By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon Telecommunication, CAMTEL experts and Members of Parliament, MPs have discussed strategies for reinforcing the national digital legal framework.
This was the subject of discussions that took place on June 25 in Yaounde during the commemoration of the CAMTEL Parliamentarians’ Day held under the theme, “Digital Industry Legislation for the structural transformation of Cameroon’s Economy.”
Speaking during the event, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi, Director General of CAMTEL, stressed the crucial role of digital technology in today’s globalized world. She highlighted its potential to propel economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness across various sectors.
Judith Yah Sunday underscored the alignment of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30) with this vision, positioning the digital sector as a cornerstone for Cameroon’s economic transformation.
Despite its advantages, Judith Yah Sunday stated that the digital sector faces challenges that necessitate strategic interventions. She pinpointed data security, privacy concerns, and digital infrastructure management as key areas requiring a robust legal framework.
“These challenges, which include data security, respect for privacy, digital infrastructure management, and others, call for a strengthening of the digital legal framework,” she said.
She also stressed the urgency for regulations governing data collection, processing, and use in cyberspace, particularly in light of growing international and national anxieties surrounding data breaches. Judith Yah Sunday advocated for a balanced approach that fosters technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, while upholding ethical and social considerations.
“This should also ensure a balance between the development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and ethical and social considerations,” she added.
While effective management of digital infrastructures is essential to ensure the resilience and security of our economy and society as a whole, she said digital infrastructures, including telecommunications and critical IT systems, must be regulated in such a way as to guarantee their availability, integrity, and security in the face of cyber threats and malicious attacks.
On his part, Hon. Julien Bara, President of the Network of Parliamentarians in charge of Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (REPATIC), acknowledged CAMTEL’s pivotal role in digital innovation and the need for updated legislation to keep pace with emerging technologies.
Hon Peters Njume Ambang, MP and REPATIC member, reiterated Parliament’s commitment to supporting the Director General’s great vision by enacting laws that enhance Cameroon’s digital competitiveness on a global scale.
Olufemi Arosanyin, Chief Executive Officer of IHS Towers, commended the Director General’s efforts and emphasized the critical role of infrastructure as the foundation of every nation’s digital economy. “Infrastructure is the foundation and heartbeat of digital economy in every country.”
The event featured presentations, roundtable discussions, and analyses focused on fostering digital technology development within the framework of the SND30. Discussions also centered on legislative considerations, challenges, the role of Parliamentarians, international experiences with digital governance, and Cameroon’s legal framework for digital infrastructure management.
CAMTEL Parliamentarians’ Day serves as another milestone in a series of events organized by the company over the past few months. The day was held as part of the company’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. Over the past few months, CAMTEL has organized a series of events focused on the role of digital technologies and ICTs in achieving Cameroon’s economic development goals.
This includes, CAMTEL Digital Day, CAMTEL Decentralization Day, CAMTEL Digital Infrastructure Day, CAMTEL Youth Day, CAMTEL Women’s Day, CAMTEL Diplomacy and Regional Integration Day, and CAMTEL Business Day and CAMTEL Digital Sovereignty Day among others.
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