Camtel's general manager, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi, met with MPs in the capital, Yaounde, yesterday.

Faced with a number of issues, including data security and digital infrastructure, the state-run Cameroon Telecoms (Camtel) has turned to parliament to reform outdated legislation and provide a robust legal framework for the country's digital economy.

Judith Yah Sunday Achidi, the telco's general manager, told MPs and other stakeholders in the capital Yaounde yesterday during a special ceremony dubbed Camtel Parliamentarians' Day that digital infrastructure, including telecom networks and critical IT systems, must be regulated to ensure their availability, integrity, and security against cyber threats and malicious attacks.

“Clear and transparent rules also encourage innovation and investment in digital infrastructures. These include regulating anti-competitive business practices, promoting fair competition between market players and ensuring equitable access to digital resources,” she said.

Bara Julien, president of the Parliamentary Network for Information and Communication Technologies, agreed with Achidi, saying: “Our telecoms laws are obsolete as they date back to many years. But the evolution of technology is constant. The telecoms sector needs new laws to accompany new technologies.”

During the meeting, MPs and other tech companies pledged to move quickly to strengthen the digital sector's legal environment.

Furthermore, they recommended the establishment of a digital regulatory monitoring system to address the challenges associated with rapid technological changes and accelerated digital development, particularly data protection, privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, ethics, and social responsibility.