ANTIC, The Change Engine strengthening digital finance ecosystem.

The three-day event, which opened on Wednesday, November 12, in Douala, seeks to deepen collaboration between government, startups, and the private sector in building a resilient digital economy.

It is held under the theme: “Security, Regulation and Strategic Partnerships for a Resilient FinTech Ecosystem”. This year’s edition focuses on the digitalisation of Cameroon’s financial systems — a rapidly evolving sector that sits at the intersection of technology, innovation, and national development.

In her opening remarks, the CEO of The Change Engine and co-organiser of Digitise Cameroon, Helen Manyi Arrey, reflected on the initiative’s seven-year journey and the skepticism she faced while building up strategies 

“Cameroon is not just the land or the stones or the hills,” she said, adding that: “Cameroon is you and me. If we believe that we have solutions that can change our country, then we owe it to ourselves and to our children to do whatever it takes to move it forward”. 

She emphasised that technology must be viewed not merely as a trend or a source of profit but as a tool for building the Africa we want. 

“Technology is about creating the kind of Africa we want to see,” she said. 

“No single individual or organisation can make things work; it requires a joint-stakeholder approach and win-win partnerships that serve both innovators and the nation,” Manyi Arrey went on, stressing on the role fintect plays in nation building 

ANTIC's role in fostering trust 

Addressing participants, ANTIC Director General, Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw, underlined the agency’s role in fostering trust, security, and compliance within Cameroon’s expanding digital finance landscape. 

“People will not engage in online financial transactions if they are not assured of the security of their money,” he noted.

“Our mission at ANTIC is to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation of transactions by auditing fintech systems and certifying their compliance with international standards,” Prof Ebot Ebot added. 

He added that with mobile phone penetration now exceeding 80% and the value of digital transactions projected to surpass 2,600 billion FCFA in 2025, ensuring the security and reliability of fintech platforms has become a national priority.

Quoting from the government’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030, Prof. Ebot stressed that digital transformation lies at the heart of Cameroon’s growth vision. 

“Fintech has become not only an opportunity but a necessity,” he said, while calling for stronger public-private partnerships, enhanced cybersecurity, and an inclusive framework for innovation.

Prof Ebot Ebot highlighted the evolution of fintech from basic online payment systems to a complex ecosystem encompassing Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, online banking, and mobile money. 

He said with this growth comes the need for confidence and trust in digital transactions as “Without trust, nobody would freely participate in online financial interactions”. 

However, he said ANTIC ensures platform resilience through rigorous security audits that identify vulnerabilities and provide corrective measures. 

Companies that meet these standards receive a Certificate of Compliance, signaling to users, investors, and partners that their systems are secure.

Balancing regulation with innovation

Prof Ebot Ebot stressed that regulation should empower rather than hinder fintech growth. By simplifying procedures, offering technical guidance, and organising capacity-building workshops, ANTIC helps startups integrate compliance into their business models, making regulation an enabler of sustainable growth rather than a barrier.

Moving with the steam, Helen Manyi Arrey stressed that a resilient fintech ecosystem requires more than regulation and technology; it demands strategic partnerships. 

Collaboration between government agencies, financial regulators, telecom operators, banks, fintech startups, and academic institutions are vital to create a secure and innovative environment. 

“This is about creating an environment where fintech startups can innovate, banks can operate securely, and users can trust the system,” she said.

As such, she said international partnerships help align Cameroon’s fintech security standards with global best practices, support interoperability, and promote knowledge transfer.

Strong academia–industry collaboration, she noted, will ensure that digital skills development aligns with market needs, building a workforce ready to manage and secure fintech platforms.

Empowering the next generation

The seminar also focuses on developing digital skills among young Cameroonians, including cybersecurity, risk management, data analytics, and system administration. By equipping the workforce with these skills, the event contributes to the creation of a sustainable and innovative fintech ecosystem.

As the nation's fintech sector grows, experts say the pillars of security, regulation, and collaboration are essential to protecting users, fostering innovation, and ensuring financial inclusion.

Digitise Cameroon 2025 demonstrated that with strategic oversight, robust cybersecurity, and multi-stakeholder engagement, the country is laying the foundation for a trusted, resilient, and inclusive digital financial future.

“By empowering startups, strengthening regulations, and building cybersecurity confidence, Cameroon is ensuring that fintech not only grows but thrives sustainably,” Prof Ebot Ebot stated.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3624 of Friday November 14, 2025