In preparation for World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, Professor Victor Mbarika, President of The ICT University, has launched a 100 million FCFA support fund for Cameroonian journalists. The aim is to assist media professionals who often work in difficult conditions, with limited resources and declining advertising revenue.
Professor Mbarika has already contributed 5 million FCFA and is calling on 19 other business figures to contribute 5 million FCFA each to reach the 100 million FCFA target by May 3rd. He is inviting business men and women from Cameroon, Africa and the diaspora to participate in this effort, stressing the need for a strong press for the development of the continent.
Contributions should only be made through the official channels of The ICT University, including the email address president@ictuniversity.edu.cm, phone/WhatsApp numbers +1 (225) 288-8883 / +237 673 14 70 12, or by bank transfer to the ACCESS BANK account number 00401300173. It is specified that no funds should be sent to an individual, and that full transparency will be ensured by selected senior journalists from the English-speaking and French-speaking media.
This initiative comes at a time when many Cameroonian journalists face financial insecurity, with up to 80% of private media staff experiencing months of unpaid salaries and often working without employment contracts. This instability leads to ethical compromises, reliance on bribes, and the need to "report under fire" in a context of high and dangerous operating costs and limited resources. Journalists often lack basic tools, means of transport, proper office space and technical equipment.
Professor Mbarika, a strong advocate for "building the nation rather than complaining," noted that while the government has supported diaspora investments, the private sector and academia need to do more to empower the storytellers who document Cameroon's growth. He is known for his commitment to education and development in Africa, having funded numerous projects and scholarships through The ICT University. He has also been praised for his efforts to attract diaspora investment to Cameroon.
The announcement of this fund has been welcomed by several Cameroonian journalists, who believe that this gesture will promote professionalism and make the press viable. To ensure transparent management of contributions, Victor Mbarika will entrust the supervision of the funds to a group of "honest young journalists", without specifying for the moment the composition or practical arrangements for the redistribution of the announced envelope. The deadline for reaching the 100 million FCFA target is May 3, 2026.
