ITU Development Bureau Director visits TRB to advance digital cooperation in Cameroon

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has hosted a high-level delegation from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the Platinum Building in Cameroon, underscoring ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration in digital development and telecommunications regulation.

The mission was led by Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), accompanied by Emmanuel Manasseh, Regional Director for Africa, alongside ITU officials from Central Africa and Madagascar. The delegation also included Mohamadou Saoudi, Secretary General of MINPOSTEL.

The visit commenced with the performance of Cameroon’s national anthem, followed by a welcome address delivered by Zourmba Aboubakar, Deputy Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board, representing Professor Philémon Zoo Zame. In his remarks, Aboubakar emphasized the strategic importance of the engagement for Cameroon’s telecommunications sector.

Thomas Marcellin Manyanye, Director of Strategy and Foresight at the TRB, subsequently presented the agency’s mandate, organizational structure, and regulatory tools, highlighting its role in promoting digital development and ensuring effective market oversight.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zavazava outlined key challenges and emerging opportunities within the telecommunications landscape. He stressed the urgency of bridging the digital divide and advancing inclusive connectivity, particularly through the adoption of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. According to him, these innovations offer practical pathways to accelerate universal access to digital services and stimulate socio-economic growth.

The meeting featured discussions between the ITU delegation and TRB officials, followed by a group photograph and a reception held on the eighth floor of the Platinum Building.

The visit, scheduled to continue until February 18, 2026, reflects the sustained partnership between the TRB, MINPOSTEL, and the ITU. It further signals a shared commitment to strengthening a telecommunications ecosystem that is inclusive, efficient, and aligned with global regulatory standards.

By hosting the ITU delegation, the TRB reaffirmed its strategic role in Cameroon’s digital transformation agenda while reinforcing the country’s participation in international dialogues on the future of telecommunications.