The association of Artificial Intelligence professionals in Cameroon, the AIC, has confirmed that the third edition of the Cameroon Days of AI will take place in Douala next year. The decision is among several resolutions of the groundbreaking second edition of the event which took place in Yaounde last week.
The three-day gathering which smoothly held at the Hilton Hotel, the National Advanced School of Engineering and International relations institute, IRIC in Yaounde from April 22 to 23, 2025, brought together AI professionals, policymakers, educators, and most importantly, young innovators from across the country. More than four high-level conferences were organized, focusing on the integration of AI into various sectors of society and the economy.
A major highlight of the event was the enthusiastic participation of young people, many of whom presented their innovative projects and prototypes. Their contributions demonstrated not only technical skill but also a deep sense of purpose in applying AI to local challenges.Kouekam expressed great satisfaction with the turnout and achievements of the event.
He emphasized that Cameroon has the talent it needs to thrive in the AI space, and there is no need to look abroad for solutions. “You witnessed the brilliance of those young innovators as they were honored. They are the pride of Cameroon—the future of our nation,” he said. One of the most symbolic moments of the event was a legendary geography teacher presenting an award to a young innovator, marking a powerful generational transfer that underscored the values of mentorship and continuity.
The conference also served as a platform to voice the challenges faced by students from technical and vocational institutions, who often struggle to find opportunities in an ecosystem that has yet to fully embrace artificial intelligence. Through this platform, the AIC sought to spotlight these often-overlooked youth and bring their skills to national attention. The event was further bolstered by the presence of international partners. The Coordinator of Platform Governance and Responsible AI Ethics, Anne Lawrence Moume, commended the efforts of the youth and expressed optimism about the country’s growing capacity to lead in AI.
The representative underlined the importance of promoting ethical and inclusive approaches to AI development. According to the Moume, Cameroon is currently undergoing an assessment to determine its readiness for AI governance, focusing on legal frameworks, infrastructure, and education systems. The hope is to create a supportive environment where AI can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development while ensuring ethical standards are maintained.
Dr. Patrick Seumen Tonou, general manager of ESSFAR and NUMIATECH, also shared his reflections during the closing session. He highlighted the importance of inclusive education and advocated for AI training to begin as early as secondary school. In his view, theoretical learning must be complemented with hands-on, project-based experiences to prepare students for the real-world applications of AI.
He also stressed the importance of offering continuous training for professionals already in the workforce, many of whom are uncertain or fearful about AI’s impact on job security. Dr. Tonou called for greater social dialogue in organizations to address these concerns and build confidence in the opportunities AI can bring to all sectors—from law and marketing to commerce and education. As the dust settles on the second edition, organizers have already begun laying the groundwork for the next.
With Douala chosen as the next host city, the AIC plans to broaden the scope of the event to include more international participants and deeper engagement with the Cameroonian diaspora. In fact, this year’s edition already drew attendees from as far away as United Kingdom.
According to Kouekam, the vision is to transform the conference into a sub-regional hub for AI, one that will not only place Cameroon at the heart of African innovation but also inspire neighboring countries to invest in AI capacity. As Cameroon sets its sights on 2026, the seeds planted during this second edition are expected to grow into a thriving AI ecosystem that embraces innovation, ethics, and inclusive development.
