Unleashing creativity and encouraging innovation in new technologies to make Cameroon a « lion of electronics » and a champion of software

The situation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in our country is characterised by three factors:

– obsolescence and inadequacy of infrastructure and equipment;
– an inadequate institutional and regulatory framework;
– insufficient resources.

In addition, most IT companies in Cameroon are active in hardware and networking. In software, our companies focus on the commercialisation and integration of imported software. The local production of software is almost zero and is mainly made by small SMEs that do not benefit from bank financing or State support. Similarly, the local production of electronic components is almost zero.

However, local production of software and electronic components are two important sectors where many young people could profitably invest if they received financial support. The CRM therefore counts to:

• Focus on the production of electronic components that are ubiquitous in today’s society and participate in the manufacture of tools and media of information and communication technologies. We aim to make Cameroon a « lion of electronics »;
• Support the production of software for the establishment of electronic governance and the modernisation of the management of our companies.

ICT for all

We will establish in close collaboration with universities and research centres, SMEs in this sector a rigorous diagnosis on the access, use and perception of ICT to the population and companies, our strengths and weaknesses in order to provide our administrations and the general public with an indispensable tool for the definition of a serious policy in the field of ICT.

We will democratise access to ICTs, using the following measures:

• Initiate the necessary reforms to enable the development of telecommunications and radio and television broadcasting infrastructures;
• Make respect for intellectual property a priority in order to allow the development of unopened software produced by Cameroonians and reassure foreign companies wishing to out-source the development of their software in Cameroon;
• Make available to each community in a socially less favoured geographical area, tele-services (telephone, fax, Internet);
• Put optical fibre within the reach of all companies in industrial areas;
• Provide Internet access in all our public schools and colleges;
• Give free internet access to everyone in public places.
• Simplify access to the “.cm” to encourage Cameroonian companies to practice e-commerce while promoting the image of our country in cyberspace.
• Create a Cameroonian space agency by a mutation of the current ART which will have for mission to:

1- Promote, encourage and regulate the use of space as a means of communication in
Cameroon;
2- Produce geospatial data essential for an efficient, harmonious and eco-responsible
development of our country;
3- Geo-localise households and businesses throughout the territory;
4- Assist the civil security authorities in the prevention of natural and industrial disasters.

Producing the electronic components of tomorrow

• We will encourage and support SMEs that are created and turned to the production of software on the one hand, and the production of electronic components on the other. The goal is to make Cameroon, a kind of « Silicon Valley for software solutions and electronic components » in Central Africa.
• We will significantly strengthen our capabilities in the engineering and design of electronic components and software and by acting on initial and ongoing training.
• We will implement a progressive strategy for the control of electronic components production technologies in Cameroon.
• An electronics and computer innovation fund will be created to provide incentives to this industry. In addition to the grants given to innovative companies, this fund will finance a prize awarded to the best innovations in the field of electronics at university and entrepreneurial level.
• We will develop a quality strategy, awareness campaigns to encourage and facilitate the adoption of international standards and certifications that will enable SMEs in the ICT sector to modernise their capabilities to move to high value-added activities.

Producing software for our administrations and our companies and placing the electronic signature at the heart of the digital revolution

• We will support and encourage the creation of local businesses focused on software production for both our administrations and our businesses. For this the following measures will be taken:
• Strengthen hands-on training in software development by providing a subsidy to companies taking internships;
• Encourage administrations to work with local businesses for the provision of customised software;
• Promote a « made in Cameroon » label for locally produced software;
• Encourage our administration and companies to use the software labelled « made in Cameroon »;
• We will popularise and generalise the use of the electronic signature in order to:

-Make reliable and secure economic exchanges through the use of electronic invoices;
-Facilitate and promote the secure exchange of electronic documents between administrations;
-Establish an e-government system where the population interacts with the administration via
secure portals.

• We will support the creation of cartoons and video games in Cameroon. This is indeed a growing cultural sector in which our country is totally absent.

Developing new technology companies

• Develop Buea’s Silicon Mountain and create other digital technology hubs. Provide the city of Buea with an incubation centre, allowing starts up to settle and start. (Construction cost: 5 billion maximum)
• Introduce an incentive tax system allowing Cameroonian venture capital to raise capital. For exam-ple, life insurance companies, gaming companies, industrial groups will be exempt from 5% of the total amount of corporate tax payable, if they invest 50% of their profits in a venture capital fund for 10 years. The goal is to encourage large companies to invest in the new economy and pave the way for others.