Experts push for access, skills, innovation to bridge digital divide.

It was organized by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute, CEPI, of the Henri Kouam Foundation, in partnership with the Free Tech Institute of Burundi and Solidarity for Integral Development, SADI, of DR Congo.

It was placed under the theme “The role of digital freedom in promoting innovation and prosperity in Africa”. 

The webinar was aimed at examining how digital freedom can stimulate innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and accelerate economic development on the continent, while identifying the main obstacles to Africa’s digital transformation.

The panel consisted of CEPI Executive Director, Henri Kouam; Co-founder of Burundi’s Free Tech Institute, Barakana Guy-Eudes, and the Executive Director of DR Congo’s SADI, Danny Bazhire.

CEPI’s National Coordinator, Haiwang Djamo, who opened the session, noted that Africa is undergoing rapid digital transformation but continues to face major challenges such as limited internet access, inadequate digital infrastructure, inequalities in access to technology, and fragmented regulatory frameworks. 

He emphasized that addressing these challenges is essential to making the digital revolution a true driver of prosperity.

According to CEPI Executive Director digital freedom is not just about accessing the internet, but also about enabling citizens to start businesses, innovate, and develop solutions tailored to African realities.

Kouam noted that in Cameroon, companies such as Yango, Jumia, and Bayam are already demonstrating the digital economy’s potential to create jobs and stimulate entrepreneurship.

Noting that majority of Cameroon’s population are youth, he regretted most of these young people still do not make sufficient use of digital tools for productive purposes. 

SADI’s Executive Director noted that the situation digital divide in Cameroon is largely similar to that of the DR Congo. 

While social media and digital tools offer significant opportunities for wealth creation, Bazhire lamented that they remain underutilized, especially in rural areas where a large portion of the population remains excluded. 

“Young people must learn to use digital technologies to develop businesses, access international markets, and acquire new skills, rather than using them solely for entertainment purposes,” Bazhire said.

For his part, Barakana emphasized that the digital divide remains a major obstacle in several African countries. He noted that in Burundi, the low internet penetration rate significantly limits the opportunities offered by digital technology.

He also argued that African innovations, such as mobile money developed in Kenya, demonstrate the possibility of the continent to create technological solutions tailored to local realities rather than relying exclusively on foreign models.

The panelists were in accord of the continent’s need for more developers, cybersecurity experts, and information technology specialists to meet the challenges of the digital economy.

The experts were equally unanimous that public policies must promote broader access to technology, develop digital skills, and foster an environment conducive to innovation. 

In addition, governments were called upon to invest more in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, strengthen training for young people in digital professions and emerging technologies, support startups and incubators through improved access to financing and develop African digital infrastructure to strengthen digital sovereignty.

The need to establish regulatory framework conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship was also encouraged. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3891 of Thursday August 27, 2026