By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The deadline for submitting projects to the Blue Tech Challenge competition has been postponed to July 15, 2024. This information was announced in a communique made public by Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) management on June 23rd.
Originally, the submission deadline was set for Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 3:30 PM sharp. With this extension, prospective candidates now have 22 additional days to submit their projects.
Launched on May 21st, the Blue Tech Challenge aims to identify and promote digital excellence through initiatives from universities, higher learning institutions, and startups in Cameroon’s digital economy.
The competition programmed for youths within the ages of 15 and 35 is geared towards highlighting know-ho of Cameroonians youths in the ICT ecosystems as well as catalyzing innovative and sustainable solutions that will retained to strengthen the resilience of digital transformation in all sectors.
Besides supporting all initiatives with the high added value and those that bring change, the competition is also aimed at stimulating self-employment to mitigate the effects of youths unemployment in Cameroon.
Being part of CAMTEL’s ongoing efforts to implementing the prescriptions of the Head of State and to contribute to the many initiatives of the government to develop the digital economy, the competition is expected to bring together a wide range of technological topics, aimed at boosting Cameroonian’s digital economy, help to attained the SND 30 objectives and lay a foundation for building a digital industry in Cameroon.
Apart from operating in the information and communication technologies ecosystem, candidates taking part in the competition must propose innovative solutions responding to either the needs of the Cameroonian populations, SND30, CAMTEL or to the need of public administration and regional and local administration.
The target candidates include starts-ups, students and researchers accredited by universities and institutions of higher learning, students of secondary technical establishments and doctorate or pre-doctorate students from research laboratories.
Four award categories have been designated namely, the Blue Star Award, The Blue Academic Innovative Award, the Blue Tech Women Award and the Handi Blue Award.
Applications must be submitted primarily online on the project website via https://bluetechchallenge.camtel.cm/ as well as in paper format and/or in a USB key. In this case, the application file will be presented in a single envelop bearing the wordings, “Call for Expression of Interest for the Blue Tech Challenge.”
Physical files can be submitted as a priority to the CAMTEL headquarters building in Yaounde, Department of Procurement and property, Door No. 905. However, candidate’s resident in the different regions can also submit their applications to CAMTEL Regional Departments and Representatives in the headquarters of their respective regions.
The deadline for the submission of application is June 23, 2024 at 3:30 pm prompt. The Bleu Tech Challenge competition is being launched within the context of celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the CAMTEL.
Download the national Call for expression of Interest for the BLUE TECH CHALLENGE https://bluetechchallenge.camtel.cm/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CEI-Blue-Tech-Challenge-EN.pdf
Are you a tech whiz between the ages of 15 and 35? Do you have a brilliant idea to improve Cameroon’s digital landscape? Then shine the light on your ideas by applying for the Blue Tech Challenge here 👉🏼 https://bluetechchallenge.camtel.cm