Cameroon's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (Minpostel) has set ambitious goals for 2026, placing rural connectivity and cybersecurity at the heart of its digital transformation strategy. During a New Year's greetings ceremony in Yaoundé, Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng emphasized the importance of connecting the entire territory, securing cyberspace, and strengthening regulation to ensure operational digital sovereignty.
The initiative revolves around three main pillars. First, extending connectivity to rural and remote areas is seen as essential to promote access to digital financial services, e-commerce, telehealth, and online education. By reducing the territorial digital divide, Cameroon aims to expand its productive base and integrate more citizens into the formal economy.
Second, cybersecurity is a growing priority, with actions being taken to strengthen the protection of Cameroon's cyberspace. Specialized equipment has been provided to the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) to enhance national capabilities for preventing and responding to cyber threats. ANTIC is now better equipped to identify and address perpetrators of reprehensible online behavior. The Minister also stressed the need for responsible use of social networks and the fight against hate speech.
Third, the modernization of the postal sector is underway, with a shift towards a more modern model integrating financial services. This transformation aims to support the growth of e-commerce and strengthen financial inclusion through the digitization of services, partnerships with e-commerce players, and improved traceability.
In addition, service quality is considered a cross-cutting requirement to ensure the success of digital transformation. Technical equipment has been handed over to the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) to monitor operator performance in real time and ensure compliance with quality standards. Artificial intelligence is also on the agenda, with a national strategy and a government action plan in preparation to frame its ethical development and structure the local ecosystem. Cameroon is committed to aligning its national digital strategy with international best practices.
