(IHS ) - Presided over on the 9^th of February 2024 by Mrs Minette Libom Li Likeng, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, representing the Prime Minister Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, the official ceremony of the presentation/launch of the IHS Towers Cameroon project was held at Yaoundé City Hall.

Several key figures, including ministers, the representative of the governor of the Centre region, representatives of partner ministerial departments, general managers, the representative of the Yaoundé City Mayor, the CEO of IHS Cameroon, Olufemi Arosanyin, and honorable members of parliament took part in the ceremony, which the minister of Posts and Telecommunications described as a "great republican event".

She acknowledged being "filled with a sense of pride, at a time when a significant page in the digital transformation of the Cameroonian society” is being written thanks to this digital kiosk project in the North-West and South-West regions.

This has been made possible thanks to the determination of IHS Cameroon, a company that builds and operates electronic communication infrastructures and media, to contribute to the government's efforts to develop telecommunications in Cameroon.

According to the minister and head of Telecommunications, who encouraged this socially responsible company for having held its place on the national economic scene, particularly in the telecommunications sector, by setting up these digital kiosks, these works have a definite economic weight.

As part of its sustainable development and corporate social responsibility plan, the government warmly congratulates IHS on setting up this important program, aimed at giving students and local communities access to technological tools and digital facilities in the North-west and south-west regions.

"As a key player in the telecommunications sector, IHS is fully committed to supporting Cameroon's development objectives. The Tower kiosk project represents a significant step forward in Cameroon's digital transformation process. By deploying intelligent kiosks across the country, this project will help improve the telecommunications infrastructure and boost connectivity, thereby providing wider access to digital services".

She continued, reassuring IHS of the commitment of her ministerial department in supporting the company in its activities, in line with the missions assigned by the government.

As part of the Tower Kiosk Initiative, the company has committed to building 10 kiosks by 2025, 5 in each of these regions affected by violence and vandalism. This is IHS Cameroon's very first program in the two English-speaking regions since 2019, delayed due to re occurring security unrest.

IHS Cameroon has already built 3 tower kiosks in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon, in Idenau, Santa and Tombel. The Santa kiosk in the North-West was inaugurated on the 13^th of December 2023.

These kiosks, powered by hybrid tower solutions, will provide free internet access to local communities. They will substantially help local businesses and entrepreneurs and provide the digital infrastructure needed to facilitate digital integration in basic global services such as e-commerce, e-business, e-education, e-health and e-governance.

In terms of towers and number of users, IHS is one of the largest independent multinational tower companies in emerging markets. It has nearly 40,000 towers in its 11 markets on 3 continents, including 2,347 in Cameroon, spread across the regions of Adamawa (127); Centre (515); East (109); Far North (190); Littoral (506); North (126); North-West (180); South (111); South-West (225) and West (258).

IHS will benefit from the support of non-governmental organizations, whose initiatives are designed to create new economic opportunities and contribute to lasting stability in the English-speaking communities.

 "Through this initiative and the power of connectivity, we want to help bring new opportunities to communities in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. We hope that the Tower Kiosk initiative will provide the necessary infrastructure for people to access online resources and better engage in public life. With the support of local and international NGOs who will oversee the day-to-day running of each kiosk, our aim is to increase trust and active participation of people in the community" explains Olufemi Arosanyin, CEO of IHS Cameroon.

In these regions, significant progress has been made in restoring public life. The government of Cameroon expressed it utmost satisfaction to see the Tower kiosk initiative get off the ground "at the right time", while it is working hard to restore peace, and is encouraging public and private partners to follow in the footsteps of IHS.