GETEC 2026: Customs showcases digital reforms, career opportunities to students.

According to information published by the Directorate General of Customs, its participation focuses on public awareness and explaining the role of customs to students, entrepreneurs and other visitors. 

At its exhibition stand, customs officials are presenting the administration's missions, reforms, field operations and contribution to State revenue.

Officials are also explaining the institution's role in promoting legitimate economic activities, protecting society and contributing to national security.

According to the customs department, particular attention is being placed on technological reforms introduced to digitalise customs procedures. 

It cited Cameroon Customs Information System, CAMCIS, which is used in customs clearance procedures. Officials are also presenting the geolocation system used to track goods in transit to hinterland countries.

Visitors are equally being introduced to COSMOS, an application used to verify whether imported vehicles have effectively undergone customs clearance. 

The administration is also explaining its electronic mechanism for collecting customs duties and taxes on imported mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices.

According to the Directorate General of Customs, simplified customs procedures aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship and import substitution are also being presented during the fair. 

Officials are using text, audiovisual material and direct exchanges to explain the different systems to visitors.

The customs administration is also presenting information on its revenue performance and field operations. These include seizures of illicit goods and narcotics by operational units and the special HALCOMI III mission.

The Customs department equally explained that the exhibition is also serving as a career orientation platform for students. Customs officials are explaining the different professions within the administration and the procedures for joining the service. 

Access includes official competitive examinations organised through the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform.

Fair spotlights youth-led innovation

GETEC 2026 has brought together students from public and private higher education institutions to showcase innovations and entrepreneurial projects. The fair was officially opened on August 11, by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo.

This year's event is being organised under the theme: “The Entrepreneurial University at the Heart of the SND30”. 

During the opening, Prof Fame Ndongo said the programme is aimed at professionalising university education and strengthening the University-Enterprise concept. 

The official added that it also seeks to support projects developed in university laboratories, incubators and technological structures. 

It emerged from the opening ceremony that twenty-two young entrepreneurs who have already developed projects with government funding are among those being highlighted under the initiative.

The Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts has announced FCFA 450 million in support for student entrepreneurs taking part in GETEC 2026. 

The assistance is expected to cover equipment acquisition, compliance with standards, certification and protection of innovations.

In 2025, the ministry provided FCFA 420 million to 22 winners of the seventh edition. The funding was intended to develop their Junior Enterprises and strengthen production capacity.

According to the Ministry of Higher Education, projects previously supported through the initiative are expected to create 900 direct and indirect jobs and generate more than FCFA 1.5 billion in turnover.

GETEC 2026 also features exhibitions, educational talks and training sessions. Students are using the event to showcase innovations, products and entrepreneurial projects developed within higher education institutions.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3878 of Friday August 14, 2026