Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
In a rapidly digitizing world where innovation is fast becoming the currency of progress, experts are warning that countries like Cameroon and Burundi risk being left behind not for lack of talent, but for lack of structure.
That was the central takeaway from a high-level webinar held on February 27, 2026, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to confront a pressing question: how can these two nations unlock their dormant tech potential?
Organized by the Cameroon Economic Policy Institute in collaboration with the Free Tech Institute, the virtual gathering went beyond routine discussions. It painted a vivid picture of two countries standing at a digital crossroads, rich in ideas, yet constrained by systems that struggle to keep pace with innovation.
Moderating the session, Haiwang Djamo set the tone early, describing the tech sector as a powerful engine for job creation and economic inclusion. But his message carried a warning: without urgent reforms, that engine may never fully start.
Across both countries, he noted, systemic challenges such as from weak infrastructure to limited financing which continue to suffocate promising ideas before they can grow.
What followed was a candid exchange among panelists who know the terrain firsthand. Barakana Guy and Advaxe Ndayisenga, alongside Henri Kouam, did not mince words. Their assessment was clear: policy gaps and poor implementation are holding the tech ecosystem hostage.
“In Cameroon, the irony is striking—policies exist, but enforcement remains weak,” says Henri Kouam.
The situation in Burundi is even more foundational, with the digital sector still in its infancy and lacking a solid legal backbone. Across both contexts, young innovators, arguably the most critical drivers of change, remain largely excluded from policy conversations that shape their future.
Yet, amid these challenges lies a powerful opportunity: the African Continental Free Trade Area. With its emerging digital trade protocol, AfCFTA could open doors to cross-border e-commerce, harmonized regulations, and a larger digital marketplace.
But tapping into this promise, panelists stressed, will require more than ambition, it will demand coordinated national strategies and deliberate investment in digital ecosystems.
At the heart of the conversation was a familiar struggle for many African startups: access to funding. Despite a growing pool of tech talent and the emergence of innovation hubs, entrepreneurs continue to face a financing wall. Investors often lack the technical understanding to back digital ventures, while support systems like incubators and mentorship programs remain scarce or inaccessible.
Compounding the problem are persistent infrastructure gaps. Unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity continue to undermine innovation, turning what could be thriving tech hubs into fragile ecosystems.
While mobile money and fintech solutions have made significant strides in expanding financial inclusion, panelists argued that these gains have yet to translate into scalable, homegrown digital enterprises.
Another critical fault line is the dominance of informality in the digital space. Many startups operate outside formal structures, limiting their access to funding, legal protection, and growth opportunities. The solution, experts suggest, lies not in rigid enforcement but in flexible, incentive-driven approaches that make formalization attractive and accessible.
As the webinar drew to a close, one message stood out: the future of tech in Cameroon and Burundi will depend on collaboration. Governments, private sector actors, and civil society must move beyond fragmented efforts and work together to build a cohesive, inclusive, and forward-looking digital ecosystem.
The stakes are high. In a continent where the digital economy is projected to drive the next wave of growth, failing to act could mean missing out on transformative opportunities. But with the right policies, investments, and partnerships, Cameroon and Burundi could yet rewrite their digital story—from one of untapped promise to one of innovation and impact.
