The construction of the Mutan Market in the Industrial Zone in Bamenda has reached an advanced stage, with officials confirming that the project is now 95% complete and expected to be handed over in the coming weeks.
The project powered by the North West Regional Assembly and funded by the Local Governance and Resilient Communities Project (PROLOG) and constructed by Dreamland Connect is being presented as a people-centred infrastructure project designed to strengthen wholesale trade, improve livelihoods, and contribute to economic recovery in the North West Region.
Awarded in October 2025, the project officially commenced on February 29, 2026, and has taken close to four months to reach its current stage.
Located within Bamenda’s industrial zone, the Mutan Market is intended to function exclusively as a wholesale business hub, linking production areas with commercial distribution channels. The first phase of the project includes 56 market sheds, modern sanitation facilities, solar-powered infrastructure, and accessibility features intended to accommodate all categories of users.
Among the notable aspects of the market is a specially constructed access ramp designed to ensure persons with disabilities can move freely within the facility. The market also includes spacious and modern toilet facilities housed in an apartment block containing 11 toilets, alongside a caretaker’s control room responsible for monitoring hygiene and maintenance.
The entire market infrastructure, including its borehole water system, is powered by solar energy, reflecting efforts to integrate sustainable energy solutions into public infrastructure projects in the region.
Speaking during a site visit on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Edison Fru Ndi, contractor and Chief Executive Officer of Dreamland Connect, described the project as a strategic investment aimed at improving the movement of goods from production centers to commercial markets. “I think this particular project is pivotal, in the sense that when you produce, you should be able to sell,” he said. “Starting with the Mutan market, which is going to be a specialized market, will be a way of transporting products from the industrial zone to the market space.”
According to him, the market’s structure is expected to create opportunities for wholesalers and distributors operating within the region. “With the 56 sheds already constructed, we expect distributors and wholesalers to operate from this market while future warehouse facilities will support storage and supply operations,” he added.
Plans for the second phase of the project include the construction of 56 storage houses corresponding to the existing sheds, as well as a general warehouse expected to support larger-scale commercial activities.
Edison Fru Ndi, acknowledged by mayors and top officials for his incredible and rare working style, also highlighted the inclusive nature of the infrastructure, noting that accessibility and ease of movement were integrated into the design from the outset. “Mutan Market is an inclusive market. It is a market for everybody,” he said. “There is room for persons with disabilities, elderly people, and everybody else. The ramp allows easy movement for those who may not be able to use the stairs comfortably.”
According to officials of the North West Regional Assembly, the aim of the Mutan market is to significantly improve trading conditions in the city by providing traders with a more organized, hygienic, and secure environment.
Beyond commerce, local stakeholders believe the project represents a broader symbol of resilience and recovery for the Northwest Region, where infrastructure development is increasingly viewed as a pathway toward rebuilding economic confidence.
The quality of roofing, drainage systems, and finishing works visible on site has also drawn attention to the technical standards applied during construction.
Officials involved in the project say the nearing completion stage demonstrates both accountability and commitment to delivery standards ahead of provisional reception.
For many residents and business operators, the market represents more than just a trading space. It is expected to stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, and strengthen supply networks between producers and distributors across the region.
As preparations continue for the official handover, the Mutan Market is increasingly being viewed as one of the region’s emerging development infrastructures, one expected to contribute to long-term commercial growth and community recovery in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
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