The NICI Plan development process in Cameroon was initiated in 2000 by ECA and supported by UNDP. A Team of National Experts worked for one year with the main stakeholders (Government, civil society, private sector, professional organizations, research and training institutions, etc.) to develop an integrated national ICT strategy. The document "PLAN NATIONAL DES INFRASTRUCTURES DE LA COMMUNICATION ET DE L’INFORMATION - PLAN N.I.C.I. CAMEROUN" was prepared in May 2001.

Although the May 2001 NICI Plan was not yet officially validated, the development process created a lot of enthusiasm and sensitized policy makers on the need to have a more systematic approach on ICT issues. It was in this context that the Government announced the creation of a High Authority in charge of ICT issues in Cameroon - the National Agency for Information and Communication Technology. The plan that was still unapproved; hence became outdated.

In July 2003, the Cameroon Minister of Posts and Telecommunications who is in charge of ICT development strategies in the country sent a request to resume the NICI process. ECA sent a mission to the Country from 8-12 August 2003 to assist the e-strategies formulation process.

After having discussed UNDP’s planned e-strategy development activities in Cameroon, it was agreed to move forward and request the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to lead the process. During the mission an inter-ministerial commission was proposed to participate in the NICI development process and get as much data and information as possible. This included thirty institutions from the public and private sectors as well as Civil Society Organizations.

The first draft NICI policy was finalized and submitted to the ECA in May 2004. The policy document identified ten priority areas that constitute the pillars of the policy. These were:

• Infrastructure
• Education
• Health
• Agriculture
• E-Government
• E-Commerce
• Tourism, environment and natural resources
• Youth and gender
• Development of human resources
• ICT services

The process of validating the draft policy started in September 2004.The policy development process led to the creation of a State Agency in charge of ICTs. The new agency is amending the draft ICT policy. The NICI plan is expected to be completed and submitted to the Government in October 2006.

A NICI consultant was recruited with backing by a 25 members NICI Committee drawn from all sectors of the Cameroonian society. The draft NICI was officially transmitted in April 2005. The Government created the National Agency for Information and Communication Technology (ANTIC), which falls under the Office of the President. The first officers of ANTIC were appointed in 2006 and had as first assignments finalization of the NICI policy. A national workshop was organized by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to review the draft NICI plan and advise ANTIC on ways and procedures to enable it own and carry the NICI process forward. The NICI was handed over officially to ANTIC in April 2006 for submission to Government.

AISI  |  ECA's Harnessing ICTs for Development   |  Country Profiles  |   Web Resources  |   NICI Terminology   |    African Governments on the Internet   |   Events Calendar

Copyright  © 1999-2006 Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
For comments and suggestions related to this web page, contact the webmaster