AFRODAD Media Initiative Opens In Nairobi To Strengthen Debt Reporting Across Africa

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The sixth edition of the AFRODAD Media Initiative (AFROMEDI VI) has commenced in Nairobi, Kenya, convening over 45 journalists and finance experts from 29 African countries. Running from May 27 to May 29, the three-day forum is themed, “Partnering with Media to Advance Socio-Economic Justice and Africa’s Common Position on Debt.”

**AFRODAD Interim Executive Director Dr. Theophilus Yungong speaking during the opening ceremony**

Organized by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) in partnership with Transparency International Kenya and the Stop the Bleeding Campaign, the event emphasizes the critical role of media in driving accountability.

In his opening remarks, AFRODAD Interim Executive Director Dr. Theophilus Yungong described the media as one of the continent’s most powerful tools for accountability, especially as African nations navigate rising debt distress, fiscal pressures, and widening development gaps.

“Only a journalist can make that connection visible to the people who need to understand it most,” Dr. Yungong stated. He emphasized that true accountability is only possible when citizens grasp the implications of the borrowing decisions made in their name.

“When the public watches, things change. When voters ask questions, politicians answer. And when journalists illuminate what would otherwise remain hidden, the powerful can no longer act with impunity.”

He further challenged attendees to help shape a narrative where Africa “tells its own story, sets its own terms, and holds its own leaders—and the world—accountable.”

Gibson Mwaita, Head of Programmes at Transparency International Kenya, reinforced this message by highlighting the link between corruption, weak accountability, and the continent’s economic challenges.

Referring to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, Mwaita noted that Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-performing region globally, with an average score of just 32 out of 100. He affirmed that journalists are essential to strengthening oversight and safeguarding public resources across the continent.

“Media practitioners are not merely observers of economic events; they are active actors in shaping reform conversations,” Mwaita said.

The AFROMEDI initiative enhances media capacity to report on sovereign debt management, fiscal justice, and the global financial architecture. By championing people-centered storytelling, the program bridges the gap between complex macroeconomic policies and everyday realities.

Since its 2021 launch, AFROMEDI has trained over 600 journalists across 37 African countries, fostering a robust network dedicated to accountability and public discourse.

The initiative’s framework is deeply rooted in the African Borrowing Charter, the Lomé Declaration’s Common African Position on Debt, and the long-term goals of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

Minister Atanga Nji Urges Cameroonians To Make Daily Exercise A Vital Routine

By Brian Mboh

The Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Paul Atanga Nji, has issued a clarion call for Cameroonians to integrate regular physical exercise into their daily routines, citing its profound benefits for long-term health and vitality.

**Minister Paul Atanga Nji and Eto’o Fils**

The Minister made this appeal on Saturday, May 23, at the Golgotha Tennis Club in Yaoundé, where he demonstrated his own commitment to fitness by completing a rigorous tennis match that lasted one hour and thirty minutes without interruption.

The exhibition match was attended by high-profile figures, including Prof. François Bolvine Wakata, Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with the Assembly; Samuel Eto’o Fils, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT); and numerous local tennis enthusiasts.

Through this display of stamina, Minister Atanga Nji appeared to address recent public commentary regarding his physical well-being. Furthermore, he used the platform to advise football authorities on the qualities necessary for the next generation of athletes.

“It is very important for our players to take sports seriously in order to avoid muscle cramps,” the Minister stated. “It is vital to exercise, for it helps to keep you in good shape.”

**Minister Paul Atanga Nji in action at Golgotha Tennis Club**

Reflecting on his own regimen, Atanga Nji added, “As you can see, I am above 65 years, yet you can acknowledge my fitness due to my constant involvement on the tennis courts. You should emphasize endurance and resistance when calling up your players. Your presence today among us is to make you part of the dynamic.”

Echoing these sentiments, FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o Fils lauded the initiative, noting that sports serve as a catalyst for rejuvenation.

“Seeing Minister Paul Atanga Nji play for one hour and thirty minutes is a clear message of how sports can help overcome health challenges through endurance and resistance,” Eto’o remarked.

Eto’o further emphasized the importance of the event, stating that his presence was intended to support the Minister’s vision and to encourage the broader Cameroonian public to make physical activity a cornerstone of their daily lives.

**Min Paul Atanga Nji (L) Min François Bolvine Wakata (M) and Samuel Eto’o Fils(R)**

Light Rain Marks 54th National Day In Yaounde As President Biya Presides

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Thousands of Cameroonians gathered under light rains on Wednesday, May 20, in Yaoundé to mark the country’s 54th National Day. The drizzle, far from dampening the spirit of the event, seemed to add a solemn tone to the occasion as President Paul Biya presided over the celebrations.

***President Paul Biya (Middle) applauds as the military parade marches past on the 20th May Boulevard*** *(Photo: Presidency)*

Paul Biya, alongside the First Lady Chantal Biya, was joined by government officials and foreign dignitaries at the ceremonial pavilion. This year’s theme was “National Unity: Backbone of Our Defense System, Bedrock of Cameroon’s Development.” A key highlight of this year’s edition was the participation of guest of honour, Chadian military contingent.

However, the 20^th May Boulevard was transformed into a display of national pride. Military contingents marched in rhythm, students and political groups chanted songs, and many carried placards calling for unity. Many described the ceremony as a powerful reminder of the nation’s resilience and the bonds that hold its people together, even amid ongoing challenges.

For many in attendance, however, the day brought mixed emotions. Some questioned whether the unity on display reflected the country’s true reality.

“I am happy to be part of this day because I just marched past in front of President Paul Biya,” said one participant. “He is the father of the nation and has done a lot to make the country be where it is. I am so happy and will continue to pray that God gives him divine grace to lead this country.”

Another attendee, Frida, stressed the historical importance of the anniversary. “As a Cameroonian, celebrating this day is of utmost importance because it is a day that means so much to us,” she said. “It commemorates the historic 1972 national referendum where citizens voted to transition the country from a federal republic into a unitary state.”

But not everyone shared that enthusiasm. Elvis, who also took part in the march, expressed disappointment. “I am happy I participated in the march past, but deep down in my heart, the reason why we are celebrating this day doesn’t make sense at all,” he said. “Some people have turned it into a day of embezzling money, celebrating what they don’t even know.”

Marie Claire who watched from her house voiced similar concerns about the gap between official messages and daily life. “When I see the messages hanging all over town and those that were projected during the march past, those messages are very far from being a reality,” she said. “Some of those messages to me are just produced to continue singing for unity, but the real unity that we want is not there.”

Beyond Yaounde, Cameroonians in other cities and at diplomatic missions abroad also commemorated the day with ceremonies and flag-raising events. Despite differing views on the state of national unity, the 54th anniversary remained a moment of reflection for a country still grappling with what that unity truly means.

Cameroonian’s Bold Prediction Ignites Lagos Showdown Ahead Of PFL Africa

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa is bracing for a hostile reception on June 13 as Cameroonian lightweight Octave Ayinda has officially declared war on his Nigerian opponent, Patrick Ocheme.

Ahead of their tournament clash at the Eko Convention Centre, Ayinda, nicknamed “The Bantu Warrior,” took to social media to dismiss the chances of Ocheme, known as “Star Boi,” casting the upcoming lightweight tournament bout as a one-sided affair.

“I’ve spent hours breaking down his previous fights,” Ayinda said in a video statement released this week. “It’s going to be crazy when we meet because I don’t see this guy being able to survive my strength. Yeah, he’s not going to survive.”

The matchup serves as a pivotal opening-round contest for the tournament, where both fighters are vying for a championship belt and a $100,000 grand prize.

The Lagos event, marks a significant expansion for the promotion, bringing top-tier talent from across the continent to the heart of Nigeria’s commercial capital.

For the Nigerian contingent, the bout is more than just a tournament opener; it is a chance for Ocheme to defend home turf against a surging Cameroonian threat. While Ocheme looks to capitalize on the local crowd’s energy, Ayinda is determined to silence the Lagos audience.

Ayinda leads a four-man Cameroonian delegation scheduled to compete on the Lagos card. He is joined by several high-profile compatriots, including 2025 PFL Africa finalist Alain “The African Assassin” Majorique, and rising prospects Styve “The Revolution” Ngono and Jordan Fongno.

Analysts view the Ayinda-Ocheme fight as a marquee matchup, with both competitors eager to define their legacy on Africa’s rapidly expanding mixed martial arts circuit. As the tournament bracket takes shape, the pressure remains on the Cameroonian to back up his aggressive pre-fight rhetoric when the cage door closes on June 13.

VitalizeDx Validates Saliva-Based Performance Tech In Real-World Football Trial

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

VitalizeDx, an Italian-Swiss startup and member of the GSIC community, has successfully validated its saliva-based performance monitoring technology through a real-world football evaluation carried out in the province of Valencia. The testing was conducted recently in collaboration with Torrent CF, a semi-professional football club from the Valencian Region, under live operational conditions.

VitalizeDx has developed a rapid saliva-testing solution capable of delivering results in less than five minutes by analyzing biological biomarkers linked to athlete health, physical readiness, recovery, performance optimization, and injury risk prevention. The technology provides sports organizations with a fast, non-invasive tool to support daily performance and medical decision-making.

More than 20 Torrent CF semi-professional players took part in the evaluation during the final phase of the season, allowing the solution to be tested in real training and competitive conditions. The session was coordinated by Pablo Gomez, Men’s Football Coordinator at Torrent CF, together with Carlos Valero, Head of the Physical Preparation Area, and Juan Fuentes, Director of the GSIC Testing Lab in Valencia.

VitalizeDx founder Lavinia Alberi Auber was present on site throughout the evaluation, working closely with the club’s technical and performance staff. During the session, she explained the testing methodology, the biomarkers analyzed, and the operational procedures required to ensure reliable saliva collection and interpretation. This hands-on approach enabled practitioners to explore how the solution can be realistically integrated into football performance workflows.

The evaluation followed the GSIC Testing Lab’s proprietary methodology, combining technical and functional analysis with validation in real operational environments. This process allowed VitalizeDx to demonstrate not only the scientific foundation of its solution, but also its usability and practical impact under real sporting conditions.

The project also highlights how Valencia is attracting sportstech companies from across Europe and beyond, providing them with access to real testing environments and performance contexts. Through initiatives like the GSIC Testing Lab, international startups can validate their solutions in collaboration with sports organizations operating in real-world conditions.

Following the successful evaluation, VitalizeDx has been awarded the GSIC Certificate 201503 “Wearable & Performance,” reinforcing its position as an innovative performance technology within the global GSIC ecosystem.

The Global Sports Innovation Center (GSIC), powered by Microsoft, is a global non-profit association that connects the sports industry with innovative technology solutions through its international ecosystem, testing capabilities and strategic partnerships, driving real collaboration and impact worldwide.

GSIC Testing Lab is a center of excellence in innovation in Sports, Entertainment, Media and Health managed by GSIC and promoted by the Valencia Region and the Valencia City Hall through their innovation strategy València Innovation Capital.

We Are Bringing AI To Every Phone, Offline And In 100 African Languages—Starting With ‘Choronko’ – Zuo Bruno, Cybersecurity Engineer

Cameroonian-born cybersecurity engineer and founder of Zuoix, Zuo Bruno, is redefining the global tech landscape with a breakthrough offline AI platform designed to operate entirely without internet connectivity. In an exclusive interview with The Post, Zuo Bruno said the offline AI platform aims to bring AI to every phone, offline and in 100 languages, starting with the “Choronko” phone. Speaking further, he stated that his inspiration stemmed from 2017, when the internet was off in the Anglophone Regions for 93 days, changing the course of livelihood as students faced difficulties, health care was disrupted, and farmers saw their activities come to a stop. He stated that the platform, SkyDew, is already live for MTN Cameroon, handling a meaningful spread of Cameroonian languages—including Pidgin English among others. He added that technology should no longer be a privilege of the urban elite, but a practical tool accessible to anyone with a mobile device, regardless of their data plan or dialect. Read the excerpt.

Excerpt:

News-lens: Mr. Bruno, let’s go back to 2017. For 93 days, the internet was off in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. What was the first thought that came to your mind when you realised even simple things like sending money or homework had stopped working?

Zuo Bruno: Honestly, my first thought was disbelief — and then a kind of quiet anger. I have family there, and the shutdown hit me personally in ways people who have never lived it cannot easily imagine. I depended entirely on a cyber café for my work and my livelihood, and when that café was forced to close for three months, I could not eat properly, I could not pay my rent. My income simply stopped. I kept thinking about my cousins who could not submit assignments, the traders in Bamenda who lost contracts overnight, the parents who could not send school fees, the doctors who could not receive lab results. We talk about the internet as if it is a luxury, but in those 93 days it became painfully clear: in 2017, cutting the internet was no different from cutting the water supply. People could not work, learn, heal, or even mourn properly.

But the thought that stayed with me longest was this — if a government can flip a switch and silence an entire region, then the technology we are building on top of that switch is fragile. We were building castles on someone else’s foundation. That is the moment, as an engineer, that something shifted in me permanently.

You created SkyDew so that anyone with any phone — even a very old one — can use AI. What did you see with your own eyes that made you say: “I must build this for people without internet?”

Two scenes, really. The first was during a trip to Bamenda. I watched a woman in a small village try to ask a health question. She had a basic Nokia, no data plan, no smartphone. Her grandson, who had a smartphone, had travelled. So she sat there with a question that ChatGPT could have answered in three seconds — and she had no way in. The whole AI revolution was happening above her head, in a cloud she could not reach.

The second was simply noticing the global AI boom. Billions of dollars were flowing into models that could write Shakespeare and pass medical exams — but none of them worked on a feature phone in Ikiliwindi or Kwakwa. Garoua and Buea already have internet coverage; the real gap is in the rural villages where life actually happens. I realised the AI industry had quietly decided that over 700 million Africans without reliable internet were simply not the customer. That was the moment I said: someone has to build the bridge. And if no one else is going to, I will.

Can you explain to a farmer or a student how they would actually use SkyDew? If I have a simple phone with no data, what numbers do I press, and what happens next?

It is deliberately as simple as sending an SMS — because it is an SMS. There are two doors into SkyDew. The first door is SMS, and it is already live for MTN Cameroon. If you are on MTN today, you simply take any phone — even a Choronko, the basic feature phone many of us grew up with — and send a normal text message to (+237) 651-293-668. For example, you might type “What is causing yellow leaves on my maize?” and send it. A few seconds later, an SMS comes back with the answer, in the language you wrote in. No app to install. No data bundle. Nothing to learn. If you can send “Good morning” to your sister, you can use SkyDew. We are actively expanding to the other Cameroonian telcos — Orange, and CAMTEL — so that within a short time, no matter which network you are on, SkyDew will reach you.

The second door is USSD — those menus you already use to check your Mobile Money balance, like *126# or *150#. We are still working with the telcos to secure a dedicated SkyDew USSD number, and once that is in place, you will dial a short code, a menu will pop up: 1 for farming, 2 for health, 3 for school help, 4 for translation, and so on. You pick a number, type your question, and the answer comes back on the same screen. No internet involved at any point. The intelligence lives on our network; the phone only needs to send and receive SMS. That is all SkyDew needs. That is it.

Your system works in over 100 African languages, including local dialects. How many Cameroonian local dialects are integrated into SkyDew, and why was that so important to you? How did you ensure the AI’s responses remained culturally and linguistically accurate?

At the moment, SkyDew handles a meaningful spread of Cameroonian languages — including Pidgin English, which for many of us is the real lingua franca, alongside Ewondo, Duala, Fulfulde, Bamileke variants, Bassa, and others, and we are continuing to expand. Cameroon alone has over 250 languages, and I refuse to treat that as a problem. It is our wealth.

Why does it matter? Because AI that only speaks English or French is not neutral — it is a filter. It tells a grandmother in Kumbo that her wisdom is not welcome unless she translates herself first. I wanted to flip that. SkyDew should meet you in the language your mother sang to you in.

On accuracy, we did not just rely on translation engines. We worked with native speakers, teachers, and community linguists from each region to validate responses, especially around health, farming, and legal topics where a wrong word can do real damage. We also tuned the system to recognise cultural context — for example, when someone asks about a traditional remedy, SkyDew does not dismiss it the way a Silicon Valley model might; it engages respectfully and then adds modern information alongside. That balance is non-negotiable for me.

You could have built a fancy app for smartphones. Instead, you chose SMS and USSD — very basic tools. Some people might ask, “Why go backwards?” What would you tell them?

I would tell them: I did not go backwards. I went where the people are.

Smartphones in Africa are growing, yes, but the truth on the ground is that hundreds of millions of people still use feature phones, and even those with smartphones often switch them off or use them sparingly because data is expensive. If I build a beautiful React Native app with a clean dark mode, I have built it for the 15% who already had options. SMS and USSD reach the 100%. They work on every phone ever made. They work when the network is weak. They work when there is no Wi-Fi for 200 kilometres. They even work during a shutdown of mobile data, because the SMS channel often stays up.

There is also something philosophical here. The most powerful technology is not the flashiest — it is the one that disappears into people’s lives. SMS already disappeared into African life twenty years ago. I am simply pouring AI into a pipe that anyone with even a feature phone already trusts.

You won the Presidential Prize in 2018, then you seemed to disappear for nearly five years. Now we know you were building SkyDew. During that time in the shadows, what was the one moment or breakthrough that made you say, ‘Okay, this is ready for all of Africa’?

Those five years were not glamorous. There were nights I questioned everything. I was running Zuoix, doing cybersecurity work to fund the dream, writing code at 2 a.m., flying for business across the continent. The Presidential Prize was a beautiful affirmation, but prizes do not write code. Only work writes code.

The breakthrough moment came when we got our Mobile Network Operator detection working across 1,607 prefixes — meaning SkyDew could intelligently route a message from any phone, on any African network, to the right node in our system, and back. That sounds technical, but here is what it meant in human terms: a herder in northern Kenya, a market woman in Lagos, and a student in Yaoundé could all send the exact same kind of question and each receive an answer in their own language, on their own network, in seconds — without any of them knowing or caring how it worked underneath.

When I saw that working end-to-end, on real SIM cards, with real responses coming back, I sat in my office and just breathed. I thought, “Okay. This is no longer a project. This is infrastructure.” That was the day I knew it was ready.

I heard a story of a farmer in Mali who diagnosed a sick tomato crop using SkyDew. What did that farmer say to you afterward? And what did that moment feel like for you as an engineer?

He said something I will carry with me forever. Roughly translated, he said: “My father used to ask the elders. Now the elders are gone, and I asked the small phone. It answered me like my father would have.” Then he laughed and said he saved his crop and was going to use the money to buy his daughter a school uniform.

As an engineer, you spend years staring at logs, fixing bugs at 3 a.m., arguing with yourself about architecture decisions nobody else will ever see. And then one day a man you have never met, in a village you have never visited, tells you that the thing you built in silence kept food on his table. I cannot describe that feeling cleanly. It is not pride. It is closer to gratitude — gratitude that the work was allowed to mean something. Every line of code I have written since then carries that farmer’s voice in it.

The government once shut down the internet for 93 days in the Anglophone Regions in Cameroon. Now you’ve built a tool that doesn’t need the internet to work. Is SkyDew your quiet answer to that shutdown? And how does that feel?

I want to be careful here, because I am not building SkyDew as a protest against any one government. I am building it as a protection for every African — regardless of who is in power, regardless of which region they live in, regardless of what crisis comes next.

But yes — if I am honest, the 93 days are in the DNA of this product. They taught me that connectivity in Africa cannot depend on a single switch that anyone, anywhere, can flip. Shutdowns will happen again. Cables will be cut. Towers will fail. Storms will come. The question is: when that happens, does the continent go dark, or do we have a layer underneath that keeps working?

How does it feel? It feels like closure, in a small way. It feels like the engineer in me finally got to answer the citizen in me. Back in 2017, I had no power — I could only watch. Today, if a similar shutdown happened, a student could still get help with her homework, a mother could still get health information, a trader could still check market prices. Not because we defied anyone, but because we built something resilient enough to stand quietly beside whatever else is happening.

What is your simple, one-sentence message to a grandmother in Bamenda or a student in Enugu who has never used AI before but is curious to try SkyDew today?

My message is this: you do not need to be young, rich, educated, or connected to talk to AI. If you can send a text message, you can talk to the future. That is the whole promise of SkyDew.

To the grandmother in Bamenda: imagine your grandson is sick in the middle of the night and you do not know what to give him. Pick up your phone, type in Pidgin or in your mother tongue, send it to a SkyDew number, and in seconds you will get clear, careful advice — whether it is something you can manage at home or whether you need to rush to the clinic. To the student in Enugu: imagine it is exam season, your data bundle has finished, but you do not understand a chapter on photosynthesis. Send the question by SMS. SkyDew will explain it to you like a patient older brother, in the language you are comfortable in, and it will not cost you a data plan.

SkyDew numbers are being advertised across Africa. Text the one closest to you and get an AI response in seconds. For MTN Cameroon users, you can start today: send your question to (+237) 651-293-668. We are rolling out to Orange, Nexttel, CAMTEL, and more networks across the continent very soon. No app. No data. No barriers. Just send a message — and Africa will answer you back.

Interviewed by Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo (It was first published in The Post on Monday May 18, 2026 Edition No: 02562)

AFCON 2027: Indomitable Lions To Face Namibia, Comoros, And Congo In Group G

By Brian Mboh

The 2027 TotalEnergies African Nations Cups (AFCON) draws have been conducted, with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon getting Namibia, Comoros and Congo Brazzaville in Group G. Conducted on Tuesday, May 19, in Cairo, Egypt, with 48 nations drawn into 12 groups of four teams each.

The top two teams from each group, will qualify automatically for the continental showpiece, while groups containing one of the co-host nations will see an additional team progress to the finals. The 2027 AFCON tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June 2027.

Cameroon was drawn in Group G alongside Namibia, Comoros and Congo Brazzaville, setting up what promises to be a competitive qualifying campaign for Bryan Mbeumo and mates.

Reacting to the draw, as gathered on www. Namibian.com, Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin expressed optimism about Namibia’s chances, while acknowledging the quality and experience of their opponents.

“It’s a good draw and we are drawn against good teams. Cameroon is a powerhouse in African football, but our statistics against them look good on paper. Comoros recently participated in the 2025 Afcon held in Morocco and they have been doing well, with most of their players playing in Europe. Congo Brazzaville has athletic players and we are looking forward to playing them in September,” said Benjamin.

For football observers,the Indomitable Lions hold a better chance ,of emerging ontop spot , depending on the team’s organization spirit and squad in-depth.

Sports Analyst Lawrence Nkede said. “I think the Indomitable Lions stand as favourites in this group. Nevertheless, we cannot undermine our opponents, some of whom we know very well, “he said.

“The Comoros has become an regular of the final phase of the AFCON and should not be dealt with lightly. They play fast football and have the fighting spirit to resist pressure. They proved it at the last AFCON. Namibia is another defensive side which proceeds by counter offensives,” he explained.

Lawrence furthers , that the last time Cameroon met Namibia, was during the AFCON qualifiers in 2024, where the Indomitable Lions edged them by 1-0 at home and “managed” a draw in the return-leg.

“Congo will seem to be the underdogs and will be double motivated in what, will be a regional derby.All the same, Cameroon can have a perfect path through these qualifiers, as we did in the last AFCON qualifiers without losing a game”.

” This will depend on team organization and a serene atmosphere around the team. Coach David Pagou has what it takes, in terms of squad depth and quality to sail through the qualifiers in calm waters,” he ended.

According to Congolese Journalist, Jean Rufin Leomba, it is an easy group for Coach David Pagou and Congo Brazzaville to sail through has leaders, without neglecting Comoros and Namibia.

“A group is never easy, after the draw of a competition has been conducted.It’s always a matter of organisation from every nation based on its objectives.”

“The Congo Brazzaville versus Cameroon encounter, is considered be to a Central African derby. The game will be very interesting to watching,” Leomba said. “I think for Congo ,facing Cameroon or Namibia , won’t be a challenge ,for the mere reason that, we will have to prepare adequately for these confrontations,” he added.

Leomba said despite the absence of their head trainer,he believes it will be a good competition for the Congolese senior men’s national football team .

“We could have Cameroon and Congo as qualifiers. Not forgetting, Comoros coming up strongly and not to be estimated”

“My fear for the Congolese side, is their absence from FIFA friendly games.There are alot of happenings surrounding the team that needs to be looked,” he ended.

Cameroon has faced Comoros twice, with the Indomitable Lions winning all their games. Cameroon has recorded three encounter against the Brave Warriors. With Vincent Aboubakar and mates recording one win,one lost and one draw.While Namibia earned,one win,one defeat and one draw.

Against Congo Brazzaville,both sides have shared five confrontations, with team Cameroon getting two wins,two draw and one defeat.Contrary to the Congolese side , with a one win,two draw and two lost.

Cameroon, Standard Chartered Bank Ink FCFA 130.4 Billion Deal For Ebolowa-Akom II-Kribi Road Construction

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The government of Cameroon and Standard Chartered Bank of London have formalized a financing agreement worth FCFA 130.4 billion to fund the construction of the Ebolowa-Akom II-Kribi road. The signing ceremony, that took place on May 15 in Yaoundé, marked a significant milestone for the nation’s infrastructure and its connection to the Gulf of Guinea.

**Officials exchange MoUs after signing the financial agreement** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Cameroon Minister of the Economy, Planning, and Regional Development Alamine Ousmane Mey signed the agreement alongside British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matthew Woods and Mustafa Hussain, the Executive Director of Structured and Export finance at Standard Chartered Bank. The ceremony drew a high-profile delegation of diplomatic and financial leaders, including the Ministers of Finance, Public Works, and Posts and Telecommunications among others.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Ousmane Mey described the project as a “flagship integration project,” stating that upon completion, “the transport of goods to and from the deep-water port of Kribi will certainly be optimized and improved.”

The Minister stressed that the Ebolowa-Akom II-Kribi axis is “a crucial link in ensuring the functionality and profitability of the Kribi port industrial complex,” an infrastructure whose success relies heavily on high-quality land connections to the hinterland.

He added that the project aligns with the National Development Strategy 30 (SND-30). Minister Ousmane Mey attributed the successful credit agreement to “a vision, of a determination that characterises the leadership of the President of the Republic in promoting the harmonious development of our country.”

**Officials during the signing ceremony** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

The Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, an elite of the South region, noted that the road dates back to the German era. He described it as “an old road, an emblematic road and a historic road, which coagulates all the ambitions and all the hopes of the South region.”

He added that the local population is optimistic because “it is a road not only of hope, but also hope for a better Cameroon… a road of the future and the future is built with President Paul Biya for young people and for women.”

Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi expressed relief that the funding is secured, stating, “We are satisfied that the financing of this important infrastructure is now available. In fact, it will be realised with the National Route 17, Multi-corridor.”

Mustafa Hussain on his part said Standard Chartered is proud to support a project of such national importance. “This transaction is a source of pride for us… it connects the mainland to the deep-water port of Kribi, and beyond,” Hussain said. “This project will bring about profound transformations and demonstrates Standard Chartered’s commitment to projects of national significance.”

Several dignitaries stated that the road is expected to catalyze economic activity toward the Kribi industrial zone while enhancing sub-regional connectivity. Officials noted the corridor will facilitate trade between Cameroon and its neighbors, including Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Chad.

The technical scope of the project includes a main section of 161.6 kilometers, divided between the Ebolowa-Akom II and Akom II-Kribi segments. Additional components include a 1.4-kilometer urban bypass in Ebolowa, a 12.3-kilometer bypass in Kribi, and a 4-kilometer spur in Akom II, bringing the total length to 179.3 kilometers. Construction is slated for completion within three years.

The total project cost is estimated at FCFA 169 billion. External financing accounts for FCFA 138.2 billion excluding taxes, with the Cameroonian government covering the remainder through taxes and customs duties.

The arrangement involves two separate loans from Standard Chartered Bank. The first, worth FCFA 113.4 billion, is guaranteed by UK Export Finance. A second agreement for FCFA 7.8 billion was concluded in early 2024 to fund environmental assessments and implementation studies.

The May 15 signing represents the eighth major transaction between the Republic of Cameroon and Standard Chartered Bank over the past nine years.

Authur Bernice Enang Launches New Book, Finding You

By Brian Mboh

A new book highlighting the dilemmas men face, advocates personal dialogue and inner work to help men not only grow but thrive, has been launched. The book, titled Finding You: Negotiating Life’s Transition, Upscaling the Whole, was launched on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Yaoundé.

**Bernice Enang signing books during launch**

The compelling publication is authored by certified soft skill trainer, trailblazing whole person empowerment coach and counsellor Authur Bernice Enang. The book was reviewed by renowned journalist, and civil society actor Comfort Mussa. The book, Finding You, is divided into three sections: the diagnosis, negotiation and growth.

Speaking at the book launch, Enang said it was the fruit of a three-year journey and described it as a “dream come true.” She described the process of conceiving, writing, and publishing the book “as a calling that dropped from above”.

According to Enang, there exists a wide range of books on self-development. However, she bemoaned the fact that only very few of them talk about the realities of the African man.

She revealed that in the first half of 2026, there have been at least 26 feminicide cases orchestrated by men. These men, she argued, found themselves in “extra trauma and inability to manage their emotions properly.”

According to the author, if men “cry about it” the world, she stated, will label it as weakness. She stressed further that in this situation; men should not be accused but educated to speak up when they find themselves in a tight corner. They are human beings, she added, and are not immune to trouble.

“Living in the African context and being in close proximity with men for the last 20 years, I think that someone should be addressing their problem because day by day, we see many more men dying,” Enang told Camertoday.

“When we have the little girls and women get empowered, they will go back to live with these men. So, is it not better to empower the men so that the women can have a comfortable partner to live with?” she questioned.

“Through one man, we can change a whole nation (…) A man who cannot control his emotions becomes enslaved by them. I am out on a campaign to help people name their emotions,”Enang added.

Not a book for men only

According to the author, Finding You is not a book “only for men”. She pointed out that contrary to that, the book is a “love story for men.”

“It is a book for men, women and children. This is because if I am a woman and I get to read about men, it will help me to live better with the men in my life. If I am a son, and I read about men, I will carry myself better. And if I am a man and I get to read about men, I will be able to fix myself to become the best version of myself,” Enang.

“I am advocating for wholeness. Every human being should live in their whole element so that ourselves and our communities can thrive,” Enang added.

Several people purchased the book and it was said that the money raised during the launch would fund the activities of the First Housebound Foundation (FiHoF).

FiHoF’s mission is to build resilient harmonious families and thriving communities by empowering men on family life and responsibility so as to equip them for life with already empowered women. FiHoF permits men to be seen, heard and appreciated for the value they carry in manhood .

A book about men finally here- Comfort Musa

In her indepth review of the book, Comfort Mussa saluted the author’s courage to write about a “topic unexplored” about the emotions and identity of men.

Musa said she found a lot of strength in the book. According to her, unlike other books, Finding You is authentic with the stories rooted in real Cameroonian and African experiences.

“There are many books around the emotions of men but for me, this is the first one written by a Cameroonian author addressing the emotions of Cameroonian men,” Mussa said.

“The book is very practical. The language and style are accessible. I like the way she blends prose with affirmations of practical steps

“The book is detailed enough to make sense for men but it is also brief enough to hold the attention of people in a society where we are struggling with attention span,” Mussa added.

Musa also appreciated the topics raised in the book like: masculinity, emotional intelligence, resilience, identity, growth and legacy.

She mentioned that: “Finding you is a very courageous, necessary book. It challenges everyone to confront our hidden struggles, to dismantle false identity and to upgrade our authentic selves.”

Men are allowed to be vulnerable…

One of the major highlights of the book launch was the panel discussion on the theme: Identity, Masculinity, and mental health awareness for family harmony and thriving communities.

One of the panelists, Elangwe Elenga revealed that society has placed a lot of expectations on the men with, for some, little or no resources to meet their daily targets.

He said some men engage in crimes due to the “lack of purpose and direction.” He revealed that according to the World Criminal Record, 97% of people of the over 34,000 in prison are young men.

“When purpose is not known for too long, the result is collapse,” Elenga said.

Another panelist, Elysee Fossi, a psychotherapist, revealed that men are humans and should be free to be overwhelmed.

“Showing emotional weakness, vulnerability is not something you should be ashamed of. He said men should be encouraged to seek help,” Fossi concluded.

Meet Zuo Bruno, Bringing AI to ‘Choronko’ Phones In 100+ African Languages, No Internet Needed

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

In the digital age, the “cloud” is often portrayed as a universal library, yet for millions of Africans, it remains an inaccessible vault. This reality hit Zuo Bruno, a Cameroonian cybersecurity engineer and founder of Zuoix, with devastating clarity during the 2017 internet shutdown that silenced the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon for 93 days.

**Zuo Bruno, a Cameroonian cybersecurity engineer and founder of Zuoix in working mode**

While the world viewed the blackout through the lens of political friction, Zuo Bruno felt it through his empty stomach and the quiet desperation of his community. Working out of a cyber café that was forced to shutter, he found himself unable to pay rent or eat properly. He watched as doctors lost access to lab results and students were cut off from their assignments.

“We talk about the internet as if it is a luxury, but in those 93 days it became painfully clear: in 2017, cutting the internet was no different from cutting the water supply,” Zuo said.

The experience shifted something permanently in the engineer. He realized that building technology solely on the foundation of a “flip-switch” internet was a fragile endeavor—building castles on someone else’s foundation.

According to Zuo, this realization became the catalyst for SkyDew, an offline artificial intelligence platform designed to put the power of the AI revolution into the hands of every African, regardless of connectivity.

He added that SkyDew bypasses the need for high-end smartphones and expensive data bundles by utilizing the most basic communication channels: SMS and USSD. This approach allows the technology to work on “Choronko” phones—the basic feature phones that still dominate much of the African landscape. For users on the MTN Cameroon network, the “future” is already as simple as sending a text message to a dedicated local number.

**Zuo Bruno, a Cameroonian cybersecurity engineer and founder of Zuoix**

“If you can send ‘Good morning’ to your sister, you can use SkyDew,” Zuo explained, noting that the system is built to handle queries ranging from agricultural advice to medical information in a few seconds.

He stated that the platform’s true innovation lies in its linguistic and cultural depth. Recognizing that AI restricted to English or French acts as a filter that excludes the wisdom of the elderly and the rural population, Zuo integrated over 100 African languages, including Cameroonian dialects like Pidgin English, Ewondo, and Fulfulde among others. To ensure accuracy in sensitive fields like law and medicine, Zuoix collaborated with native speakers and community linguists to validate the AI’s responses.

“SkyDew should meet you in the language your mother sang to you in,” Zuo said. He recalled a farmer in Mali who used the tool to save a sick tomato crop and remarked that the phone answered him with the wisdom his father once provided. “My father used to ask the elders. Now the elders are gone, and I asked the small phone. It answered me like my father would have,” the Malian farmer said.

According to Zuo, “That is not pride. That is gratitude. Every line of code I have written since then carries that farmer’s voice.”

The development of SkyDew took five years of “building in silence,” funded by Zuo’s cybersecurity work. Despite winning the Presidential Prize in 2018, he spent years in the shadows, writing code at 2 a.m. and refining a system that could intelligently route messages across more than 1,600 mobile network prefixes.

**Zuo Bruno, a Cameroonian cybersecurity engineer and founder of Zuoix and With Her Excellency, Former President of Mauritius**

While the 93-day shutdown is part of the product’s DNA, Zuo insists SkyDew is not a protest but a form of infrastructure resilience. He envisions a continent where a grandmother in Bamenda can receive medical advice for a sick grandchild in the middle of the night, or a student in Enugu can study photosynthesis after their data bundle has expired, without any technical barriers.

As the platform expands to other Cameroonian providers like Orange, Nexttel, and CAMTEL, Zuo’s mission remains focused on the 700 million Africans whom the global AI industry has largely ignored. He believes that the most powerful technology is not the flashiest, but the one that disappears into people’s lives.

“You do not need to be young, rich, educated, or connected to talk to AI,” Zuo said. “If you can send a text message, you can talk to the future”.

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