Cameroon eyes national interoperability infrastructure to drive digital govt

Stakeholders in Cameroon have emphasized the urgent need for the establishment of a national interoperability infrastructure to effectively drive the country’s digital government agenda.

The suggestion was made as participants drawn from government, the private sector, and civil society organizations met in the capital, Yaounde, this week for a three-day event dubbed the Cameroon Internet Governance Forum 2026. It took place under the theme: “From fragmentation to interoperability: making data the foundation of digital public infrastructure in Cameroon.”

One of the issues proposed during the reflections was the need to consider putting in place a legal framework to guide the country’s digital government ambitions. Other African countries such as Madagascar are also pursuing the implementation of national interoperability infrastructure to advance their digital government agenda.

Over the years, Cameroon has been engaged in several activities to advance its digital transformation. The country has a new biometric national ID launched early last year. But although the legal framework governing it provides for a digital version of the card, that has yet to be operationalized as citizens still depend only on the physical ID for day-to-day transactions. Now, concerned parties believe it is time to take concrete action and move the country towards a fully digital ecosystem.

Away with isolated systems

Speaking during the event, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, who represented the Prime Minister, outlined efforts being undertaken by the government to digitally transform the country, but emphasized an increasing need for a coordinated and collective approach where citizens can access public services in a unified manner, with ease and in a trusted environment.

“The theme of this event gives a clear direction. We must now move beyond the juxtaposition of isolated platforms to build a genuine national digital ecosystem,” she stated.

“Interoperability does not mean that all administrations must use a single system. Rather, it means that their systems should be able to communicate with one another on the basis of common standards, shared reference frameworks, secure exchange mechanisms and clearly established governance rules.”

She also highlighted the importance of data: “Building such infrastructure requires data to be recognised as a strategic resource. We need to know what data is available, who is responsible for it, under what conditions it can be used or shared, and what safeguards must surround its use.”

Cameroon has a Personal Data Protection legislation enacted in December 2024, but most of it, including the creation of a National Data Protection Commission, is yet to come alive.

Likeng added: “All of this requires stronger coordination among administrations, effective involvement of the private sector, solid technical expertise and the permanent participation of citizens.”

The minister also underscored the importance of a trust framework, stating: “We must strengthen cybersecurity and digital trust. These are essential conditions for the sustainable adoption of online services and for the effective protection of citizens, businesses and public institutions.”

The operational coordinator of the Forum, François-Joseph Nemete Beyeme, also highlighted the importance of having a national interoperability infrastructure. He said it was needless for a citizen to provide their identity several times to several entities while seeking different public services. The official added that with a unified and interoperable system, a person’s digital ID could be reused across platforms when they seek services.

Connectivity is essential

During the discussions in Yaounde, the state-owned telecommunications company, CAMTEL, was reminded of its key role in the digital government drive. Likeng said there is no digital government or digital transformation if there is no connectivity.

“First, we must ensure equitable access to the Internet, so that every citizen, regardless of their social circumstances or geographical location, can benefit from the opportunities created by digital technologies,” she declared.

Cameroon currently has less than 50 percent of national internet coverage, according to figures from the country’s National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC), the government agency driving digital transformation.

CAMTEL, last year, entered into a partnership with Ethiopia’s Ethio Telecom for experience sharing on how to support Cameroon’s digital transformation. Ethio Telecom, for its part, is a major player in Ethiopia’s digital transformation landscape, supporting the country’s digital identity expansion drive, as well as other aspects such as digital service access facilitation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and innovation, and digital skilling, among others.

Cameroon’s digital transformation is unfolding under an umbrella initiative called Digital Transformation Acceleration Project for Cameroon (PATNUC) supported by the World Bank, as well as cooperation frameworks involving the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).

The project touches on several aspects of digital transformation, including digital security and sovereignty, the facilitation of digital services through a streamlined digital government system, as well as other related areas.

This ties in squarely with the objectives of the 2030 National Development Strategy (NDS30) which places a premium on a digital government system that enables Cameroonians to easily access public services.

Article Topics

Africa  |  Cameroon  |  digital government  |  government services  |  interoperability  |  trust framework