Women and Digital inclusion: an Imperative for Cameroon’s Digital Transformation
The clarion call was made to the women of MINPOSTEL and those in the structures under its supervisory authority at the launching ceremony of the 1st edition of MINPOSTEL Digital Talk organized in partnership with INTELLEM SYESTEMS Sarl under the theme: “Women, as Full Stakeholders in Cameroon’s Digital Transformation”, on Tuesday 11 March, 2025 in MINPOSTEL.
Women in Cameroon face significant barriers to accessing and using ICTs, including limited digital literacy, lack of access to affordable internet and societal norms that discourage women from pursuing careers in technology.
To bridge the digital divide in order for women to bring their own contributions to the construction of digital transformation, various initiatives have been launched to promote digital inclusion and empower women in Cameroon. These strategies include providing training programs, mentorship opportunities and access to digital resources. However, these efforts have not taken the women to the expected level of autonomy reason why strategies and programs multiply by the day.
One of such programs is the MINPOSTEL Digital Talk, whose 1st edition held on Tuesday 11th March 2025, in MINPOSTEL. The event that was organized in partnership with INTELLEM SYSTEMS Sarl consulting firm was placed under the theme: “Women, as full stakeholders in Cameroon’s Digital Transformation”.
Presiding at the official launching ceremony was the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, who outlined the objectives of this edition stating that, “the meeting with women is essentially to sensitize them on their role in the construction of Digital transformation.” She emphasized on the fact that there is more to digital technology than meet the eyes which some have reduced to a medium for misinformation, hate speech and cybercriminality. “It’s an indispensable lever for the economic, social and cultural development of our country. It transforms the way we learn, work, communicate and even govern”, she said.
Asserting to the fact that many women have made it in the digital domain, Minette Libom Li Likeng equally admitted that there is still much to do and women have that power as well as the necessary leadership skills to build a solid inclusive digital transformation. She prescribed capacity building and training, motivating the women to dare, create, innovate without fear of judgments, multiply initiatives and financing of programs dedicated to women in tech, create mentoring and support networks. According to the Minister, it’s an opportunity offered to women of her ministerial department and structures under its supervisory authority (ANTIC, TRB, CAMTEL, CAMPOST and SUP’PTIC), in a bid for them to gain autonomy and encourage young girls.
“Women are their keys to this digital transformation. Today, with digital technology, we can carry out many activities. So we want the women of the sector to get a mastery of digital transformation elements.” She added.
The exchange session that was animated by the founder of INTELLEM SYSTEMS Sarl, Mrs. Francoise EKOLLO, a militant of inclusive digital transformation, saw the women gaining knowledge and skills in digital transformation and digitalization, Artificial Intelligence (AI), change management and leadership at the heart of digital revolution, cybersecurity and the protection of women and girls on social networks. It was an exciting moment as the women who already had ongoing activities realized how much digital technology could enhance their productivity thereby, contributing not only in digital transformation but also to the country’s digital economy.
