At the 17th Algiers International Comics Festival (Fibda), held on October 4, 2025, Cameroonian author and cartoonist Monthe Youmbi took the stage to explore the evolution of comics in his country, a ninth art still relatively unknown to the wider public. His conference, titled Cameroonian Comics, retraced the milestones of a scene that has undergone significant transformations over the decades.

According to Youmbi, the past few years have marked a turning point. «The comics scene really took off thanks to collectives, specialized magazines, and above all, the internet,» he explained. He reminded the audience that the first Cameroonian comic dates back to the 1950s, with Mukwapamba by Albert Mongita. «It’s older than people think, almost our equivalent of Scrooge McDuck,» he added with a smile.

The country witnessed a first wave of comic book activity in the 1950s, followed by what Youmbi calls a «second revolution» in 1995. This new era was driven by student collectives and saw both the quality and quantity of publications soar, with some print runs reaching an impressive 15,000 copies.

On the creative side, Youmbi presented his current project, Une femme à tout prix (A Woman at All Costs), a satirical social comedy that tackles success and gender norms. «I experiment with perspectives and layout to tell the story in a fresh way,» he said.

Beyond his work as an artist, Monthe Youmbi has played a key role in structuring the local industry. He is the founder of the Cameroonian Cartoonists Association (ABC), which has been publishing the quarterly KoualaBD since 2024. The association brings together several Cameroonian creators and actively promotes comics, caricature, and graphic arts.

He concluded by addressing young African artists directly: «Today, living off comics in Africa is no longer a dream. What’s needed is boldness, patience, and discipline.»