Penja pepper int'l festival set to generate economic benefits.

It will run from June 24 to 26, 2025. The festival will be held under the theme: "Let's discover the authenticity of Penja Pepper”. 

The Festi-Poivre De Penja-2025 is aimed at bringing together consumers and professionals, and to highlight the quality work carried out by all those involved in the industry. It is also aimed at ensuring that Penja pepper remains the best pepper in the world.

The event, organised by the Representative Group of the Penja Pepper Protected Geographical Indication, GR-IGPP, has as aim to generate economic benefits both within Cameroon and internationally by showcasing the four varieties of locally grown pepper, including white, black, red, and green pepper and their distinct flavours.

Penja pepper, which has gained recognition globally for its flavour, specifically denotes a fresh packaged product originating from the pepper plant cultivated within a clearly defined geographical area in Cameroon. 

With validation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the African Intellectual Property Organisation, OAPI, the production of the pepper, observes strict specifications for a better output. 

Widely regarded as one of the world's finest peppers for its seasoning properties and enduring flavours, Penja pepper was the first product in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve Protected Geographical Indication, PGI, status granted by OAPI in 2013. 

The recognition was further solidified in 2022 with the European Union's validating the PGI status, making the prestigious labelling gain significant boost in the product's market value. 

According to GR-IGPP, the production to packing of the pepper has provided employment for over 2,000 men and women, with the price of one kilogramme of the Penja pepper surging from 3,000 FCFA in 2008 to 20,000 FCFA in 2022, marking a massive increase over a 14-year period.

In a publication made public by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, MINADER, the festival is also to help differentiate Penja pepper from the common peppers on the market, in order to avoid the trap of fraud and counterfeiting. 

MINADER also added that the festival will benefit from an economic contribution to the sector, ensure the professionalisation and sustainability, promote the intrinsic values of Penja pepper, enhance the know-how of its producers, showcase planting, production, harvesting and special treatment processes.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3457 of Tuesday May 27, 2025