The Cameroonian government’s CFA 1 billion digitalization project—aimed at building standardized websites for all 360 municipalities—is well-intentioned. However, as highlighted by Business in Cameroon, the initiative managed by FEICOM is already facing pushback.
Many mayors across Cameroon argue that these funds would be better spent on essential services—roads, electricity, water, and transportation infrastructure—especially in areas with limited internet access. This resistance underscores a deeper truth: Cameroon’s digitalization strategy must solve real, everyday problems faced by its people, not just look good on paper.
From Websites to Wheels: A Smarter Digital Investment
Instead of pouring1 billion CFA into municipal websites that few will visit, Cameroon could invest in digital solutions that directly improve mobility and productivity—starting with transport.
Enter Motorboy Cameroon, a proudly Cameroonian digital transport app transforming how people buy bus tickets online. With the slogan “Stop wasting time. Start traveling smart,” Motorboy Cameroon allows travelers to book bus tickets from their smartphones, eliminating long queues and uncertainty at agencies.
Unlike many tech startups that disrupt industries, Motorboy enhances what already works. The app has partnered with trusted national carriers such as Vatican Express, Amour Mezam, Moghamo Express, Oasis Travel, and Musango—letting users keep their preferred bus companies while enjoying a faster, more convenient booking experience.
Why the Government Should Back Motorboy’s Digital Transport Revolution
A platform like Motorboy represents exactly the kind of homegrown innovation that can accelerate Cameroon’s economic digitalization. Instead of top-down website projects, the government could achieve far greater impact by supporting scalable, market-led initiatives. Here’s how:
1. Build a Supportive Regulatory Framework
Establish clear digital ticketing regulations that protect consumers, ensure data privacy, and standardize online payment systems. This would strengthen public trust and encourage more transport companies to adopt e-ticketing.
2. Provide Financial Incentives and Grants
Rather than developing government-run apps, FEICOM could allocate part of the CFA 1 billion to support startups like Motorboy Cameroon—helping them expand nationwide and integrate smaller regional transport operators.
3. Use Data for Smarter Infrastructure Planning
A nationwide e-ticketing platform would generate valuable data on travel patterns—revealing top routes, high-demand periods, and underserved areas. This data can inform better transport policies, road planning, and regional development.
4. Promote Transparency and Safety
Digital ticketing can reduce informal cash handling and promote transparency in the transport sector. The government could also tie digital support to improved safety and service standards across all participating bus companies.
From Yaoundé to Bamenda: Real Impact for Real People
The pushback against municipal websites doesn’t mean Cameroonians reject technology—it means they crave useful digital solutions that simplify daily life. Being able to book a bus ticket online in Douala or Yaoundé has far more tangible impact than accessing a static website.
Motorboy proves that Cameroon’s digital transformation doesn’t have to start in offices—it can start on the road. By empowering local innovators and solving real mobility problems, the government can turn its CFA 1 billion into a catalyst for nationwide digital progress.
The Road to a Truly Digital Cameroon
Cameroon stands at a crossroads: continue funding symbolic digital projects, or drive a people-centered revolution that makes everyday life easier, faster, and smarter.
The future of digital Cameroon should be powered by apps like Motorboy—solutions built by Cameroonians, for Cameroonians.
Because the journey to a smarter nation doesn’t begin with a website—it begins with booking a bus ticket to the future.
Author
