Cameroonian AI association, IAC, to begin second edition April 22

The groundbreaking event will take place at the Hilton Hotel, the International Relations Institute of Cameroon and the National Advanced School of Engineering, from April 22 to 24.

The Cameroonian association of artificial intelligence, known by its French language abbreviation as, IAC, is gearing up for the second edition of the 2025 Cameroon Days of Artificial Intelligence, CDAI. The event scheduled to run from April 22 to 24. It will be organized at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, IRIC, and the National Advanced School of Engineering.

In anticipation of the event, the IAC held a press conference in Yaounde last Friday April 4 at the multisectoral regional bureau of United Nations agency for education, science and culture, UNESCO. The gathering was used to unveil the key innovations and outline the objectives of this year’s national event dedicated to AI advancement.

Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: Innovate to Transform,” the second edition aims to deepen national discourse on AI, celebrate local innovations, and reaffirm Cameroon’s ambition to become a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. Placed under the joint patronage of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the National Commission for UNESCO in Cameroon, the event is spearheaded by IAC President, Boris Landry Kouekam.

Speaking to the press, Kouekam highlighted the evolving vision of the initiative. “This year, we are proud to introduce two major innovations,” he stated in part. “First, the launch of the Cameroon Artificial Intelligence Awards, and second, the creation of a strategic document identifying national AI stakeholders, which will be submitted to the government.”

The AI Awards will spotlight over 60 Cameroonian-led projects during a three-day exhibition described as a “100% AI showcase,” Kouekam added, further detailing that the fair is expected to position Cameroon as an emerging hub for applied AI and digital innovation on the continent.

UN pledges strong support

UNESCO, through its regional representative Yves Thierry, pledged strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for ethical, inclusive AI in Africa’s development. “This event embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that our world needs now more than ever,” Thierry noted, praising Cameroon’s commitment to responsible technological progress.

Adding an institutional perspective, Anne Lawrence Moume, focal point for AI at Cameroon’s National Commission for UNESCO, recalled the 2021 adoption of the Global Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence at UNESCO’s General Conference in Paris. She noted that Cameroon is actively integrating these principles through national consultations and policy development.

A standout innovation presented at the press conference was OSIA, an AI-powered educational guidance system developed by Dr. Frédéric Ngaba, who is a member of the event’s scientific committee. OSIA utilizes psychometric data, academic records, and AI modeling to offer personalized academic and career orientation.

 “Our education system can no longer afford to be opaque and outdated,” Dr. Ngaba said. “OSIA is designed to eliminate misorientation by providing personalized, data-driven guidance and even pedagogical therapy where needed.” With over 15,000 users and nearly 25 million FCFA in revenue, OSIA exemplifies the real-world potential of Cameroonian AI solutions.

The 2025 event will feature a packed schedule of panels, workshops, and conferences addressing key issues such as AI ethics, digital sovereignty, and data protection. Organizers aim to empower youth and professionals by facilitating knowledge transfer and encouraging the local development of impactful AI tools.

 The exhibition and awards ceremony will culminate in the presentation of a national registry of AI stakeholders, a comprehensive document mapping startup, research hubs, and key players in the Cameroonian AI ecosystem. According to Kouekam, the registry will serve as a vital policy tool and a foundation for public-private partnerships. “AI, when used as a co-pilot, can significantly boost productivity and competitiveness,” Kouekam stated. “Cameroon already has companies applying AI successfully.

We want to inspire many more.” Calling on the public and the tech community, IAC urges broad participation in the 100% AI exhibition, where locally developed and tropicalized AI solutions will be on full display. The first edition of the Cameroon Days of Artificial Intelligence was held in 2023, marking the beginning of what is quickly becoming a key annual milestone in Cameroon’s digital journey.