To address challenges, ensure sector’s optimal dev’t: CAMTEL engages MPs to review, strengthen digital legal framework.

This was the focus of CAMTEL Parliamentarians' Day which the state corporation organised in Yaounde Tuesday June 25.

The event brought together members of the Parliamentary Network for Information and Communication Technologies, REPATIC, representatives of different state institutions, telecommunications actors, partners of CAMTEL among others. 

The strategic brainstorming event is part of a series of activities organised by CAMTEL since September 2023 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. 

It was held under the theme: "Digital Industry Legislation for the Structural Transformation of Cameroon's Economy".

Opening the event, the General Manager of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi, said the gathering was strategic as it enables the company and the lawmakers to address challenges associated with the digital sector.

She said the National Development Strategy 2020-2030, which operationalises the second phase of 2035 Emergence Vision, positions the digital sector as a fundamental axis of the structural transformation of Cameroon’s economy.

Challenges facing the digital sector despite its many assets, Judith Yah Sunday said, “calls for strategic action to ensure its optimal development” and “strengthening of the digital legal framework”. 

These challenges, the CAMTEL boss stated, includes data security, respect for privacy, digital infrastructure management. 

“Recurring concerns about data security and privacy breaches, on an international and even national scale, underline the urgent need for robust legal provisions governing the collection, processing and use of personal information in cyberspace. This should also ensure a balance between the development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and ethical and social considerations,” CAMTEL GM stated.

She added that effective management of digital infrastructures such as telecoms networks and critical IT systems, is essential to ensure the resilience and security of the economy and society as a whole. 

Judith Yah Sunday said digital infrastructures “must be regulated to ensure their availability, integrity and security in the face of cyber threats and malicious attacks”. 

She noted that clear and transparent rules also encourage innovation and investment in digital infrastructures especially in regulating anti-competitive business practices, promoting fair competition between market players and ensuring equitable access to digital resources.

Begs MPs front legal framework 

She appealed to lawmakers to front a legal framework that will enable the economy to thrive in an ever-changing digital environment. 

“That's why we stand by your side to support any effort to create an environment that fosters digital development while protecting the rights, interests and values of individual digital users and society as a whole,” she said. 

Judith Yah Sunday sounded upbeat that constructive dialogue with MPs will enable them federate forces towards “a safe, inclusive and prosperous digital future”. 

“We need to act together to ensure that our digital economy is not only globally competitive, but also sustainable and ethical,” she hoping for relevant recommendations at the end which will tie with the set objectives. 

Enter REPATIC president 

Speaking during the event, the President of the Parliamentary Network for ICTs, REPATIC, Hon Julien Bara, saluted the initiative of CAMTEL GM to review existing legal frameworks in the digital sector and brainstorm on how they can be amended to better fit the new digital era. 

He said Parliament accords a special attention to Cameroon’s digital transformation. Hon Bara said MPs have important role to play in the putting in place of public policies in digital transformation of the economy to better respond to the worries of citizens.  

To address the stakes and challenges of digitalisation, Hon Bara said Parliament has been multiplying meetings with telecoms and ICT actors through seminars, especially that held June 19, 2024, for the reinforcement of capacities parliamentarians on innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence, AI.  

He assured CAMTEL management of the their support to enable the corporation realise its vision and strategic plan as a central actor in the new digital ecosystem. 

“We parliamentarians notable, MPs and Senators, are happy to have restock and are ready to listen and work with you sincerely for the betterment of our nation,” REPATIC president said. 

He said through the event, they will identify the areas essential for intervention to be activated so as to guarantee an ecosystem that enables the country to attain the objectives of the SND30.

Zoom on objectives of the event 

The Technical Adviser No.1 at CAMTEL, Francis Ottou, briefed the lawmakers on the context and justification of the event.

He said the CAMTEL Parliamentarians’ Day aims to raise awareness among MPs on the challenges linked to digital development, and to draw their attention on the need to adapt laws in the face of the changes of the digital sector. 

Ottou said it is also to share with MPs, challenges of digital development in the context of structural transformation of the Cameroonian economy and the strategic role of CAMTEL in this regard.

He said inputs of experts during discussions shall enlighten participants not only on the impact of digital resources, but also on the impact of digital laws on the vitality of the national economy. 

MPs pledge to support CAMTEL

Speaking to reporters, REPATIC member, Hon Njume Peter Ambang, saluted the vision of CAMTEL GM for the development of Cameroon’s economy. 

He said for CAMTEL to succeed in its role in the economic evolution of the country, there is need for new laws.

“It is important for new laws to be put in place. That is why the GM has decided to work in collaboration with parliament for this to happen. We are behind her in this great vision. We going to accompany so that a new law that will improve digital economy will be put in place,” Hon Njume Ambang said. 

IHS Cameroon boss situates role of infrastructure sharing 

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, HIS Cameroon SA, Olufemi Arosanyin, hailed the great efforts of CAMTEL GM.

He said infrastructure is the foundation and heartbeat of digital economy in any country. Olufemi said in neighbouring Nigeria, there is a shortfall of over 100,000 kilometres of fibre that is needed to meet the gap of broadband penetration.

He, however, cited multiform actions and legal frameworks being put in place by the Nigerian government for the protection of infrastructure in the telecoms industry. 

Zoom on key presentations

The CAMTEL Parliamentarians’ Day featured two panel discussions. The first, moderated by varsity don, Prof Owona Nguini, touched on the development of digital technology in Cameroon.

It featured a presentation on the "development of digital technology in Cameroon in the context of the implementation of SND30: Legislative considerations and challenges" and another on "the role of Parliamentarians in the development of digital technology and the structural transformation of Cameroon's Economy".

The second session, moderated by the Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Transport, Prof Ongolo Zogo Valerie, handled the strategic governance of digital technology.

It featured a presentation from CAMTEL’s partner, Huawei, on international experiences with digital legislation and governance, drawing from the example of China. 

The last presentation was on analysis of the legal framework for digital infrastructure management and digital development in Cameroon.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3150 of Wednesday June 26, 2024