planned warehouse facilities.
According to project details, the market will function primarily as a showroom, while storage and bulk handling will be managed in a second phase involving warehouse construction. “This is about organization,” Fru Ndi explained. “You display here, you store elsewhere, and you distribute efficiently.”
The infrastructure includes sanitation facilities, a solar-powered water system, and accessibility features such as ramps, ensuring inclusivity for all categories of users, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Deadline and Economic Stakes
The construction that started in December 2025 is expected to be wrapped up by the end of May 2026. For the contractor, meeting this deadline is not just a matter of delivery but also financial sustainability.
Weekly wage payments estimated at 1.5 million CFA francs are being injected into the local economy, providing employment opportunities particularly for young people in surrounding communities. “The faster we complete, the more we control costs,” Fru Ndi noted, highlighting the economic pressure of prolonged construction timelines.
Phase Two Hinges on Funding
While the Mutan Market represents phase one of the project, the success of the broader dry port vision will depend on the rollout of phase two, which includes warehouse infrastructure. Officials say this next stage will rely heavily on budget availability and continued commitment from the regional assembly.
The project itself is being implemented under the PROLOG program with support from the World Bank, aimed at strengthening local governance and community resilience through infrastructure development.
Encouraging Local Enterprise
Beyond infrastructure, stakeholders are using the project as a platform to encourage entrepreneurship. Contractor Edison Fru Ndi, who doubles as the Northwest regional delegate of Chamber of Commerce, called on business operators to take advantage of incentives introduced under a 2019 government decree that grants tax relief and other benefits to enterprises operating in designated zones. “The industrial zone is an opportunity. The incentives exist, but people must act,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to shift from a consumption-driven economy toward production and export.
Highland Fresh: Expanding the Vision
In line with this approach, Dreamland Connect is simultaneously developing a mineral water production plant branded “Highland Fresh” near the market site.
The facility, according to the CEO of Dreamland Connect, is expected to tap into natural resources from the Bamenda highlands and supply both local and wider markets. Once operational, it is projected to produce tens of thousands of litres daily, subject to certification by health authorities. He believes the initiative could inspire similar ventures. “It’s about showing that we can produce, brand, and export our own products,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As excavation continues on the wider dry port site, expectations are growing that the project will significantly reshape trade and logistics in the Northwest Region. Though challenges persist, the project leader remains optimistic that the combination of public investment and private sector involvement will deliver long-term economic benefits.
For now, all eyes are on the completion of the Mutan Market, seen as the first tangible step toward a long-envisioned regional trade hub.
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