To boost diplomacy: External relations ministry launches construction of digital centre.

The new centre, upon completion, will be a four-storey building, designed following hi-tech standards and in respect of environmental guidelines. The construction works, the minister said, will last 12 months.

The works will be done by Cote d’Ivoire-based company, Impact Palmares R&D SAS. The launch of the works comes over two years since the partnership agreement for the construction of the facility was signed between the Ministry of External Relations and the company. This was on April 1, 2022.

Making real Head of State’s visions

According to Minister Mbella Mbella, the launch of works on the digital centre is part of President Biya’s vision to boost Cameroon’s already flourishing digitalisation efforts.

The minister urged the company officials to ensure work is done according to standard and delivered within the agreed period.

He was emphatic that: “I challenge you to do the work diligently so that the Head of State’s dream will come true”. Minister Mbella Mbella expressed hope that by this time next year, the structure should be inaugurated.

Impact Palmares boss, Giresse Tela, on his part thanked the government and promised to deliver the structure on time. 

Tela said money needed for the construction of the structure is already available. Technical works of effective construction to takeoff, he also said, have been completed.

About the digital centre

The centre is expected to have multiple ultramodern facilities. Top amongst them, according to the Ministry of External Relations, will be a state-of-the-art processing centre. 

This, he said, will be dedicated to processing and safeguarding the storage of all the data of the ministry and other relevant services.

The building will also have an ultramodern training room. The minister said it will be used for capacity-building and other purposes.

The facility will also have an ICT laboratory, a call centre operating 24 hours every day. The centre, Mbella Mbella said, will address the concerns of users of consular services, Cameroonians abroad and foreigners in Cameroon.

The facility will also have a management unit for the supply, storage and distribution of consular service equipment, consumables and printed materials within and without the country.

Centre to position Cameroon as pacesetter in diplomacy

According to Minister Mbella Mbella, the Digital Transformation Centre once completed, will put Cameroon at the apex of modern diplomacy globally.

He described the project as a demonstration of President Biya’s desire to bring diplomatic administration closer to the people. 

The member of government also indicated that the centre will help in maintaining country’s sovereignty, secure consular data, modernise internal operations, streamline consular procedures and speed up work.

The electronic visa, eVisa Cameroon platform, is expected to be the highest beneficiary of the structure. The centre, he said, will enable users to get their visas done within 24 to 48 hours. 

“Since the launch of the eVisa platform, we have experienced an impressive rise in the number of persons visiting Cameroon. With the coming of this centre, we expect that number to increase and several other positive changes,” the minister stated.