By Tata Mbunwe
Tech enthusiasts, engineers, and startups from across Cameroon are flocking to the South West Regional capital, Buea, for the fifth annual Silicon Mountain Conference, a flagship event in the country’s tech calendar.
The conference, unfolding at the Buea Cultural Centre, spans from November 14 to 18, under the theme, “Connect, Collaborate, Thrive.”
A notable feature of the week-long event is the unveiling of an “Innovation Showcase Village” scheduled for tomorrow.
This showcase will spotlight homegrown tech solutions addressing everyday challenges, crafted by innovative minds within the Cameroonian tech community.
Silicon Mountain, a thriving technology ecosystem based in Buea and Limbe, is the backdrop for this conference.
The community boasts a cadre of young, skilled tech innovators who have already earned recognition on the global technology stage.
Tech Competitions With Lucrative Prizes
Millions of francs CFA will be doled out to victors of five tech competitions that will animate the event.
“This year there are huge prizes to be won,” said Bokate Ashu Arrey, Chairman of the conference’s organising committee, during a press conference.
“We have five contests. Each of these contests has a first prize of 1 million francs CFA, a second prize of 600,000 and a third prize of 400,000. So this is amazing.
“And this is thanks to the amazing support of our sponsors Orange Cameroun and United Nations Development Program,” Bokate added.
The contests include the Hack My City Challenge; Code Battle; Pitch Contest; and a Content Creation Contest.
The standout among these is the “Hack My City Challenge,” where participants are tasked with designing a tech solution to a predefined problem within a 24-hour timeframe.
The challenge has attracted 36 participants from different higher institutions across the country, Bokate said.
Diverse Activities Throughout The Week
Starting from Wednesday, November 15, the conference will feature an array of activities, including a startup investment and fundraising master class, a coding battle, a hackathon, a mental health fireside chat, educational talks, and panel discussions.
The Silicon Mountain Conference 2023 will culminate on Saturday with the “Silicon Mountain Summit.”
This closing event will feature guest speakers and the much-anticipated award ceremony for winners across various competitions.
For five years, the Silicon Mountain Conference has provided a platform for tech enthusiasts in Cameroon to network, showcase their products, and foster collaboration.
The tech community’s contributions have resulted in numerous innovations now in use throughout Cameroon.
As the conference unfolds, it not only celebrates past achievements but also sets the stage for the next wave of technological breakthroughs emerging from the vibrant community.
Mimi Mefo Info
