The Republic of Cameroon has inaugurated a two-day national forum in Yaoundé to deliberate the prospects and complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing the country’s socio-economic development. The initiative, which commenced on 7 July 2025, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and brings together stakeholders from the public sector, academia, and technology industries.

The forum’s principal objective is the formulation of a national AI strategy that is ethically grounded and culturally contextualised. In a statement at the event’s opening ceremony, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Minette Libom Li Likeng underscored the centrality of AI to Cameroon’s long-term transformation goals.

“Faced with the challenges of the 21st century, artificial intelligence represents a strategic lever to accelerate Cameroon’s emergence,” the minister remarked. She added that the forum exemplifies the government’s commitment to leveraging AI for governance, economic growth, and digital sovereignty within an inclusive framework.

Held under the theme “Promoting an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Economy through the Mobilisation of Artificial Intelligence for an Emerging Cameroon,” the gathering marks a significant step in aligning AI development with Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

According to the organising ministry, the forum is expected to culminate in a draft framework for AI governance. This includes mechanisms for ethical deployment, regulatory oversight, and the preservation of Cameroon’s cultural identity in the digital age.

Participants have also emphasised the urgent need for expanded digital infrastructure, enhanced data literacy, and the democratisation of access to AI tools. Experts highlighted that while AI presents tangible benefits in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, it also raises significant concerns relating to privacy, algorithmic bias, and job displacement—issues that necessitate robust policy intervention.

Cameroon’s approach mirrors broader regional efforts across Africa to adopt AI responsibly, echoing the positions outlined in reports from international bodies such as UNESCO and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), which advocate for homegrown regulatory frameworks in emerging digital economies.

The event also featured voices from leading universities, research institutions, and tech startups, who called for sustainable AI innovation ecosystems and equitable public-private partnerships. Several panel discussions focused on the risks of technological marginalisation and the imperative to ensure gender and youth inclusion in AI development processes.

As Cameroon takes early steps toward institutionalising artificial intelligence as a national priority, the outcomes of this forum may serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across Central Africa, reinforcing the continent’s aspiration to become a global participant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.