Penja Pepper Festival : Stakeholders Commit To Revalorise Production

The Penja International Pepper Festival, dubbed Festi-Poivre de Penja 2025, which began on June 24, ended on June 26, 2025 in Penja, Moungo Division of the Littoral Region. The three-day event, which witnessed the participation of farmers, researchers, distributors, and actors in agri-food processing from Cameroon and other countries, aimed to promote Penja pepper, a spice native to Penja in the Moungo Division, as an agricultural and cultural heritage of Cameroon. The intention was also to promote the high-quality, certified local spice locally and internationally, revalorise the spice on the local and international market, sensitise visitors on the artisanal and sustainable methods which contribute to the quality of the spice, encourage experience sharing between farmers, researchers and agri-food actors, generate economic benefits, and create jobs.
The festival was overseen by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe, who in his remarks upheld the spice for its role as an important lever of household income in the area and for the positive image is brings to Cameroon on the international arena. "The certification of the spice and its international recognition has led to the generation of a significant income to farmers and distributors," the member of government said. With plans to boost annual production from the current 800 tons to 2,000 tons, the labelled spice could help balance trade between Cameroon and partner countries.  He also said Penja pepper is an exceptional product in Cameroon and abroad, also showing how exceptional Cameroon agriculture is. He alluded to Njombe-Penja, in particular, and the Moungo, generally, as Central Africa’s breadbasket producing not only pepper but also pawpaw, cocoa, plums, plantain, etc. This inaugural event showcased Penja pepper, the first Cameroonian spice to obtain a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and featured exhibitions, tastings, plantation tours, training workshops, exchanges, culi...