‘Pan-African Fabric Cameroon Designer Competition’ reveals winner
The ‘Pan-African Fabric Cameroon Designer Competition’, hosted by multiple award-winning Cameroonian visual artist and painter, Shiri Achu Art, has announced Muks’Couture as the winner of its first design competition. The designer has earned the opportunity to represent Cameroon at the upcoming Pan-African Fabric Grand Showcase in Washington, D.C., later this year.
The announcement was made on January 19, 2026, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Muks’Couture emerged victorious through a transparent, multi-stage judging process. This process included live runway evaluations from a fashion show held in Cameroon on December 27, public voting, and scores from a panel of experts.
The competition featured three finalists. They were evaluated on several key criteria including creativity and originality, craftsmanship and finish, interpretation and use of the ‘first Pan-African fabric’ by Shiri Achu Art officially launched on 25 April 2025, cultural relevance and storytelling, and overall presentation.
The final combined scores were as follows: Muks’Couture received 54.1%, EBOH Design received 27.3%, and Kolo Designz received 18.6%. The judging breakdown allocated 50% to live runway judging, 25% to public voting, and 25% to a distinguished panel of seven judges.
The panel comprised fashion industry professionals, cultural experts, and Pan-African creatives. “This competition was created to spotlight Cameroonian talent while honouring the depth and diversity of Pan-African fabric and storytelling,” said Achu, “The quality of work presented by the designers was exceptional!”
The Pan-African Fabric is described as the world’s first of its kind. It incorporates cultural symbols from multiple African nations to celebrate shared heritage, unity, and creativity. Its launch last year in Washington, D.C. served as a tribute to Africa’s collective identity.
The launch featured an impressive list of distinguished guests including Cameroon’s Ambassador H.E. Henri Etoundi Essomba from Cameroon; Ambassador of the African Union, H.E. Hilda Suka Mafudze; Miss Africa USA; Miss Eritrea Universe; esteemed Madam Jan Du Plain; Professor Victor Mbarika; and Council woman Wala Blegay.
Muks’Couture, a vibrant clothing brand based in Yaoundé and founded by Mukwusu Mercy Ntsiih, will join designers from across the continent at the Grand Showcase.
The event highlights African fashion, craftsmanship, heritage, cultural expression, and innovation through the use of this unifying fabric. The competition and showcase aim to promote African designers and foster continental unity through artistic expression.
For media inquiries, interviews, or images, contact Shiri Achu Art at info@shiriachuart.com or via Instagram at @thepanafricanfabric and @shiriachuart.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is the Managing Editor of theafricandream.net, a pan-African news website subsidiary of US-based TheAfricanDream LLC. He is also a Human Resource Practitioner, and a freelance Graphics Designer. He has worked with prominent personalities, including ambassadors, secretariats, international organisations, universities, celebrities, NGO, and media firms.
