AGP Executive Report

Fintech Security: Cameroon’s ICT agency identified 3,914 vulnerabilities across 108 fintech audits. It has not said how many are critical or have been fixed. Research and Innovation: A Yaoundé workshop trained young scientists to turn research into practical solutions, amid concerns that findings from outside major cities often go unseen. AI Work: Cameroonian microworkers label images for AI systems for very low pay; one worker said four hours earned about 500 CFA francs, while power cuts often force him to rely on a generator. Critical Minerals: Soil samples from Elig-Mfomo showed high cobalt and nickel concentrations, pointing to potential mineral resources. Digital Services: Cameroon is looking to Côte d’Ivoire as it works to advance digital civil registration.

SME Finance: Cameroon proposed expanding entrepreneurship training nationwide with digital tools and AI, linking business owners to international mentors and creating financing schemes for technology-focused firms. Research and Innovation: A Yaoundé workshop organized by TREND Foundation trained young researchers and entrepreneurs to turn scientific findings into practical solutions, including work beyond the country’s major cities. Fintech Security: ANTIC identified 3,914 vulnerabilities in 108 audits of financial technology operators, citing weaknesses in data protection, access controls and business continuity; how many have been fixed remains unclear. Digital Platforms: At the Cameroon International Tech Summit, Yango highlighted its local network of more than 150 transport companies and safety training for about 300 partner drivers.

Research and Innovation: A Yaoundé workshop by the TREND Foundation trained researchers and young entrepreneurs to turn findings into practical solutions, addressing the limited visibility of research beyond Douala and Yaoundé. Fintech Security: ANTIC found 3,914 vulnerabilities in 108 fintech audits. The agency has not said how many were critical or fixed; a previous audit round identified more than 6,500 weaknesses. Mineral Research: A study of soil samples from Elig-Mfomo found high nickel and cobalt concentrations, including over 1% cobalt in one sample. The results point to a potential exploration area, not confirmed deposits. Mining Outlook: Cameroon’s mines minister says the Minta rutile and rare-earth project could be developed within three years, but no resource estimate, construction decision or infrastructure timetable has been published.

Fintech Security: Cameroon’s ANTIC found 3,914 vulnerabilities in 108 fintech audits, including weaknesses in access controls, data protection and business continuity. The agency has not said how many were critical or fixed. Biodiversity: Cameroon is among nine countries set to benefit from new conservation projects backed by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, with a combined budget of about $4.5 million. Dementia Research: A study involving participants in Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria found that stigma and misconceptions can lead families to hide, lock up or abuse relatives with dementia. Mineral Research: Soil samples from Elig-Mfomo in the Centre Region showed high nickel and cobalt concentrations, including more than 1% cobalt in one sample; researchers say the results point to an area for further exploration, not proof of widespread deposits. Mining Plans: Cameroon’s mines minister says the Minta rutile and rare-earth project could be developed within three years, though it has no published resource estimate or construction timetable.

Coffee Revival: A national workshop has put agroforestry at the centre of efforts to rebuild Cameroon’s coffee sector, whose annual output has fallen below 20,000 tonnes from more than 150,000 in the 1980s and 1990s. Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil-registration agency is studying Côte d’Ivoire’s digital system to help speed the rollout of a national database and link civil records with national ID. Critical Minerals: Researchers found nickel and cobalt in soil samples at Elig-Mfomo, including one sample with over 1% cobalt; the results point to exploration potential, not confirmed reserves. Mining Plans: Cameroon’s mines minister says the Minta rutile and rare-earth project could be developed within three years, though no resource estimate, construction decision or infrastructure timetable has been published. Food Safety: A study of poultry products from three regions detected heavy metals in chicken and eggs, with estimated exposure higher for children and adolescents, prompting calls for stronger monitoring.

Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil-status agency is studying Côte d’Ivoire’s digital registration system, including how to connect civil records with national ID databases. Across Africa, cross-border digital ID is technically within reach, but differences in governance and regulation remain major hurdles. Mineral Research: A study of soil in Elig-Mfomo found high nickel and cobalt in some samples, including one with over 1% cobalt and 0.75% nickel. Researchers caution that nine samples do not show how widespread the metals are. Food Safety: A study of poultry products from three regions detected heavy metals in chicken and eggs; estimated exposure was higher for children and adolescents, prompting calls for stronger monitoring.

Critical Minerals: A study of soil samples from Elig-Mfomo found cobalt concentrations above 1% and nickel up to 0.75%, suggesting a new exploration target. The results come from only nine samples and do not establish deposit-wide grades. Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil registration agency is studying Côte d’Ivoire’s digital system to help build a national database and connect it with identity services. Mining Plans: The mines minister says the Minta rutile and rare-earth project could be developed within three years, but no resource estimate, construction decision or infrastructure timeline has been published. Food Safety: A study of poultry and eggs from three regions detected heavy metals, with some estimated exposure risks higher for children and adolescents, prompting calls for stronger monitoring.

Mining Plans: Cameroon’s mines minister says the Minta rutile and rare-earth project could be developed within three years, but Lion Rock Minerals has yet to publish a resource estimate or set a construction timetable. Mineral Research: Soil samples from Elig-Mfomo showed cobalt and nickel concentrations of up to more than 1% and 0.75%, respectively. Researchers say the results point to a new area for exploration, not proven deposits across the locality. Digital Services: Cameroon’s civil-registration agency is studying Côte d’Ivoire’s digital system and database links as it works to accelerate the national civil-status database. Science & Health: A University of Buea lecture urged greater investment in research as quantum science advances. Separately, a study found heavy metals in chicken and egg samples from three regions, with some estimated risks above safe thresholds for consumers.

Critical Minerals: Researchers found high cobalt and nickel concentrations in two soil samples from Elig-Mfomo, including one with over 1% cobalt and 0.75% nickel. The results point to a potential exploration area, but do not show that these levels are widespread. Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil registration agency studied Côte d’Ivoire’s digital system, including how to link civil records with national ID data, as it works to accelerate a national database rollout. Food Safety: A study of poultry from three regions detected all six tested heavy metals in eggs; estimated exposure was higher for children and adolescents, highlighting the need for stronger monitoring. Science Research: A University of Buea physicist urged more investment in research and innovation, saying quantum science could reshape technology. Energy Infrastructure: Cameroon’s first phase of its power link with Chad is now estimated at CFA145.2 billion, with 426 kilometres of transmission lines planned and electricity exports of 100 megawatts targeted by 2030. The estimate is not an approved financing package.

Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil-registration agency is studying Côte d’Ivoire’s digital systems and how to link civil records with national ID as it works to build a national database. Food Safety Research: A study of poultry from three regions found heavy metals in chicken and eggs, with some estimated exposure levels above safe thresholds for certain groups, raising calls for stronger monitoring. Research & Computing: A University of Buea lecture highlighted quantum computing’s potential and urged more government support for research and innovation. AI Infrastructure: Cameroon’s digital plans include a new economy strategy, calls for interoperable public digital systems and a target to host all critical government data locally by 2030. Power Links: The Cameroon–Chad interconnection’s first phase is now estimated at CFA145.2 billion, with 426 kilometres of transmission lines planned to support electricity exports to Chad by 2030.

Food Safety: A study of poultry from farms in Cameroon’s Centre, Littoral and West regions found heavy metals in chicken and eggs, with mercury levels in some liver samples reaching 845.5 µg/kg. Researchers warn that estimated exposure is higher for children and call for stronger monitoring. Digital Infrastructure: Cameroon’s new digital economy strategy and a Yaoundé declaration targeting local hosting of all critical government data by 2030 signal a push for digital sovereignty and interoperable public systems. Energy Links: The Cameroon–Chad power interconnection’s first phase is now estimated at CFA145.2 billion, with 426 km of transmission lines planned to enable electricity exports of 100 MW by 2030. Research and Innovation: A University of Buea lecture highlighted quantum physics as a potential source of major technological change, with calls for more government funding for research and innovation. Industrial Materials: Oriole Resources has applied to develop a marble quarry in the North, but licensing, financing and supply agreements are still pending.

Regional Power: Cameroon’s share of the Cameroon–Chad electricity link is now estimated at CFA145.2 billion, covering 426 km of transmission lines and substations. The project aims to enable 100 MW of power exports to Chad by 2030; the estimate is not an approved financing package. Research and Innovation: At the University of Buea, physicist Lukong Cornelius Fai urged greater investment in research as quantum technologies advance, warning that Cameroon and Africa risk being left behind. Digital Infrastructure: Cameroon’s technology agenda includes a push for interoperable digital public infrastructure and sovereign systems, with a Yaoundé declaration targeting local hosting of all critical government data by 2030. Forest Science: The Green Climate Fund approved a seven-year Cameroon project to conserve and restore more than 60,000 hectares across three forest landscapes, pairing stronger forest management with local livelihoods. Industry and Technology: Cameroon and the UK are exploring financing, equipment modernisation and technology transfer to help local timber businesses process more wood domestically.

Biodiversity: WWF’s Living Planet Report 2026, launched in Yaoundé, found monitored wildlife populations fell 73% worldwide from 1970 to 2022, with an 80% decline in Africa. Cameroon’s Congo Basin forests face pressure from land clearing and development. Digital Strategy: Cameroon is finalizing a national AI strategy focused on infrastructure, data governance, skills, research and responsible use, with goals including better public services and job creation. Data Sovereignty: A Cameroon summit called for interoperable digital public infrastructure and aims to have all critical government data hosted locally by 2030. Forest Protection: The Green Climate Fund approved a seven-year Cameroon project to conserve and restore more than 60,000 hectares, while supporting local forest-based livelihoods.

Forest Technology: The Green Climate Fund approved a seven-year Cameroon project to conserve and restore more than 60,000 hectares across three forest landscapes, while supporting forest communities and sustainable local businesses. Artificial Intelligence: Cameroon is finalizing a national AI strategy focused on digital infrastructure, data governance, workforce skills, research and responsible use. Digital Sovereignty: A Yaoundé declaration targets hosting all critical government data locally by 2030, alongside calls for interoperable digital public infrastructure across Africa. Telecommunications: CAMTEL’s general manager met US, EU and Polish representatives as the company seeks stronger international partnerships in the digital sector. Digital Agriculture: Youth groups at the Yaoundé Fair promoted digital farming to expand business opportunities for women.

Digital Payments: An AfricaNenda study says cross-border payments need at least $120 million, a binding African Union agreement and a regional oversight body to align regulations and cut costs. Forest Protection: The Green Climate Fund approved a seven-year Cameroon project targeting conservation and restoration of more than 60,000 hectares across three forest landscapes, while linking protection to local incomes. AI Strategy: Cameroon is finalising a national AI and digital economy strategy focused on infrastructure, data governance, skills, research and responsible use to support jobs and public services. Digital Sovereignty: A Yaoundé declaration sets a goal of hosting all critical government data locally by 2030, as a Cameroon summit calls for interoperable digital public infrastructure. Coastal Environment: Fishers in Kribi say offshore oil platforms restrict access to fishing grounds; the investigation also points to risks for marine life and coastal communities.

Telecoms: CAMTEL General Manager Judith Yah Sunday met US, EU and Polish representatives, with the company highlighting dialogue as a way to strengthen international ties around telecommunications and digital development. AI Strategy: Cameroon is finalizing a national AI and digital-economy strategy focused on infrastructure, data governance, skills, research and responsible use, with job creation and better public services among its aims. Digital Sovereignty: A Yaoundé declaration targets local hosting of all critical government data by 2030, while a Cameroon summit called for interoperable digital public infrastructure and sovereign systems. Agri-tech: A Yaoundé fair connected young women entrepreneurs with agricultural technology, training, markets and finance to help grow their businesses. Cybersecurity: Cameroon took part in INTERPOL’s Africa-wide cybercrime operation, which reported 1,462 arrests, more than $105 million recovered and nearly 11,000 malicious networks disrupted.