The amount is the result of a fund-raising project initiated by private individuals and a number of public figures, among them senators and ministers.

More than 300 shops were destroyed in the last fire incident in Bamenda’s main market. It occurred last February 2024. In assessing the damage, authorities estimated it to be in the billions of CFA francs. In order to assist the victims, several elites and other public figures launched a fundraising campaign coordinated by Senator Regina Mundi, Minister Mbah Acha Rose and Minister Felix Mbayu. Fai Yengo Francis and Edwin Fongod are also part of this group. Other donors include Minister Paul Atanga Nji.

Together with other individuals, they collected a sum of 43 million CFA francs. This sum will be distributed to the various victims. The relief effort will not stop there. The President of the Social Democrat Fund, Honourable Joshua Osih, also announced his party’s donation.  North West region Governor, Adolphe Lélé L’Afrique, speaking on behalf of the government, announced further aid for the victims: “Unfortunately, close to 300 shops have been destroyed by the fire. This is still a provisional figure. We are waiting for the commission’s exact figures. There will be help for the victims, and they will have to be ready to go to the commission and declare the contents of their shops, because we will see how the government can help them.”

The Bamenda main market is the largest market in the North West region. Most shop owners have never taken out an insurance policy, according to media reports.