Cameroon engages int’l partners to boost internet connectivity, utilisation.

This was during a forum to discuss ways through which sustainable and affordable internet can be provided for unconnected and underserved communities in Francophone Africa.

The forum which was opened by the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Libom Li Likeng, saw 30 participants schooled on multiple life-changing technics in the domain of internet connectivity.

Discussions during the forum held under the theme: “Complementary connectivity solutions to address the digital divide in Francophone Africa”.

Participants were drilled on the various guides for selecting and designing last-mile connectivity solutions. There was also a review of middle and last-mile connectivity options which are both key elements for selecting affordable and sustainable connectivity solutions.

According to organisers, particular attention will paid to improving the design and completion of works in the last-mile connectivity chain, one of the final and most important components in the functionality of optic fibers after installations.

Speaking after the opening of the forum, the head of the International Telecommunication Union for Central Africa and Madagascar, Jean Jacques Massima lauded the initiative.

He said the come together will bring about practical solutions to facilitating the effective installations of optic fibers and other facilities.

“The focus is to better the quality of connectivity. We have situations where optic fibers go through villages or communities but the one final kilometer that will enable the locals to use the facility is not installed which makes the whole thing inaccessible,” Massima stated.

Experts in the Yaounde forum discussed new technologies that can be used in doing the final connections. The representative of the Association for Progressive Communication, Josephine Miliza praised the initiative. 

Miliza said it was an opportunity for other countries including Cameroon, to tap from the experiences of other nations that have experimented the internet connectivity scheme for underserved communities.

The ongoing project falls in line with similar activities carried out in other parts of the African continent and beyond including the likes of Kenya and Botswana.  The workshop is co-organized by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, the Association for Progressive Communication, APC, and German development structure, GIZ.

Strategic digital transformation tool

According to Minister Libom Li Likeng, the initiative is timely. She stated that the outcome of discussions at the workshop will play a pivotal role in accompanying Cameroon in its vision of becoming a digitally vibrant nation.

“This forum is important for us because Cameroon is engaged in digital transformation. It is the government’s wish to see rural areas and other underserved communities getting connected,” the government official said.

To her, the discussions at the forum will add up to other massive investments carried out by the government of Cameroon geared towards realising a full digital transformation by 2030.

Among other things, she emphasised that the positives of such developments will be felt through aspects like e-commerce and e-medicine facilitated by accessible, sustainable and affordable internet services.

“The aim of carrying out this project is not only about connecting villages or rural zones. It is aimed at ensuring users connect with the objective of attaining a particular goal. What we want is that when someone gets connected to ICT tools, it should be to have an added value,” the minister told reporters.