The construction of the Mutan Market in Nkwen has reached 95 percent completion, bringing the vision of a North West Dry Port and a modern industrial zone in Bamenda closer to reality.
Located in the industrial zone in Nkwen, the specialized market is expected to play an important role in boosting trade, business activities, and economic development in the North West Region. The project is being carried out by Dreamland, haven been on the site for just four months ago.
According to the project contractor Edison Fru Ndi, the market is expected to be completed by the end of May 2026. The provisional reception of the project has been scheduled for May 19, 2026.
Speaking during a guided tour of the site, Edison Fru Ndi explained that the market is not designed to function like a traditional open market. Instead, it is a specialized market intended mainly for wholesalers and distributors.
“It is going to be more of a specialized market,” he said. “It will serve as a link between products imported into Bamenda and products meant for export.”
The market is made up of about 56 showrooms that will serve as display spaces for distributors and wholesalers. Once operational, at least 56 distributors are expected to occupy the market.
According to Edison Fru Ndi, the showrooms will mainly be used to display products, while larger quantities of goods will later be stored in warehouses planned under the second phase of the project.
“These distributors will also have warehouses that will be constructed later. The market will mainly serve as a showroom, while the goods will be stored in the warehouses,” he explained.
He added that at least 56 warehouses are expected to be constructed during the next phase of the project. However, the continuation of that phase will depend largely on the availability of resources, especially support from the North West Regional Assembly.
The modern market has been designed with several facilities aimed at improving hygiene, accessibility, and sustainability.
One of the key features of the market is its solar-powered system. The entire building will operate on solar energy, while a separate solar installation has been dedicated to powering the borehole that will supply water to the market.
Construction workers are currently completing the painting of the building, while work on the drainage gutter is also ongoing.
Behind the market is a modern pit toilet made up of 11 rooms. The toilet system has been constructed with a biodigester capable of producing biogas, making the facility environmentally friendly and sustainable.
The market has also been designed to accommodate persons with mobility challenges through the construction of access ramps within the building.
Observers say the project represents the first step toward transforming Bamenda into a stronger commercial and industrial hub in the region.
Using the opportunity of the site visit, Edison Fru Ndi called on business people in the North West Region to take advantage of the growing opportunities within the industrial zone and the future dry port project.
“The industrial zone provides an enabling environment for entrepreneurs,” he said. “There are tax incentives introduced in 2019 for those investing in disaster zones. Business people should take advantage of this while it lasts.”
He further encouraged local entrepreneurs to focus more on production and exportation instead of relying only on importation.
“We should not only think about importing goods. We also need to think about producing and exporting our own products,” he emphasized.
As completion works continue, many residents and business operators are hopeful that the Mutan Market will help strengthen trade activities, create jobs, and open new economic opportunities for the North West Region.
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