Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
The session took place at the Mont Febe Hotel in Yaounde, political capital of Cameroon on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. It was the main activity of the CAMTEL Digital Sovereignty Day that was placed on the theme “Digital Sovereignty: Strategic Challenge in the Transformation of the Structure of Cameroon’s Economy”.
The deliberations were chaired by the General Manager of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi.
“CAMTEL being the hand of the government in terms of telecommunications, it was important we sit down with all the stakeholders and discuss on what are the relevant activities that CAMTEL should put in place in order to secure cyberspace and internet governance in the country,” Judith Yah told reporters.
Deliberations during the Digital Sovereignty Day centred around stakes and challenges of digital sovereignty in the era of digital development and the context of the National Development Strategy NDS30.
Key attention was also given to the protection of public administrative digital data, and how digital technology contributes in speeding up the performance of public institutions.
The idea was to develop public policies to protect and ensure constant control of data which grows daily.
CAMTEL equally seized the opportunity to present its contributions in taking stock of digital dependence of administrations and available risks.
“With the global presence of multinationals, it is important that Cameroon protects its cyberspace and makes sure that data concerning Cameroonians and the economy are safeguarded,” CAMTEL’s GM said.
Experts at the session revealed that for Cameroon to succeed in achieving digital sovereignty, “Strategies should be put in place to incorporate the integrated objectives of neighbouring nations”.
“Cameroon has the technological infrastructure, but it’s not enough. To reinforce digital sovereignty, we need to integrate the needs of neighbouring nations,” says Dr. Denis Ngae, Head of Divisions for Projects Studies, Prospection and Strategic Planning, MINPOSTEL
Participants at the CAMTEL Digital Sovereignty Day came from ministries like; the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Post and Telecommunications, External Relations, Territorial Administration, Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Public Health, including institutions like ANTIC, DGSN, just to name but these.
The CAMTEL Digital Sovereignty Day, took place within the framework of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the telecom operator that is celebrated since September 2023.
