ANTIC Launches Digital Capacity-Building Seminar to Accelerate Digital Transformation in North West Councils
By Wirngo Peter Tardzenyuy
BAMENDA, Cameroon – July 15, 2026
The National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) has launched a three-day capacity-building seminar aimed at strengthening the digital capabilities of municipal councils in the North West Region, as local authorities seek to improve public service delivery through technology.
The seminar, holding from July 15 to 17 at the Admiralty Hotel in Bamenda, has brought together mayors, council technical staff, ICT administrators, ANTIC officials, and the North West Regional Delegate of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL) to explore practical strategies for advancing digital governance at the local level.
Opening the seminar, Prof. Ebot Ebot Enaw, Director General of ANTIC, described digital transformation as an essential pillar of modern local governance, stressing that councils must move beyond basic online presence to providing secure and accessible digital public services.
Speaking under the theme "Local Development in the Era of Digital Transformation," Prof. Ebot said the seminar is designed to equip mayors and ICT administrators with the knowledge and practical skills required to harness digital technologies for improved productivity, transparency, and service delivery.
According to him, successful digital transformation depends on balancing three critical elements—people, processes and technology.
"The focus is often placed on technology at the expense of people and processes. The maturity of these three pillars must progress together. Any imbalance is a sign of a weak digital transformation policy," he said.
He noted that while ICT continues to reshape public administration worldwide, many councils in the North West Region are still at the early stages of digital adoption.
Statistics presented by ANTIC show that only 17 out of the region's 35 municipal councils currently operate official websites, while just 12 councils have Facebook pages, none of which have undergone official verification.
Prof. Ebot warned that unverified social media accounts expose councils to cyber threats, including identity theft and impersonation, and announced ANTIC's readiness to support councils in securing and verifying their digital platforms.
"Our objective is not simply for councils to have websites," he explained. "We want them to evolve into transactional platforms where citizens can pay taxes, request services and complete administrative procedures online without necessarily visiting council offices."
He added that ANTIC has already supported 230 councils across Cameroon, representing about 64 percent of municipalities nationwide, through technical assistance, ICT planning, cybersecurity support and digital project implementation.
The Director General also emphasized that cybersecurity must be integrated into every stage of digital development, noting that increasing digitalization equally brings growing cyber risks which public institutions must be prepared to address.
The seminar is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDEVEL), FEICOM, BUNEC, and the Public Contracts Regulatory Agency (ARMP).
Over the next three days, participants will receive training on developing municipal ICT master plans, building secure information systems, digitizing civil status services, sourcing funding for ICT projects, and managing organizational change during digital transformation.
Speaking on behalf of the councils, Denise Awoh Ndang, President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon (UCCC) for the North West Region and Mayor of Fundong Council, described the seminar as timely and necessary.
He acknowledged that while several councils already operate websites and social media accounts, many lack the technical expertise needed to adequately secure them against cyber attacks.
"We now understand that simply having a website or a Facebook page is not enough. If these platforms are not properly secured, they remain vulnerable to hackers who can manipulate or distort official information," He said.
Mayor Ndang noted that although many councils possess the necessary computer equipment, the greater challenge lies in building qualified human resources capable of managing and protecting digital systems.
For this reason, he said, councils have attended the seminar alongside their ICT technicians, who will benefit directly from the intensive training sessions before transferring the knowledge to their respective municipalities.
The initiative forms part of government's broader vision to accelerate digital transformation within public institutions and strengthen decentralized local governance through the effective use of information and communication technologies.
As discussions continue in Bamenda, participants are expected to leave the seminar with practical skills that will enable councils to strengthen their digital presence, improve online public services, and better safeguard their information systems against emerging cyber threats.
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