IHS Cameroon has launched the ‘Tower Kiosk by IHS Cameroon’ initiative to provide connectivity and digital services to rural communities in Cameroon’s northwest and southwest regions.
The kiosks opened in three communities — Idenau, Santa, and Tombel — and will provide free Internet access while supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.
It would also serve as a digital infrastructure for eCommerce, e-education, e-health, and e-governance operations. The kiosks will collect health-related data from the community.
Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, was present at the unveiling, as were dignitaries from the two regions where it was launched.
Furthermore, by 2025, IHS hopes to have ten kiosks in total, five in each of the two regions. The 20-foot kiosks powered by nearby towers include computers, printers, and charging ports.
The telecom infrastructure provider collaborates with local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to advance the tower kiosk initiative and manages the kiosk’s daily operations.
IHS Cameroon CEO Olufemi Arosanyin stated that this would help increase community participation because it intends to reach out to at least 5,000 community members.
Arosanyin also stated that the tower kiosk initiative will improve people’s access to online resources and engagement with public life.
The Prime Minister affirmed, “Significant progress has been made in these regions to restore public life, and we are excited to see the “Tower Kiosk by IHS Cameroon” initiative begin. This initiative comes at the right time, as we continue to work to resolve this conflict and return to peace.”
This news comes after the telecom infrastructure provider announced plans to open ICT centres at the Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Sodiko in Bonaberi, Douala, in October 2023. GBHS Sodiko is a school for internally displaced people from the Northwest and Southwest conflict zones in Cameroon, with over 2,000 students.
READ ALSO: NIGERIA: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA BANS CASH PAYMENTS FOR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
The plan was to enhance educational accessibility via mobile connectivity and digital literacy. As a component of this initiative, IHS Cameroon constructed a new facility outfitted with 30 computers, video conferencing capabilities, and internet connectivity.
The IHS Towers Group manages and provides shared communication infrastructure services. According to IHS, it spans three regions, operates in 11 countries, and oversees a portfolio exceeding 30,000 towers.
