By Boris-Kaloff Batata
The Cameroon International Music Festival (CIMFEST) is cementing its reputation as a major cultural event, showcasing a vibrant mix of music, art, and entrepreneurship. The 2025 edition, held at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium, proved to be a dynamic platform where creativity meets business.
Among the thousands of music lovers was multi-award-winning spoken word artist Pen Boy, known for his passionate advocacy of Cameroonian culture. While artists performed on the main stage, Pen Boy could be found at the exhibition stands, adorned with cowrie beads on his dreadlocks, neck, and ankles.
For him, the festival’s embrace of visual and craft arts was a key attraction. One stand that caught his attention was Delikate Clothing, which displayed handmade accessories crafted from African and natural materials, including caps, beads, and earrings.
“First of all, the person who made the heavens and the earth is an artist. That’s God, right?” Pen Boy remarked. “Looking at the way He made the trees, rivers, even human beings, you know that this person is an architect, a perfect artist. So everywhere art is being celebrated, I am a fan. I am a pioneer for everything art.”
Now in its fourth year, the week-long CIMFEST is held annually in Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region. It has grown rapidly, attracting over 10,000 music lovers and establishing itself as a cornerstone of the creative economy.
This year’s edition placed a strong emphasis on fusing arts and culture with entrepreneurship. Nicnoella Nguatem, the founder of Delikate Clothing, was a standout participant.
“The name ‘Delikate’ means things that you’re supposed to handle with care, not just because they are fragile, but because they were made with love since 2017,” Nguatem explained.
She expressed her delight at exhibiting at CIMFEST for the first time. “This year, we finally made it. We’ve gotten to meet a lot of people and are so grateful for the opportunity, for the awareness, and even just pushing ourselves. I’ve never done this kind of marketing before, myself and the team.”
The festival’s scope aligns with a broader UNESCO view of the music sector, which cuts across performance, recording, and distribution. It pulls together composers, musicians, producers, and technicians, linking tradition with innovation to strengthen cultural identity and promote dialogue.
Another innovative venture at the festival was ‘Canvas Painting with Fule’, where young people had the opportunity to express themselves through body painting or drawing on canvas. One participant, painting a design inspired by a blue ‘eye’ bead, explained her motivation: “It’s basically used for protection against evil. I drew it because I find it intriguing, so I did a little bit of research. I just love the whole concept, so that’s why I decided to draw it in its colours.” She added, “I find it calming, and whenever I’m drawing, I feel safe.”
According to the President of CIMFEST, Prince Enobi Michael, each edition aims to surpass the last through innovation. “This year, we’ve been able to upscale the festival and bring a lot of new innovations. CIMFEST this year is more about the experience. You go through the environment and everything; you notice that there’s a great experience here—at the level of the look and feel, the stage, and the artists.”
Looking ahead, the CIMFEST President stated that the event hopes to attract artists and music lovers from across Central Africa to Buea in the near future.
