At official launch of Tower Kiosks in Yaounde: IHS Cameroon pledges 10 digital kiosks for communities in NW, SW.

The information was made known by IHS Cameroon at the official launch of the Tower Kiosks initiative, which took place at the Yaounde City Council hall on February 9.

The initiative, which is under the patronage of the Prime Minister Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, is a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, of IHS Cameroon, a subsidiary of IHS Towers. It is a company that owns, operates, and develops communications infrastructure.

Under the initiative, IHS Cameroon has committed to construct a total of ten kiosks in communities hosting their communication towers, five in the North West Region and five in the South West Region, by 2025.

As explained by the CEO of IHS Cameroon, Olufemi Arosanyin, these kiosks will empower and support the economic and social endeavours of local communities with several digital tools. 

With free internet access and other services, the kiosks will help support local businesses and entrepreneurs, and provide the digital infrastructure to facilitate e-commerce, e-education, e-health, and e-governance activities. 

“Through this initiative, we want to help bring new opportunities to communities in the North West and South West Regions. We hope the Tower Kiosk by IHS Cameroon initiative will provide the infrastructure for people to access online resources and better engage in public life. With the support of local and international NGOs, who will oversee the day to day running of each kiosk, our aim is to increase community confidence and participation,” the CEO said.

Officials react

Representing the Prime Minister at the launch, the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, while pointing out the digital disparities that exist between communities, especially those plagued by crisis, applauded the timeliness, and necessity of the initiative, to help bridge the digital gap that exists in these communities.

“Access to tech and infrastructure is no longer a privilege but a fundamental right. Digitalisation has created rapid unprecedented opportunities but also created a digital divide between those who have access and those who don’t. To achieve full digital inclusion for all, raising awareness and providing digital skills to citizens remain crucial. Hence, there has to close collaboration between government, private sector and civil societies to design innovative solutions that promote widespread adoption of digital technologies. Beyond providing connectivity, these kiosks are pivotal points for the country’s digital transformation especially in the rural zones,” she said.

The minister, while assuring stakeholders of government’s continuous support towards actions that stimulate widespread development of digital tools, called on other enterprises to join efforts in ensuring that everyone has access to digital tools, through civic initiatives that amplify their positive influence, strengthen social cohesion and promote sustainable development.

On his part, the Deputy General Manager of the National Mining Corporation, SONAMINE, Fru Jonathan, who is an elite from Santa, where one of the Tower Kiosks is operational, expressed gratitude to IHS Cameroon and explained that the kiosk has been welcomed by an excited population.

In addition to government support, partners of IHS Cameroon such as UNHCR Cameroon, also promised to provide necessary aid to this initiative. 

This is in a bid to protect the digital rights of over 5,000 refugees being hosted by the country as well as internally displaced persons.

IHS Cameroon CEO on Tower Kiosks Specificities 

As explained by the CEO IHS Cameroon, the Tower Kiosk is a 20 foot container customised internally to prevent overheating and ensure good ambience. It is built beside the Tower to ensure 24-hour electricity and free internet. 

However, Kiosks which are far from the tower will have solar panels with batteries installed, to ensure constant electricity. 

Inside the kiosk is a computer station with two computers with internet access, information and e-platforms for learning, health, commerce and so on. It also serves as a business centre where printing jobs can be done, especially students who can print and bind projects at lower rates.

The kiosk as, a revenue-generating activity, has a corner with shelves, to serve as a provision store. Commodities will be provided by IHS Cameroon for the first 90 days with hope that the shop keeper can restock from acquired capital and continue with the sustainability of the kiosk. Farmers can also display their produce on these shelves.

There is also a charging port for gadgets and a viewing centre, with a smart television connected to satellite, for information and entertainment. Inhabitants can watch TV together as a community, fostering solidarity and social cohesion.

In terms of security, the CEO assured that the kiosks are not just placed at random locations. They collaborated with communities, who pointed out secured locations, and ensured security for the kiosks.

He mentioned that they worked with community cooperatives to ensure the kiosk keeper is of good repute and trusted, who can also do book keeping and assure revenue to make the kiosk sustainable.

The CEO added that Government can also acquire community data and statistics from the different e-platforms available.

The first kiosk was installed in Santa on December 14, 2023. The 2nd will be installed in Idenau in the days ahead and 3rd in Tombel, days after.

Each kiosk is estimated to have a reach of over 5,000 persons, and as explained by IHS Cameroon, its CSR plans for the North West and South West Regions aim at providing support to government efforts at creating stability and economic revamp of these two Regions.