At launch of Digital Week: Minister enjoins nation to join digital transformation drive.

She made the call in Yaounde Wednesday August 30. Li Likeng was speaking while launching the week-long Digital Week ahead of the 2023 Digital Week billed to run from October 16 to 20. 

The ceremony was attended by the visiting Head of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, CTO, Bernadette Lewis.

Minister Li Likeng called on all and sundry including those in the administrative and telecommunications sectors, to effectively take part in the upcoming activities, stating that it will better reposition Cameroon in its drive toward effective digital transformation. 

“The Digital Week will focus on three key areas including the Cameroon Future Scheme and the Ministerial Parliamentary Seminar. These platforms will enable Cameroon to present itself as a country that is fully ready and currently focused on undergoing digital transformation at all levels,” the minister said.

“That is the reason why I am calling on all individuals, ministries, telecommunications companies, and everyone directly and indirectly involved in the ICT sector, to register and join us for this event. The future lies in digital transformation. That is why we do not want to be followers in the chain,” she continued. 

The presence of key authorities, Minister Li Likeng, said will enable officials to actively take part in activities like the Ministerial Parliamentary Seminar which is among others, aimed at bringing together key decision-makers capable of making the vital reforms needed to positively change the face of the ICT sector.

The Cameroon Future Scheme, the minister added, will give young people engaged in the field of ICT the opportunity to better showcase their talents and creativity in the field of ICT which will better contribute to a more improved betterment of the sector. 

The participation of stakeholders and young people in the outlined activities in the upcoming week-long event, the minister detailed, will enable give youths a chance to properly use their skills in contributing in the digital economy.

“As the Head of State stated, young people are more ready to use ICT tools but they are not in charge of making the decisions. This means that we need to demonstrate all the strengths of the society and enhance all that we are doing as a country. Everybody should get engaged so that the digital transformation of Cameroon becomes a reality,” she said. 

CTO pledges support to Cameroon 

In a statement during Wednesday’s launch of the 2023 Digital Week, the visiting Head of the Cameroon Telecommunications Organisation, Bernadette Lewis, pledged the structure’s support to the country.

Lewis said the CTO is fully ready to accompany the country financially to promote its digital transformational drive and its bid to have a vibrant digital economy.

“The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation is fully focused on cooperating with Cameroon in pushing through the transformation digital sector. The Cameroon Future Scheme and the Ministerial Parliamentary Seminars will be great platforms for us to address those issues for a start,” Lewis said.

“Those platforms will enable Cameroonian authorities to see what a digitally transformed and vibrant Cameroon will look like and even beyond that,” Lewis who had an audience with the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, added. 

The Secretary General described Cameroon as a model for countries in the sub-region in the field of capitalizing on opportunities offered by the digital economy. 

This, thereby pledging the CTO’s will to among others, support Cameroon in promoting social inclusion, the creation of decent jobs and the promotion of access to jobs through a digitally vibrant ICT