Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
In a digital landscape where connectivity is key, young businesses in Cameroon still face daunting challenges. Private Higher Education Institutions (IPES) are multiplying efforts to incubate such businesses but the digital challenge still leave them struggling to compete in a rapidly evolving market.
”An incubator without Internet, you will agree, is a bit like a bill without promulgation: it is of no consequence,” says Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi, General Manager of CAMTEL.
That is why CAMTEL did not hesitate to embrace the initiative from the Cameroon Network of Parliamentarians for the Promotion of Private Entrepreneurship to step in a boost the growth of start-ups.
“CAMTEL has once again proven that she is at the heart of Cameroon’s digital transformation, and we are grateful to its General Manager, Judith Yah Sunday,” says Roger Melingui, president of the Parliamentary Network.
The partnership signed during the CAMTEL Entrepreneurial Strategy Days to Boost Digital Innovation gives the opportunity to young businesses to be able to benefit from privileged access to CAMTEL digital services.
Placed on the theme “empowering young businesses through digital connectivity”, the partnership also envisages the setting up of more than 250 business incubators, 500 enterprises, and the creation of more than 10,000 jobs.
This is possible thanks to the vast deployment of the incumbent telecom operator’s continuous deployment across the country.
“Our drive is to position Cameroon as a regional digital hub which extends to the international scene,” CAMTEL GM said.
Judith Yah Sunday however regrets that the deployment of CAMTEL’s services across the country is seriously thwarted by a deep-seated evil. She cited acts of vandalism against telecoms infrastructure as an example.
To her “Every cable cut, every manhole sabotaged, each fibre that is ripped out instantly plunges entire regions or even neighbouring countries into digital silence. It’s not just a technical incident: it’s a brutal obstacle to the development of the national economy, a disruption of public service, a violation of the most basic rights of citizens”.
The General Manager said the protection of digital infrastructure needs to be made a national cause. “We are not just asking for legislation: we also expect a strong political commitment, a mobilisation of all public players, local authorities, and citizens to work together to protect what is now a common asset: digital infrastructure”, she added.
Present at the entrepreneurship days was the Vice President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameron, who promised that councils across the country would open access to their infrastructure for young businesses to thrive.
