MINPOSTEL Releases 5th Edition Shortlist, Expands Finalists from 15 to 20

Friday, 24th July 2026 marked a major milestone in the fifth edition of Digital Innovation Week as the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL) officially unveiled the long-awaited shortlist for its flagship innovation competition. In a move that underscores the exceptional quality and relevance of this year's submissions, the ministry announced 20 finalists instead of the initially planned 15.

Speaking after the preselection exercise, Mr. POKAM Antoine, Inspector in Charge of Technical Affairs No. 3 at MINPOSTEL and a member of the evaluation commission, explained that the outstanding standard of submissions prompted the ministry to revise its initial target. "The project previously planned to award 15, but looking at the pertinence and quality of the projects, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications stepped it up to 20," he said.

The announcement follows the official launch of the fifth edition of Digital Innovation Week through a press briefing delivered on 22 June 2026 by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng. Organized under the theme "Protecting Cyberspace from the Misuse of Artificial Intelligence and Promoting Digital Patriotism," this year's edition seeks to encourage innovative digital solutions that address emerging cybersecurity challenges while promoting the responsible and patriotic use of digital technologies.

According to Mr. POKAM Antoine, Digital Innovation Week has become a key platform for nurturing innovation in Cameroon. Now in its fifth edition, the initiative continues to adapt to the evolving digital landscape, particularly with the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence. "The major change rests on the dynamism of digital technology, which is presently faced with the outbreak of Artificial Intelligence. Cameroon cannot remain indifferent in this era of AI," he noted.

Rigorous Evaluation by a Team of Experts

The preselection exercise was conducted by a 10-member commission under the presidency of Mr. Songang Etung Joseph, Inspector General in Charge of Technical Affairs. Working for two weeks, the commission reviewed 631 applications submitted through MINPOSTEL's online platform, comprising 496 men and 135 women from across the country.

Each project underwent a thorough assessment based on clearly defined criteria. Beyond reviewing concepts, the commission verified the existence of prototypes, assessed the feasibility of proposed solutions, examined their innovative features, and evaluated their alignment with the competition's theme.

Mr. POKAM Antoine explained that "there was first of all the need to attribute marks and harmonize our methodology, which consisted of verifying each project to ensure it had a prototype, analyzing the solutions proposed, identifying their lapses and innovative characteristics. At the end, the marks were harmonized to obtain an average for each project."

He added that the commission drew on the experience of experts who have spent years working on digital transformation and technology-related challenges within the ministry and beyond.

Rising Youth Participation

While Mr. POKAM Antoine believes it would be unfair to compare projects across different editions because digital technology evolves rapidly, he acknowledged a remarkable increase in participation.

This year, MINPOSTEL received 631 applications, compared to 427 during the previous edition, reflecting the growing enthusiasm of young Cameroonians to use innovation in solving national digital challenges.

"The projects that we selected, based on a well-structured term of reference, aimed at providing solutions to our daily digital challenges. The chosen projects are the best," Mr. POKAM Antoine said.

What next?

The 20 shortlisted innovators are expected at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on 26 July 2026 ahead of a boot camp that begins the following day. During the programme, participants will receive coaching from technology experts to further refine their innovations.

The schedule also includes a Startups Day on 29 July, featuring an innovators' exhibition, masterclasses, and exchanges with successful startup founders. On 30 July, the finalists will pitch their projects before a grand jury of experts, who will rank them from first to twentieth position. The week-long event will culminate on 31 July 2026 with the official closing ceremony and the award of prizes. Although every finalist will receive a prize, the overall winner will take home the prestigious Head of State's Prize of CFA 10 million.