Digital economy is crucial for development – MINPOSTEL boss

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, has stated that increased investment in the digital sector of the country is a spinning wheel and vector for development.

She made the remark in Yaounde during the first national edition of the digital economy celebrated under the theme “The place of the digital economy in public policy given the emergence of Cameroon.”

The MINPOSTEL boss said the digital economy facilitates communication and information exchanges among humans in the different sectors.

“The administration has already introduced digital devices to advance the economy and foster wellbeing. Health and education have been improved upon, thanks to the use of some digital devices. The effective management of time and space between the patient and doctors as well as online education among others,” she stated.

The Minister said the forum would serve as a platform to reflect, intensify and exchange ideas with actors in the private sector and civil society organisations given elaborating strategies for the development of the digital sector.

“Stakeholders and development partners are determined to boost the digital sector, given that high-speed internet is very important because boosting the speed by 10 percent will increase economic growth by 1.4 percent.

She further called on all to actively invest in the growth of the digital sector, given that, it reinforces human capacity and employment opportunities.

The Minister reassured the population of Government’s efforts to greatly improve the sector such as the deployment of a revolutionary project aimed at laying a submarine cable of about 6,000km between Brazil and Cameroon with the intention of boosting telecommunications.

“Infrastructure and other telecommunications related departments will be improved upon to greatly activate the sector,” she reassured.

To academic don, Prof Jean Emmanuel Pondi, Government's investment in the digital economy such as in agriculture, e-governance and education can contribute to making the system and economy more vibrant.He called on the population to change the negative mindset and be optimistic, given the opportunities to be gained from the digital economy. “We need to support positive change towards service to the public. The digital economy will enable transparency and less corruption in the private and public sectors, given that, accountability and record management will be guaranteed and ensured.”

He called on the Government and stakeholders to make use of Cameroon’s comparative advantage in the solar and wind power sources to boost the digital sector.

Observers hold that the much talked about digital economy needs serious investments for the sector to be a reality, considering the obsolete equipment and infrastructure in the sector.