The government of Cameroon is intensifying efforts to expand its textile exports by encouraging local firms to participate in Bharat Tex 2026, a major international textile exhibition set to take place in India.
The initiative is being led by the country’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts, known as CCIMA, which has invited textile operators to take part in the global trade fair scheduled for July 14–17, 2026, in New Delhi.
The exhibition, organised at Bharat Mandapam, is billed as one of the world’s largest integrated textile events, bringing together the full value chain from raw materials to finished garments and fashion products.
According to CCIMA, Cameroonian companies in fabrics, garments, fashion design, artisanal weaving, household textiles, carpets and technical textiles are expected to benefit from exposure to global buyers, technology providers and potential long-term partners.
The trade fair is expected to host more than 3,500 exhibitors and over 7,000 international buyers, alongside technical sessions focused on innovation, sustainability and digital transformation in textile production.
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CCIMA said participation would help local firms secure export contracts, improve competitiveness and gain access to emerging technologies shaping global textile manufacturing.
The move comes as Cameroon seeks to strengthen its industrial base and reduce reliance on primary commodity exports by promoting higher-value manufacturing sectors such as textiles and apparel.
Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics show that exports from Cameroon’s textile and clothing sector rose to CFA 59.4 billion in 2024, up from CFA 57.1 billion in 2023, signalling gradual recovery in the industry.
At the same time, Cameroon faces a widening trade imbalance with India, one of its major trading partners in Asia.
According to official figures, Cameroon’s trade deficit with India expanded sharply to CFA 291.4 billion in 2023, compared with CFA 37 billion in 2022, reflecting a significant rise in imports from the South Asian economy.
India accounted for 11.6% of Cameroon’s imports in 2023, making it the country’s second-largest supplier after China.
Policy analysts say participation in events such as Bharat Tex 2026 could help Cameroon reposition itself within global textile supply chains by increasing visibility, improving access to buyers and encouraging technology transfer.
For policymakers, the strategy reflects a broader push to diversify exports, strengthen industrial capacity and reduce dependence on volatile commodity markets through deeper integration into global manufacturing networks.
