Can Cameroon prototype the e-commerce boom of Nigeria? Afrikebiz forum

As we all know the tech bubble which is going on in the world is also impacting the African continent in the trade and commerce industry, this is especially visible in the e-commerce industry which is impacting the Nigerian economy and has attracted the likes of many investment banks, hedge fund managers and angel investors backing the likes of konga and Jumia. There is therefore no doubt that such trends will continue as investors seeks for investment opportunities in the black continent which is said to be the next investment holy grail for investors. Therefore is about time neighboring countries catch up in the region with this new trend especially Cameroon which is considered the gateway into the CEMAC zone. It’s in this light that the AfrikeBiz e-business forum organized in Cameroon at the head office of GICAM Bonanjo under the patronage of the ministry of postes and telecommunications, the committee of Afrikebiz and other partners was all about E-commerce and a payment gateway.

As of now Cameroon does not have a payment gateway and which is also one of the main reasons why Cameroon is slowing catching up with the dotcom boom in Africa.

This was the 2nd edition of the forum held for 4 days from the 14 to 17 of April, the forum had for main objectives which were discussed on the 4 different days of the forum. This objectives included e-commerce, e-payment, telecommunication & logistics, and startups & Afrikebiz awards respectively for the 4 days of the event. The 1st day of the forum started with an opening speech from the minister of poste and telecommunications, it was followed by a talk on the digital economy such as development tools and how the digital world can help solve African economic and social problems, there were also highlights on how to build, manage and run a website which was presented by Ynote . Other key issues discussed on the 1st day included online & digital security, online community management and the experience of kaymu Cameroon presented by country manager MLLE CANDACE NKOTH BISSECK.

The 2nd day of the forum started with a work shop of 100 expositions followed by a talk on electronic payments and gateways. This was followed by a workshop on integrating visa and mastercard on a web platform presented by UBA (union bank of Africa). Other key issues included a talk of settling electric bills presented by Eneo, a workshop on e-banking and key issues of success presented by BNP Paribas, followed by a workshop on how mobile money can be used to have a large commercial platform for Africans presented by JOEL NLEPE Business Solutions Manager – MTN. The day ended with a round table on e-payment.

The 3rd day of the forum was the how the internet and WWW is helping in the economic development of Cameroon presented by CAMTEL, followed by a workshop on the domain name .cm presented by ANTIC and Ringo. Other key issues to take note of was 3G internet speed in the contribution of economic development of Cameroon presented by NEXTTEL, the importance of insurance operations in web transactions presented by ACTIVA. DHL came afterwards with a presentation of logistics and how e-commerce services should apply to use DHL logistics services and a brief presentation of DHL and its vision in helping start up. CAMPOST another logistic giant in Cameroon also presented its services for e-commerce providers.

The 4th and last day which was the last day of the forum started with a round table talk on startup roles and how to begin your start up with key speakers such as Tony Smith CEO and Chairman Limitless electronics, Ghislain Daya CEO miam.cm, Blaise Ghemjok CEO addmeup and many more. This was followed by a presentation of Kiro game video game test trial. After wards was the presentation of 10 innovating projects for a cash award and investment. This was followed by a presentation of Tony Smith on start ups and how to overcome start difficulties siting and the success story of his electronic company. It was followed by a presentation on how to raise funds by Olivier Madiba founder and CEO Kiro games.

Key speakers at this event included the

-MR MBOZO'O VALENTIN the Director General GICAM

-SERGE MBARGA OWONA Chef of products – MTN

-MR TONY SMITH Founder, Chairman & CEO LIMITLES

-MR OUSMANOU KOUOTOUDG Director General DHL Cameroun

-MOUSSA THIEMOKO DAO Director Orange Money

- Olivier Madiba founder and CEO Kiro games.

The 10 innovative projects included

• Mewankofarm website:mewankofsrm.com
• Mobile paye
• Itravels website:itravels.fr
• Covoiturage website:covoiturage.cm
• City net
• Hyboo
• Mypromoplace sorry the list is incomplete.

The winner of the 10 innovative projects was mewankofarm, an agricultural platform to help connect rural farmers enable them easily sell their products and also equip them with farming equipment. It was the only project presented by a female and this goes a long way to encourage women to do tech and IT projects.

Events like this are very vital in enabling that Africa is not left out in the digital age. For this industry in the last 30 years has created more wealth than any other industry. Thus it is time for the African continent. Africa is rising and will shine in the digital age.