PURPOSE OF THE MISSION

At the request of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, the Minister of Post and Telecommunications (PTT) was instructed to organize a seminar with the aim of proposing recommendations to establish a national e-commerce and Internet policy. The Minister of PTT requested the assistance of the ITU in defining this policy and an action plan aimed at facilitating the expansion of Internet and e-commerce in Cameroon. The two-day seminar was attended by more than 200 delegates including senior-level government officials, Director Generals of corporations, diplomats, university professors, the Cameroon BAR Association, financial sector, NGOs and trade organizations.

The mission had the following objectives:

Represent the ITU/BDT at the seminar and re-assure the government of Cameroon that the absence of an ITU resident representative in Cameroon (for the Central African) region is not an indication of the lack of interest of the ITU in the central African region or the country.

Highlight the role of the ITU in assisting developing countries in the technical, policy and human resources areas of e-business.

Assist the national operator (Cameroon Telecommunications - CAMTEL) in an ongoing national e-commerce project coordinated by the ITU.

Meet with decision-makers from the Regulatory Agency (ART), the Ministry of PTT and CAMTEL to facilitate the implementation of an ITU e-commerce and Internet project for an association of more than 3500 women entrepreneurs (ASAFE) from several African countries. This project is an activity also being undertaken as a result of the VAP Chapter 1 Programme 1.6 and PP98 Resolution 7 on Gender Issues.

PERSONS MET

H.E. Isaac NJIEMOUN, Minister of PTT.

H.E. Denis OUMAROU, Secretary of State for PTT.

Mr. Nobert NKUIPOU, Director of the National Observatory on ICTs at the Ministry of PTT.

Mr. SONFAC, Director of Studies and Planning, Ministry of PTT.

Mr. Richard MAGA, Deputy Director General of CAMTEL.

Ms. Paulette ABENKOU, Director of Studies and Operations at CAMTEL.

Mr. FOKOU, Cameroon Regulatory Agency (ART).

Professor Emmanuel TONYE, Technical Adviser, Ministry of Higher Education

Dr. Wawa NGENGE, National Coordinator, Sustainable Development Network Programme (SDNP) Cameroon.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

The mission provided an opportunity to highlight the activities and the role of ITU in addressing ICT issues, the e-business activities undertaken by the ITU (EC-DC).

Through presentations, meetings and discussions, policy guidance on e-commerce and Internet was given to the National E-commerce Team on recommendations to be submitted through the Minister of PTT to the Prime Minister and the President.

Meetings with the Minister of PTT and other decision-makers to highlight the importance of ICTs as a tool for economic development and poverty alleviation.

Meetings with authorities from the Regulatory Agency, the incumbent operator and the Ministry of PTT to facilitate the implementation an ITU E-commerce and Internet project for ASAFE using wireless technology as a solution for establishing Internet access.

Discussions with CAMTEL on the final phase of the national e-commerce project. Assistance was provided on the technology strategy and in defining the requirements of the CAMTEL staff who will run and operate these services.

RESULTS

The government of Cameroon and the delegates highly appreciated the assistance of the ITU in through its work and its participation in the seminar. This was expressed in the closing remarks made by the Minister of PTT.

At the end of the two-day seminar, the recommendations for government action were handed to the Minister of PTT who will forward them to the President.

A big push was given to the two ITU e-commerce projects in Cameroon.

As a result of the meetings with the Regulatory Agency, the Ministry and CAMTEL, significant progress was made towards solutions for the implementation of Internet and E-commerce infrastructures using wireless technology for reliability and high bandwidth.

CONCLUSIONS

The objectives for the mission were met. The activities of the ITU in the area of e-business were very much appreciated. The mission also helped in assuring the government of Cameroon that the Central African Region and Cameroon in particular were not being abandoned by the ITU.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The competition faced by the ITU in its ICT activities for developing countries is becoming a real challenge as several organizations are involved in what used to be activities undertaken by the ITU. Several other organizations such as the UNDP and the World Bank are beginning to play this role in Africa.

With more than 25 African countries participating in the EC-DC initiative, it is clear that e-commerce is becoming a high priority for several African countries. E-commerce has been identified as one of the priority activities to be discussed during ITU regional preparatory meeting for Africa. ITU’s activities in this need to be re-enforced. There is a growing need for assistance in defining national and regional e-commerce policies and strategies.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

Efforts will be made to make sure that the two ITU coordinated e-commerce projects in Cameroon be inaugurated during the regional preparatory meeting to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon in May 2001.

ANNEXES

Opening Speech by Minister of PTT.

Closing Speech by Minister of PTT.

Recommendations for Government Action.

Technology Strategy for E-business in Developing Countries.