ActiveSpaces launches mobile markerspace tech caravan for local communities.

The event was held at the esplanade of the Douala IV council in Bonasama. It was attended by the representatives of the Mayor of Douala IV, the French Institute, Accent Media, Clean Energy Service amongst others. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director of ActiveSpaces, Steve Tchoumba, said he was pleased to see the fulfillment of a project which has been in gestation for two years now.

Tchoumba said the ceremony at the Douala IV municipality was a decisive step "in our commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and access to technology in the most remote and disadvantaged regions".

The Mobile Makerspace aims to reveal the diversity of digital professions, encourage local entrepreneurship, promote digital inclusion and awaken young people's interest in technological innovation. 

The Mobile Makerspace has been built on a 40-feet container and equipped with every necessary technological equipment and digital manufacturing tools which will allow young tech enthusiats to easily realise a project idea in all comfort.

The vision to make technology mobile, according to Steve Tchoumba, is so that those who must be trained, be they underprivileged, displaced persons, unemployed youths, peripheral residents, should have the opportunity to explore their talents notwithstanding where they are.

In recent years, investing in the digital innovation sector has been seen as a driving force for development, economic growth.

According to the World Bank, more than 3.5 billion people still do not have access to the Internet and 90% of them belong to developing countries like Cameroon. 

Digital innovation is all the more complex as 43% of the population resides in rural areas.

Thus, access to digital technology in rural areas for the already disadvantaged young people is all the more complicated from the base. 

Moreover, schools in such areas, computer training is considered less important or even non-existent.

Observers say, the COVID-19 crisis has revealed significant disparities in terms of access to digital infrastructure in these areas. Young people from these areas are particularly vulnerable in the job market due to lack of digital skills. 

However, the introduction of the 'Mobile Markerspace' in the Cameroonian context was described by the Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural Action at the French Embassy, Yann Lorvo, as a move towards digital inclusion

The caravan, stationed at councils of selected communities across the national triangle, will offer opportunities for retraining via digital technology, promote professional integration of young people, facilitate access to new technologies, promote the diversity of digital technologies among remote populations, promote the re-eyeing of electronic/electrical equipment, train the populations on the importance of soft skills in academic and professional program amongst others.