“To date, I can confirm the presence, among others, of Central African businessmen at the Bagofit International Business Week (BIBW) and the Bertoua International Fair (FIB), organized on the sidelines of the Chantal Biya international mountain bike (MTB) race,” said Joël Nkouemo, minister and special advisor to the Central African head of state. He was speaking on July 18, 2026 in Bagofit, a locality located more than a hundred kilometers from Bertoua, where this sports competition will take place from August 5 to 8, 2026.
Continuing his intervention, Joël Nkouemo mentioned “the likely presence of Roger Seretoungou, the brand new president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CCIMA) of the Central African Republic.” An announcement welcomed by Joseph Le, promoter of the Chantal Biya international MTB race. According to him, the BIBW and the FIB have been designed as “two platforms designed to transform the sporting momentum into sustainable investment opportunities for the East region of Cameroon.”
Joseph Le asserts that the ambition of the organizers goes beyond the sports competition. “It is about positioning the East as a credible business land, capable of attracting capital, industrial partnerships, and structuring projects,” he said, estimating that the international visibility linked to the race can help showcase the productive assets of the region.
During this meeting, Fabrice Funiba, CEO of GAVE SA in Cameroon, indicated that “delegations from other regions of Cameroon, as well as from Africa, Europe, and Asia are expected in Bertoua for the FIB.” He presented this event as a B2B meeting space aimed at fostering exchanges between project holders, investors, buyers, and financial partners. According to him, this forum can offer local small and medium-sized enterprises access to financing, joint ventures, and new markets.
The organizers also highlight the expected impacts on the local economy. The presence of athletes, business delegations, media, and visitors should stimulate activity in hospitality, catering, transport, and services.
Under the high patronage of Chantal Biya and recognized by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the race benefits, according to its promoters, from increased visibility. On July 18, 2026 in Bagofit, the president of the Cameroonian Cycling Federation, Honoré Yossi, emphasized that this dynamic comes in a context marked by the desire to promote public-private partnerships and improve the business climate.
