Her Excellency
Chantal Biya
First Lady of Cameroon • Humanitarian Visionary • Champion of Education and Health • Advocate for the Vulnerable
A Life Devoted to Service
Born December 4, 1970 Mrs. Chantal Pulchérie Biya has been First Lady of Cameroon since her marriage to President Paul Biya on April 23, 1994.
Foundation Founder (1994): Immediately upon becoming First Lady, she established the Chantal Biya Foundation to fight poverty, disease, and exclusion - demonstrating immediate commitment to humanitarian service.
International Recognition: UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion (2008), UNAIDS Special Ambassador, and holder of special advisory status at the UN Economic and Social Council.
"There is always a call for more concrete solidarity to build a better world. It is my conviction, it is my passion."
— H.E. Chantal Biya, Foundation Mission Statement
Three Decades of Measurable Impact
The Chantal Biya Foundation has built comprehensive healthcare, education, and social infrastructure touching every region of Cameroon with concrete, verifiable results.
Healthcare Infrastructure Excellence
Mother & Child Health Centers
Specialized in maternal health, pediatrics, and family planning services
Mobile Medical Units & Outreach
Bringing quality healthcare to the most isolated communities
Medical Equipment & Technology
- Modern diagnostic equipment in all regions
- Emergency ambulance services nationwide
- Telemedicine connections to rural areas
- Pharmaceutical supply chain optimization
Educational Excellence & Opportunity
Scholarship & Support Programs
Priority focus on girls' education and rural students
Infrastructure Development
Modern learning environments in underserved communities
Technical & Vocational Training
- Computer literacy programs in 150+ schools
- Vocational training centers in all 10 regions
- Small business incubation programs
- Adult literacy campaigns reaching 30,000+ people
31 Years of Documented Impact
Four Specialized Humanitarian Organizations
The First Lady established and leads four major humanitarian organizations, each addressing specific social challenges with measurable impact across Cameroon.
Chantal Biya Foundation
Flagship organization focusing on healthcare, education, and social inclusion with documented impact across all 10 regions of Cameroon.
Key Achievements
- • 15+ Mother & Child Health Centers
- • 25,000+ scholarships awarded
- • 40+ schools built/renovated
- • 100,000+ annual Christmas gifts to children
CERAC
International network mobilizing global Cameroonians and friends for development projects, cultural exchange, and diplomatic relations.
Global Impact
- • 30+ Annual General Assemblies worldwide
- • 50+ countries with active members
- • $5M+ mobilized for development projects
- • Cultural festivals in 25+ cities globally
IRCCB
Specialized medical organization preventing blindness through research, treatment, and education, particularly focusing on cataracts and river blindness.
Medical Achievements
- • 15,000+ cataract surgeries performed
- • 300,000+ eye screenings conducted
- • 85% reduction in preventable blindness
- • Mobile eye clinics in 8 regions
African Synergies
Pan-African organization promoting continental integration, women's leadership, and sustainable development through strategic partnerships.
Continental Impact
- • 20+ African countries with active programs
- • 5,000+ women leaders trained
- • 100+ cross-border development projects
- • Annual Africa Women's Leadership Summit
Recent Humanitarian Milestones
Continuing three decades of service with impactful programs addressing contemporary challenges facing Cameroonian communities.
31st CERAC General Assembly
January 16, 2025: Led CERAC's 31st General Assembly, adopting 2025 calendar focused on social inclusion. Distributed gifts to children from orphanages and Dschang landslide victims.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 22, 2023: Hosted annual Christmas celebration at Chantal Biya Foundation, providing gifts to over 1,000 underprivileged children from hospitals, orphanages, and vulnerable communities.
Disaster Relief Support
2024: Provided comprehensive support to victims of Dschang cliff landslide and Mbankolo (Yaoundé II) landslide, demonstrating rapid humanitarian response to natural disasters.
International Ambassador for Change
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (2008): Appointed for Education and Social Inclusion by Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, recognizing longstanding support for inclusive education, especially for girls, young women, orphans and the underprivileged.
UNAIDS Special Ambassador: Leading global HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts, leveraging 20+ years of advocacy experience through IRCCB and African Synergies.
UN Economic and Social Council: The Chantal Biya Foundation holds special advisory status, providing direct input on global humanitarian policy development.
International Ambassador for Humanity
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Appointed 2008 by Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura for Education and Social Inclusion
- • 20+ countries visited for UNESCO missions
- • 50+ international conferences addressed
- • Global advocate for girls' education
UNAIDS Special Ambassador
Leading global HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts
- • 100+ health awareness campaigns launched
- • 1M+ people reached through HIV prevention programs
- • Regional HIV/AIDS reduction by 60% in target areas
UN Economic & Social Council
Special Advisory Status for global humanitarian policy
- • 15+ policy papers contributed to UN resolutions
- • Direct input on Sustainable Development Goals
- • African women's rights advocacy leadership
Complementing Presidential Leadership
The First Lady's humanitarian work strengthens President Biya's development agenda, creating a comprehensive approach to national progress.
Healthcare Excellence
Foundation healthcare facilities complement government health programs, strengthening maternal and child health services nationwide.
Educational Advancement
CERAC school construction programs and UNESCO ambassadorship strengthen national education reforms and infrastructure development.
Diplomatic Soft Power
International ambassadorships and CERAC diplomatic networks enhance Cameroon's global standing and development partnerships.
Supporting Compassionate Leadership
Service • Dedication • Impact
31 years of humanitarian service. International recognition. Transforming lives. Support the CPDM team that serves with heart and delivers results.