At close of workshop: Gov’t stakeholders drum implementation of national AI strategy.

The workshop among other things focused on schooling State institutions on the need to embrace AI data protection and harmonise government actions on the digital tool. 

It took place under the theme: “Responsible artificial intelligence in Cameroon: protecting citizens, regulating uses and building digital trust”.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform, Joseph Le, and the Director of the Telecommunications Development Bureau of the International Telecommunications Union, Dr Cosmas Zavazava,

Multiple major recommendations 

Speaking while closing the gathering, Minister Libom Likeng said it enabled stakeholders to spot loopholes that must be addressed.

She said to find lasting solutions to the multiple challenges; participants outlined several major orientations that should be followed to attain the targeted results.

The member of government said the topmost orientation that was outlined in the course of the workshop is the need for major adjustments on governance and ethics issues relating to the AI tool.

She said the stakeholders spotted the urgent need to finalize and implement the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy which has as aim to promote the overall development of the novel digital tool in the country.

Beyond the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy where work originally began some two years ago with consultations, Minister Libom Likeng said officials also drummed the need to “establish effective inter-ministerial coordination, and set up a dedicated institutional mechanism for AI governance”.

She said the stakeholders agreed that such adjustments will further boost the governance and ethics around the digital tool in Cameroon while efforts are also made to follow other recommendations like that which “emphasised that automated decisions must remain under human responsibility, with transparent and explainable algorithms”.

Boosting infrastructure 

According to the minister, stakeholders in the course of the two-day gathering, also emphasised on the need for efforts to be made in boosting Cameroon’s infrastructure and digital sovereignty. 

She said participants insisted on the development of a national infrastructure, notably data centers and local cloud solutions. She said they also highlighted the legal protection of data produced in the country and the reinforcement of cybersecurity within administrations.

Human capital…

According to Minister Libom Likeng, participants also recommended the need to boost the technical capacities of agents in the public sector and take similar steps in adapting schools, universities and professional training to the professions of Artificial Intelligence.

The need for an improvement in the energy sector was also highlighted during the workshop, according to the member of government said.

The minister said in her closing address that it was noted that the availability of stable electricity supply which is considered indispensable for the continuous operation of digital public services, is a determining requirement that must be met for the deployment of AI across state institutions.

Other recommendations

Other recommendations that the member of government said were highlighted at the end of the Yaounde gathering include citizens relations and local innovations.

Minister Libom Likeng revealed that the workshop encouraged the development of a national innovation ecosystem.

The recommended development of national innovation ecosystem, the minister said, is aimed at ensuring a move from a logic of consuming foreign solutions to “a dynamic of local design by notably supporting startups and small and medium sized enterprises in the tech sector and directing usage toward high-impact social sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and public administration”.

On citizens relation, the minister said it was highlighted that: “AI must improve the relationship between the administration and the citizen by facilitating access to public services, reducing territorial inequalities, and fostering more inclusive governance hence the need to educate citizens on the responsible and critical use of AI.”

Plans to build on solid foundation

The member of government said the recommendations that were made by participants will upon implementation, add to the multiple efforts that the state of Cameroon has been making over the years under the leadership of Head of State Paul Biya and Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngut, to enhance the use of the AI in Cameroon.

“A technology of this magnitude cannot be mastered by a single ministry. It requires a shared understanding, a common culture, and permanent coordination between institutions to achieve the expected results,” she added, while buttressing the need for broad-based efforts to boost best practices on the use of the digital tool across state institutions.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3709 of Friday February 20, 2026