By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Regulatory institutions under the Forum of Regulatory Institutions of Cameroon (FIRC) have explored ways to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen regulatory frameworks in the country.
This initiative was the focus of a two-day capacity-building workshop on AI for Public Sector Regulators, held in Yaoundé from January 21 to 22, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence as an Essential Solution for Public Service Regulators.”
Opening deliberations, Prof. Ebot Ebot Enaw, Director General of the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) and President of FIRC, emphasized AI’s potential to transform regulation.
He highlighted that the emergence of AI presents a remarkable opportunity to enhance regulatory efforts, enabling them to better serve citizens, improve decision-making processes, and create more efficient, responsible, and ethical regulatory frameworks.
“With the ability to analyze vast datasets in real time, AI offers insights that were previously beyond our reach,” Prof. Ebot Enaw said. “This capability can fundamentally redefine how we approach regulatory tasks, allowing us to identify trends, predict outcomes, and make decisions with unprecedented precision and speed.”
He stressed that adopting AI in public service regulation is not merely a technological shift but a transformative opportunity. “By leveraging AI, we can make regulatory processes more accessible, efficient, and citizen-centric while also addressing the challenges posed by the digital age. Our goal is to enhance performance, improve transparency, and foster innovation in the regulation of public services.”
Honoré Demenou Tapamo, Deputy Director General of the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL) and workshop coordinator, stated that the workshop aimed to equip participants with the ability to use AI tools in their daily work. He noted that these regulatory entities have faced a lack of awareness and tools to ensure optimal performance.
Established on March 26, 2021, in Yaoundé, the Forum of Regulatory Institutions of Cameroon (FIRC) brings together eight regulatory bodies: National Port Authority (APN), National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC), Hydrocarbon Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH), the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), Standards and Quality Agency (ANOR), Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL), Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ARMP), Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART), and the Radiological Safety and Nuclear Security Authority (ASRAN), formerly the National Agency for Radioprotection (ANRP).
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