The framework agreement that makes Bafoussam Cameroon’s pioneer digital city was signed in Bafoussam by CAMTEL’s General Manager Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi Achu and Bafoussam’s City Mayor, Roger Tafam.

‘Bafoussam Smart City’, CAMTEL’s General Manager said, is one of those small steps, which mark the history of an institution, a community, a region.

“The signing of this framework agreement marks the beginning of an era of innovation that will gradually lead to the transformation of the City of Bafoussam into a Smart City,” said Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi Achu.

She said the implementation of the framework agreement will make Bafoussam an innovative city, which uses ICT to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants, the efficiency of urban management and urban services as well as the significant improvement of competitiveness in the economic, social, environmental and cultural fields.

Through the “Smart City” initiative, Bafoussam will meet the requirements of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for which Cameroon has committed itself, said CAMTEL’s General Manager.

“The Lord Mayor of the City of Bafoussam, allow me to commend you on this pioneering role you have set which will certainly be emulated by your colleagues in charge of the management of Cameroon cities,” said Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi Achu. “We are committed to seeing that this commendable initiative you have taken will succeed; making you a reference, thus encouraging your fellow municipal administrators from near and wide to come and learn from Bafoussam how to build a digital city.”

That Bafoussam chose to become Cameroon’s first Smart City in collaboration with CAMTEL, the country’s lone incumbent national operator in the field of electronic communications, Mrs Achidi Achu said it will be a win-win partnership for both institutions.

Her words: “We consider this a win-win partnership for both the Bafoussam City Council and CAMTEL. For this reason, I want to assure you that CAMTEL shall put at your disposal its best and latest technical skills and expertise to ensure a resounding success of this partnership. Its success is our pride. Together, we will build a connected city, a digital city, a Smart City for the well-being of the people of your friendly city.”

To City Mayor Tafam, making Bafoussam a digital city is “a dream that is nourished by the Very High Will of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul BIYA, who, in the design of Cameroon's strategic vision, contained in the National Development Strategy Cameroon 2020-2030, has made the promotion of the digital economy an important lever for the emergence of our country.”

Aside from providing the Bafoussam City Council with equipment and tools likely to empower its operations and, in turn, improve its performance, they seek to, through the Bafoussam Smart City, offer to the population an environment conducive for their development.

“In addition, TOTAL African Cup of Nations Cameroon 2022, of which we will have the honour to welcome one of the pools, calls on our part, for significant efforts on our part, as much for the inhabitants of the city as for the thousands of visitors who will make the trip to Bafoussam,” Tafam said.

Pledging his commitment to make Bafoussam Smart City a reality, City Mayor Tafam said the initiative will improve the quality of the services of the Bafoussam City Council, and impact urban governance in the domains of youth employment, tourism, culture, education and much more.

“Together we will make this city, the heart of digital Cameroon, the "Silicone Valley of Central Africa, in particular by setting up an incubator for digital projects and businesses,” he said.