The General Manager of the Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi made the pledge during a recent two-day conference held at the National Assembly under the theme “Connected Territories: The Digital Impetus of Business Start-ups.”
The General Manager of the Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL,Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi has reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to advancing youth entrepreneurship in Cameroon through the power of digital technology. This pledge was made during a two-day conference held at the Paul Biya National Assembly Glass House in Yaoundé under the theme “Connected Territories: The Digital Impetus of Business Start-ups.” Organized by the Parliamentary Network for the Promotion of Private Entrepreneurship in partnership with CAMTEL, the forum aimed to explore entrepreneurial synergy for territorial development.
It brought together lawmakers, ICT experts, young entrepreneurs, representatives from the private sector, FEICOM, and local development stakeholders from across the country. A key highlight of the event was the signing of a co-development convention between CAMTEL and the Institut Privé d’Enseignement Supérieur, PES. The agreement aims to implement digital entrepreneurship initiatives at the regional and municipal levels. Presiding over the event on behalf of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Hon. Cavayé Yéguié Djibril, was Hon. Baoro Théophile, Deputy Speaker. He was joined by Hon. Roger Melingui, President of the Parliamentary Network for the Promotion of Private Entrepreneurship, and CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi.
In her keynote address, CAMTEL General Manager, Judith Yah Sunday outlined the company’s vision to integrate digital transformation with national development priorities. “This initiative gives us the opportunity to reflect strategically on how to improve not just our performance, but also our contribution to achieving the national development goals outlined in the 2020–2030 National Development Strategy,” she said. She emphasized that local municipalities are now central to efforts aimed at transforming Cameroon’s economic structure, noting that “entrepreneurial centers within municipalities can be engines of innovation and job creation through digital technology.”
Sunday added that CAMTEL’s services will be key in empowering young innovators to establish startups, access digital infrastructure, and scale their businesses. “Nothing can be done without telecommunications—in schools, hospitals, homes, businesses, banks, and government institutions,” she stressed.
National Assembly Endorses Youth Innovation
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Baoro Théophile lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of young Cameroonians and called on them to remain resilient. “The government cannot employ everyone,” he said, “which is why we encourage our youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.” Local governments were urged to foster an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
Anicet Akoa, Vice President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC, called on mayors to invest in infrastructure, simplify administrative procedures, and adopt moderate tax policies to support local startups. He stressed that local councils must actively promote entrepreneurship by aligning economic policies with digital opportunities and establishing partnerships with CAMTEL to make municipalities digital hubs.
Recognizing Champions of Innovation
The event also honored several entrepreneurs and innovation leaders with certificates of recognition from the Parliamentary Network. Recipients included Hon. Djomgoue Paul Eric, IAI-Cameroon Director Armand Claude Abanda, Yvonne Belema, Senator Françoise Puene, Antoine Nkolo, and Ottou Acrescence. As Cameroon pushes ahead with its decentralization and economic modernization plans, CAMTEL’s involvement is positioning digital technology as a cornerstone of youth empowerment and territorial development.
The partnership with PES and collaboration with local councils mark significant steps toward transforming Cameroon into a digitally-driven, entrepreneurial nation.
