Yaoundé – Cameroon’s government pledged Tuesday to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) recommendations into national policy following a two-day conference that brought together experts, officials and industry leaders to chart the country’s AI strategy.
The National Consultations on AI (CONIA) 2025 concluded in Yaoundé with commitments to expand digital infrastructure, support local innovation and create public-private partnerships for AI development.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications sponsored the event under Prime Minister patronage.
Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng said Cameroon possesses the human resources needed to meet AI challenges.
“We are now at a turning point of national appropriation and the reconstruction of a common vision of digital governance,” she told participants.
The conference produced a consolidated strategic document on AI governance that will be submitted to the Prime Minister for integration into national policy.
The strategy centers on seven areas including the establishment of a dedicated AI Authority and Presidential Council, according to officials familiar with the plan.
The framework calls for developing a sovereign large language model dubbed “GPT Cameroon” to support local languages, while infrastructure plans include deploying solar-powered edge computing nodes across all regions.
Officials said the government will create a national data repository and establish interoperability standards for public services.
Training initiatives aim to prepare 4,000 people annually for AI roles, with five national centers of excellence planned to strengthen research capacity.
The strategy targets AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, education and justice sectors, while supporting startup development through sector-specific innovation programs.
Libom Li Likeng confirmed the strategy would include governance mechanisms, sustainable financing and evaluation tools to ensure implementation.
Regional cooperation features prominently, with plans for a Central African AI network and mechanisms to export locally developed tools under a “Made in Cameroon” designation.
Six high-level panels addressed AI applications across sectors, with particular focus on generative AI’s potential to strengthen governance and national autonomy.
Nanosatellite Missions Design (NMD) CEO Dr. Ifriky Tadadjeu was among the thought leaders shaping the national conversation.
His intervention emphasized the strategic intersection of generative AI and how this synergy can accelerate Africa’s autonomy in both data and innovation.
Conference participants emphasized security, inclusion and practical AI applications tailored to national needs.
Recommendations included expanding women and youth participation in AI development and building local and international partnerships.
The gathering drew researchers, entrepreneurs, public agency leaders, journalists and innovators.
Discussions centered on ensuring Cameroon shapes AI technologies responsibly rather than simply adopting them.
Officials stressed the strategy would receive active implementation support. “This strategy will not remain a dead letter,” Libom Li Likeng said. “We will ensure that governance mechanisms, sustainable financing and evaluation tools are fully embedded to guarantee long-term impact.”
