Ahead of Cameroon Digital Week: Minister says over 20 countries expected in Yaounde.

She made the declaration yesterday during a press conference ahead of the Cameroon Digital Week, which will be held under the theme: “Towards a Digital Future”. 

It will run from October 16 to 20 in the country’s capital city, Yaounde. The event is expected to bring together several stakeholders, including innovators, youths, women among others, considered as key players in the digital transformation of Cameroon.  

Minister Li Likeng said it will be an opportunity for Cameroon to further enhance its already appreciated ingenuity in the transformation of its ICT sector.

She stated that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a smooth unfolding of the five-day international gathering.

According to the minister, 20 of the 33 countries expected to show up for the upcoming digital week, have already indicated their presence.

“...In terms of registrations, out of the expected 33 delegations from Commonwealth member countries, more than 20 have already confirmed their participation,” Minister Li Likeng said. 

The minister said inter-ministerial committees have been set up at various levels to ensure a hitch-free organisation.

“To enable the government to effectively oversee all technical, security, social, and logistical aspects related to the organisation of the Cameroon Digital Week, an ad hoc inter-ministerial working group comprising all relevant eight government agencies has been established. All these teams are working diligently to ensure a harmonious organization,” the minister said. 

The event will be organised on the sidelines of the 61^st Council Meeting of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, CTO, scheduled for October 19 & 20. 

Minister Li Likeng’s exchange with the press, came after a working visit by the head of the CTO in August this year ahead of next month’s gathering. 

During the visit to Yaounde, the CTO Secretary General, Bernadette Lewis, said Cameroon is on the right path towards its digital transformation drive, stating the organisation’s readiness to accompany Cameroon on the journey.

Major activities outlined for event

Minister Li Likeng told reporters that four forums will be organised in the course of the event, among them, Women’s Forum, Building Blocks Forum, Youth Forum and Innovators Forum. 

The Building Blocks Forum, Minister Li Likeng said, will be dedicated to building the digital Cameroon of tomorrow through the exchange of ideas and networking. 

The Youth Forum will bring forth an avenue for the youth to discuss on new innovating ways to properly make use of opportunities offered by the internet. 

There will also be a Ministerial and Parliamentary seminar bringing together ministers and lawmakers to discuss and review the various ways the highly-valued goal of completely transforming Cameroon digitally could be attained. 

The main area of focus for the ceremony, according to Minister Li Likeng, will be the Cameroon Future Scape. 

The Cameroon Future Scape scheme centered on the theme “Living in a Digital Cameroon,” will be the main innovation of the upcoming event.  It will focus on a futuristic digital environment aimed at facilitating and enhancing excellent access to the internet.

Showcasing Cameroonian digital transformational ingenuity 

The P and T boss underlined that beyond its goal of improving the ICT sector, the upcoming Cameroon Digital Week, be an avenue to showcase what has already been done in the sector.

“The Cameroon Digital Week is a genuine opportunity to envision Cameroon's digital transformation and measure its positive impact on society as a whole,” she said. 

“Beyond strengthening our position within the Commonwealth and enhancing Cameroon's international 10 presence, the Cameroon Digital Week serves as a genuine showcase of Cameroonian ingenuity in the field of digital technology,” the minister stated.