Francine Lewat won Cameroon’s National Barista Championship 2026, taking the top prize at the close of the three-day competition on Jan. 14 in Douala, according to organizers.

The event, held at the headquarters of the National Cocoa and Coffee Board, brought together 18 baristas from coffee houses, hotels, and specialty brands across the country.

It was organized from Jan. 12 to 14 in partnership with the African Fine Coffee Association as part of efforts to strengthen professional standards and expand local coffee consumption.

Lewat, who works at La Maison du Café in Yaoundé, improved on a fifth-place finish at the inaugural championship in January 2025.

She credited her performance to structured preparation and technical training sessions provided by the board ahead of the competition.

Cynthia Lobe Ndedi of Terrific Coffee placed second, while Patrick Aimé Kollo of Hotel La Falaise Bonapriso finished third.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NCCB Director General Michael Ndoping said the championship forms part of a broader strategy to organize Cameroon’s coffee value chain, promote domestic consumption, and identify new talent, with a focus on young professionals and women.

Beyond the national title, the top three finalists will represent Cameroon at the Africa Barista Championship scheduled for Feb. 4 to 6, 2026, in Addis Ababa.

The continental contest will take place alongside the African Coffee Conference and Exhibition organized by AFCA.

Organizers said the 2026 edition also reflected growing collaboration between public institutions and private sector actors in Cameroon’s coffee industry, as well as rising interest in specialty coffee professions across the country.