Profile
Bamenda Handicraft Cooperative Society Ltd is a non-profit making organization, which was established in 1964 by American peacecorp volunteers, who had an Interest in Fostering Handicraft Production in Bamenda and sell the hand made Products.

At the time of its establishment, the area had no industries or major economic activity, and could only rely on the skills of craftsmen who created beautiful African crafts that needed to be sold more profitably.

The name Bamenda Handicraft means that most of the crafts found in their shop are mostly a collection from Bamenda (the North West province of Cameroon). The production centers are in Bali, Bafut, Njah-Etu, Oku, Babungo, Bamessing, Big Babanki, Small Babanki, Urban A and Urban B all in the North West Province.

The mission and vision of the organization is to enhance and encourage the cultural heritage of the North West Province of Cameroon through quality craft production.

Goal and objectives of Bamenda organizations is to improve the living standard of craftsmen and women by pooling their resources and to promote the exportation of Cameroonian crafts

At Bamenda Handicraft they produce Masks, Musical instruments, Bags, House Hold decorations, Dolls, Baskets among others, the quality of their products is determined from the sales report they receive from their customers both at home and foreign markets. This is also attested through their participations at Trade Fairs. Two months is what they take to deliver consignments to their international buyers, particularly of products to be shipped by sea. For air freight it takes just about a week to deliver the merchandise to the customer.

Artisans work in a very safe condition, for example they provide their producers with production centers, which have good lighting systems and good drinking water. Their producers always put on protective clothing like the overall gear.

Through Fair Trade Bamenda has been able to sell many of it products through the Northern Fair Trade buyers in Italy Spain, Germany and the U.S. it has also been able to attend some International Trade Fairs, like the International Trade Fair that was in Burkina Faso in Nov 2006.

The strengths of Bamenda Handicraft is that through their efforts the marginalized producers are able to send their children to good schools provide medication to themselves and shelter.

Way forward for Bamenda handicraft is to look for more markets for their producers, hence increasing their sales value, and to ensure that producers come out with good quality products.