By Doh James Sonkey
The General Manager of Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday epouse Achidi has assembled all stakeholders in Yaounde to better preserve Cameroon digital infrastructure because “without telecommunications, no business can function.”
She made the statement last January 16, 2024 at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel during CAMTEL Digital Infrastructure Day under the theme, “digital Infrastructure development and governance in the context of National Development Strategy, NDS30: challenges and prospects.”
Chairing CAMTEL Digital Infrastructure Day, the Director General of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday epouse Achidi, announced the creation in the days ahead of digital parks and technopoles in the country to boost services through the development of the production of digital content, increasing and diversifying digital services. She also explained that the modern facility will also help in developing the manufacturing and assembly of digital devices.
The CAMTEL GM said the place and role of telecommunications as an engine for industrialization in Cameroon are clearly stipulated in the National Development Strategy, NDS30.
In her opening statement, she said “the digital economy comprises three pillars; the first one described as the heart of the digital economy is based on the development of broadband electronic communications infrastructure and the IT and electronics sectors, while the second pillar is activities arising from the development of ICT and third pillar is the transformation of existing ones through the integration of ICT use.”
The event organized as part of exchanges and consultations marking the 25th anniversary of CAMTEL launched last year, dwelt on the importance of telecommunications as a driver of industrialization in Cameroon.
CAMTEL Infrastructure Day was an occasion for the mother of the telephony company in Cameroon to showcase it’s 25 years of history, new look and new path.
Participants from all sectors involved in digital economy brainstormed on the structural transformation of the economy through proper digital management, how to promote large-scale digital projects through integrated approaches, innovative fundings, telecommunications sector regulations, digital infrastructure governance and partnerships for joint and collaborative development of infrastructure among others.
Participants are expected to define the policy for the development of digital Infrastructure
In a chat with reporters, the General Manager of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday explained that “we decided not to celebrate through festive activities but rather through exchanges, seminars and workshops so that all different actors should come together and discuss on the importance of digital infrastructure. Government has invested much in digital infrastructure and we need to preserve it and to develop it further so that we can serve the entire nation. We are all aware that without telecommunications, no business can function. So, it is critical for us to call all those involve by this activity to come round the table so that we can see how to preserve it because you know that our digital infrastructure suffer from vandalism, destruction etc. So, we have to talk on how to do to better preserve this national infrastructure.”
Camtel’s Data Center in Zamangoe
With government’s support, Camtel has been able to build a dense network of facilities that promotes digital transformation in the country. It’s National Optical Fibre Backbone covering 12,000 km from Kye-Ossi to Kousseri is reliable, secure, and guarantees a high level of constant network availablity throughout the country. Camtel has four jointly owned international submarine cable system with landing points in the cities of Douala, Limbe and Kribi. Camtel’s Data Center in Zamangoe, is considered to be at the heart of digital transformation in the country and beyond. It plays a key role in the world of web and enhances the telecommunications ecosystem in Cameroon and Central Africa.