AGP Executive Report

Malaria Tech: Cameroon-born student Ulrich Mefenya Tanetsing has developed an AI-powered prototype that identifies malaria-carrying mosquitoes by their wingbeat and uses sound to disrupt their navigation. Power Supply: Cameroon’s state electricity utility has opened six tenders worth CFA44.54 billion, including CFA9.36 billion for 10 megawatts of backup thermal capacity in the north. Digital Skills: Ecobank Cameroon will train at least 625 secondary students in AI, cybersecurity, digital finance and responsible technology use across five cities. Forest Science: A global assessment says deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but forest loss is worsening in Central Africa, including the Congo Basin. Connected Schools: Camtel and the secondary education ministry have agreed to expand digital connectivity and resource-sharing across schools.

Clean Mobility: Spiro’s African battery-swapping network, which includes Cameroon, is set to gain new solar-powered charging infrastructure: China’s Jinguan Electric says its unit has secured a contract worth up to US$296 million for 50 integrated solar, storage and charging stations across several African countries. Digital Education: Camtel and the secondary education ministry have agreed to connect schools and help teachers and administrators share information and learning resources. Affordable Construction: Cameroon is targeting 20,000 homes built with local, low-carbon materials, using prefabrication and industrial methods to cut costs. The plan brings universities and research centres into a public-private partnership, though funding and timelines remain unclear. Health Research: A new computational study is screening compounds from Central African medicinal plants for potential against river blindness, a disease that remains a challenge in parts of Cameroon despite years of treatment.

Affordable Construction: Cameroon plans 20,000 homes using local, low-carbon materials such as wood and stabilized earth, with universities and research centres involved. Funding and a construction timeline remain unclear. Digital Education: Camtel and the secondary education ministry have agreed to connect schools so teachers and administrators can share information and learning resources. Electric Mobility: Spiro, which operates in Cameroon, is part of a deal to build up to 50 solar-powered charging and battery-storage stations across Africa, backed by a contract worth as much as $296 million. Malaria Research: A study led by University of Douala researcher Sandrine Nsango found that people with sickle cell trait were almost exclusively infected by distinct malaria parasite variants, offering clues to the trait’s protection against illness. River Blindness: Researchers are exploring compounds from Central African medicinal plants as potential drug candidates, as transmission persists in parts of Cameroon despite years of ivermectin treatment.

Digital Education: Camtel and the secondary education ministry signed an agreement to connect schools, helping teachers and administrators share information and learning resources. Electric Mobility: Spiro, which operates in Cameroon and other African countries, showcased its battery-swapping motorcycles and plans to expand in Nigeria. A separate contract worth up to $296 million covers 50 solar-powered storage and charging stations in several African countries. Malaria Research: A study led by researchers at the University of Douala and Centre Pasteur du Cameroun found that people with sickle cell trait were infected almost exclusively by a distinct group of malaria parasites, offering a possible clue to their protection. TB Diagnostics: A seven-country study, including Cameroon, found that pooling samples can make rapid molecular TB testing more affordable using existing lab equipment; the findings helped inform WHO guidance.

Clean Energy: China’s Jinguan Electric says it has secured a contract worth up to US$296 million to build 50 solar, storage and charging stations across Africa. Spiro Mobility, which operates in Cameroon and six other African countries, is its partner; construction will proceed in stages. Digital Campus: Ecobank and the University of Ngaoundere have formalised a partnership that includes digitalising campus transactions and offering financial-literacy and innovation programmes. Health Research: A study led by researchers in Cameroon found that people with sickle cell trait were infected by a distinct group of malaria parasites, offering clues to the trait’s protective effect. Separately, research across seven countries, including Cameroon, supports pooled rapid TB testing to stretch existing laboratory resources. Digital Finance: Cameroon is preparing its first digital finance fair in Yaounde for November 26–28, aiming to promote fintech innovation, skills and wider access to electronic financial services.

Campus Digitalisation: Ecobank’s new agreement with the University of Ngaoundéré will digitise financial transactions and offer tailored services, financial literacy and skills programmes to students and staff. Digital Health: Douala-based S.T. Digital has partnered with US firm Global Care International to bring digital health technology and infrastructure to African health services. Malaria Research: A study involving researchers from the University of Douala and Centre Pasteur du Cameroun found that people with sickle cell trait were mostly infected by distinct malaria parasite types, offering a possible clue to the trait’s protection. TB Testing: An international study including patients in Cameroon found pooled testing can stretch existing lab equipment and budgets to reach more people with rapid TB diagnoses; the findings informed WHO guidance. Agricultural Innovation: IRAD has selected a Bangangté project to turn biodegradable waste into compost, targeting 15,000 tonnes of waste processed and 5,000 tonnes of fertiliser produced annually.

Digital Health: Global Care International and Douala-based S.T. Digital have formed an alliance to provide digital health tools and infrastructure in Africa, including a system for managing national health data. Malaria Research: A study involving Cameroonian researchers found that people with sickle cell trait were mostly infected by a distinct group of malaria parasites, offering clues to the trait’s protective effect. Affordable Diagnostics: A study across seven countries, including Cameroon, found that pooling samples can expand access to rapid, low-cost tuberculosis tests using existing lab equipment. Digital Finance: Cameroon’s first digital finance fair is planned for Yaoundé on November 26–28, with a focus on fintech innovation, skills and broader access to electronic services. Digital Education: CAMTEL and the secondary education ministry have signed a deal to expand digital education across northern Cameroon. Agricultural Science: IRAD has launched soil testing to help farmers choose suitable crops and improve yields.

Digital Health: Douala-based S.T. Digital has partnered with U.S. firm Global Care International to provide digital health technology and infrastructure in Africa. Meteorology: Cameroon’s newly appointed weather-service chief, Gervais Didier Yontchang, died while attending a satellite and climate-forecasting forum in Eswatini. Malaria Research: A study involving University of Douala and Centre Pasteur du Cameroun researchers found that people with sickle-cell trait were infected by distinct malaria parasite variants, offering clues to their lower risk of illness. Digital Learning: Live online secondary-school lessons have reached 28,470 learners, including students in conflict-affected regions. Health Technology: A multi-country study that included Cameroon found pooled testing can help labs diagnose tuberculosis rapidly and at lower cost using existing equipment. Digital Finance: Cameroon’s first digital finance fair is planned for Yaounde in November, with a focus on fintech innovation, skills and wider access to electronic services.

Malaria Research: A study involving researchers from the University of Douala and Centre Pasteur du Cameroun found that people with sickle-cell trait were almost exclusively infected by a distinct group of malaria parasites, offering a possible clue to their lower risk of illness. Digital Finance: Cameroon has launched plans for a November forum expected to draw 20,000 visitors and promote fintech, digital skills and wider access to financial services. Health Technology: A seven-country study, including Cameroon, found pooled molecular testing can make rapid TB diagnosis more affordable using existing lab equipment; the findings helped shape WHO guidance. Digital Education: Live online secondary-school lessons have reached 28,470 learners, especially in regions where insecurity disrupts classroom access. Local Innovation: IRAD is testing a Bangangté project to turn biodegradable waste into compost, targeting 5,000 tonnes of fertiliser a year. Cameroon’s higher-education minister also called for traditional medicines to meet scientific standards, including verified ingredients, dosages and safety.

Digital Finance: Cameroon has launched preparations for its first digital finance fair, set for Yaoundé on November 26–28, to promote fintech innovation, skills and wider access to digital services. Sustainable Forestry: Taylor Guitars and Cameroon’s Crelicam are forming a working group to develop ebony-harvesting permits for designated forest areas, with the aim of supporting sustainable management and local processing. Agri-Tech: IRAD selected a Bangangté project to turn biodegradable waste into compost, targeting 15,000 tonnes of waste processed and 5,000 tonnes of fertiliser produced each year. Digital Education: Online secondary lessons have reached 28,470 learners, with the largest numbers in the North-West; a separate CAMTEL–MINESEC deal aims to extend digital education in northern Cameroon. Malaria Research: A study involving University of Douala and Bertoua researcher Sandrine Nsango found that people with sickle-cell trait are almost exclusively infected by a distinct variety of malaria parasite, offering insight into how the trait may protect against disease. Digital Identity: Cameroon estimates that fully digitising civil registration by 2029–30 will cost more than CFA50 billion, with funding a major obstacle.

Circular Agriculture: IRAD has selected a Bangangté project to turn biodegradable waste into compost, targeting 15,000 tonnes of waste and 5,000 tonnes of fertiliser a year. Local Tech Startup: Cameroon is the first African market for SplashArk, an app that lets small businesses sell, take bookings and receive mobile-money payments, with funds held until delivery. Digital Identity: Cameroon’s civil-registration agency says full system digitisation by 2029–30 will require more than CFA50 billion, with financing among its biggest hurdles. Digital Education: The education ministry’s online lessons have reached 28,470 learners, including students in conflict-affected regions; CAMTEL and MINESEC have also agreed to expand digital education in northern Cameroon. Malaria Research: A study involving University of Douala and Centre Pasteur du Cameroun researcher Sandrine Nsango found people with sickle-cell trait were almost exclusively infected by a distinct group of malaria parasites, offering clues to the trait’s protection. Traditional Medicine: Cameroon’s higher education minister urged researchers to test active ingredients, establish dosages and assess side effects as part of efforts to bring scientific standards to traditional pharmacopoeia.

Digital Commerce: Cameroonian-born entrepreneur Marvin Mvondo has launched SplashArk in Cameroon, an app for sellers and service providers to take bookings and payments by mobile money or card, with funds held until delivery. Connected Classrooms: CAMTEL and the secondary education ministry will connect 130 schools in Adamawa, North and Far North, providing internet, secure data storage and technical support. Learning Online: The ministry’s live lessons have reached 28,470 students, helping maintain schooling where insecurity disrupts access to classrooms. Smart Agriculture: Cameroon is collecting and analyzing 60,300 georeferenced soil samples to build a digital fertility map that can guide crop and fertilizer choices. Malaria Research: A study involving researchers from the University of Douala, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun and University of Bertoua found that people with the sickle-cell trait are predominantly infected by a distinct variety of malaria parasites, offering a possible clue to the trait’s protective effect.

Digital Education: CAMTEL and MINESEC will connect 130 schools in Adamawa, North and Far North regions, providing internet, secure data storage, technical support and other digital services. Cameroonian Startup: Cameroonian-born entrepreneur Marvin Mvondo has launched SplashArk, an app that lets small sellers and creators offer products, take bookings, livestream and get paid in one place. Precision Agriculture: Cameroon plans to collect and analyze 60,300 georeferenced soil samples, feeding an interactive fertility map to guide crop choices and fertilizer use. Skills and Training: A renewed government partnership will bring distance learning, technical simulators and standardized certification to automotive trades.

Cameroonian Start-ups: Cameroonian-born tech entrepreneur Marvin Mvondo has launched SplashArk, an app that lets informal sellers and creators sell products, take bookings, livestream and receive payments. Cameroon-based lensX has also launched an online marketplace for customers and vendors, with AI-powered product discovery and augmented-reality shopping planned. Skills and Training: Cameroon is expanding automotive training through work-study programs, distance learning and technical simulators, alongside nationally harmonized qualifications and skills certification. Clean Energy: Solar energy expert Aliou Mustafa is training Indigenous communities in renewable energy, with a focus on building local engineering skills and supporting climate and biodiversity efforts. Tech Events: The Cameroon International Tech Summit is scheduled to begin October 15.

Border Tech & Trade: Nigeria’s Customs Service reaffirms plans for coordinated one-stop border posts with non-intrusive inspection tech, starting with Mfum (Cameroon) and Seme-Krake (Nigeria-Benin), aiming to formalize trade and curb illicit flows. Health Systems: UNODC reports rising seizures of medical products in Cameroon and neighbors (251 tonnes from 2020-2025), highlighting how illicit medicine supply chains exploit road, air, river and sea routes. Public Health & Data: Makerere’s AirQo named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for low-cost air monitoring using open data and AI—an approach Cameroon and the region can learn from as air-quality funding stays too low. Conflict & Accountability: Rights groups mark 10 years of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis with a partial list of ~4,000 reported deaths (2016-2026), pushing names and identities into the spotlight. Cameroon Innovation: Cameroonian startup lensX launches an Alibaba-style marketplace for African businesses, with AR shopping on the roadmap. Skills for Industry: Cameroon expands automotive training and certification via CRAMA and MINEFOP, adding work-study, distance learning and teaching simulators. Health Equity: Yaoundé’s blood supply crisis is spotlighted as hospitals face chronic shortages, risking preventable deaths.

Cameroon Tech & Startups: Cameroonian startup lensX launches an Alibaba-style marketplace for African businesses, with a longer-term roadmap for AI product discovery and AR shopping. Digital Payments & Inclusion: Cameroonian-born US cloud engineer Marvin Mvondo rolls out SplashArk, a free app helping informal sellers and creators sell, book, go live and get paid in one place. Health & Tech in Practice: A Yaoundé-focused report highlights chronic blood supply shortages and the human cost when hospitals can’t secure timely donations. Public Health Systems: Another piece calls out the immunisation “vicious cycle,” pointing to cold-chain and access barriers that keep vaccines out of reach. Energy & Industry: Cameroon expands automotive training and certification via a renewed MINEFOP–CRAMA partnership, adding work-study, distance learning and modern simulators. Security & Trade Tech: Cameroon-Nigeria border trade rebounds as improved corridor security brings back customs revenue and steadier logistics. Energy Markets: Wood Mackenzie says floating LNG is set to drive supply diversification, while cocoa markets stay volatile as climate risks reshape long-term yields. Governance & Rights: Rights groups mark 10 years of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis with a partial list of about 4,000 reported deaths.