MTN-Microsoft Cloud conference, through my eyes.

MTN Cameroon and Microsoft West and Central Africa, led by the dynamism of two of their respective Senior Managers [Bertrand Nkoa (MTN) and Serges Ntamack (Microsoft)] collaborated to organize a 2-days conference on Thursday and Friday Nov. 13 and 14 2014, on the Cloud and its ecosystem in the public and private sectors of #Africa.

As a youth advisor on the Microsoft #4Afrika Advisory Board, I was called in the 4th Panel to discuss "Investors  and #Startups - Challenges and Opportunities in the digital age."I shared the stage with a young business owner, a venture capitalist and an elder in the ICT field.

My main point was that, unlike what was stated in a previous panel, I believe Cameroonian youths have competences - they may not be refined or packaged as expected,  but the skills are there. In the past 6 years, I have worked with enough youths to assert that there are many Cameroronians who can compete on national and international spheres. My point however is that - Cameroonian youths need to learn how to package themselves (skills,  talents and know-how) efficiently. They have to learn how to speak the 'global language' on the global market. Learn various etiquettes, understand what people look for, put their best foot forward and be competitive. The talent exists. It is raw. We just need to learn to see the best through and within people and help them express and showcase what is hidden inside of them.  

I truly believe that if many young Cameroonians are taught and coached on ways to express themselves,  present a case, and package themselves,  they will break all kinds of ceilings and gain the confidence they need to cement their mark on the world, in  their respective fields of expertise. Yet, for that to happen,  they need to be encouraged, motivated,  coached and mentored to believe in  themselves and learn how to navigate through this global village.

On this very panel, I was privileged to view first hand (and later on test) the innovative product of my fellow Fritz Ekwoge - Cameroonian inventor of "Feem" (check out the application available in your various app stores, and website : tryfeem.com  .) 

Feem is an application that sends  files instantly from one device to another without passing through the Internet. It's Brilliant! !! Fritz is the example of how a Cameroronian can innovate and propose a product that is competitive on the global market. My profound dreams and goals are  to inspire and engage more Cameroonian youths to believe they can make their name in the world,  like Fritz Ekwoge,  Arthur Zang, Olivier Madiba, Ismael Nzouetom, Cedric Atangana, Alain Nteff (just to name a few) - all young Cameroonian tech-preneurs  betweeen 22 and 32 years old, with services and products that have been recognized and are competing internationally. I work to have our youths dig and discover their true potential, so that they can be confident, prepared and equipped to make their positive mark on our generation, in their various ways.

Further on during the panel discussion, we  had Emerging Capital Partner (ECP) Vice president Aurore Bahounoui  provide information about the various funds available for companies/projects in need  of venture capital, from 1million dollars and above. And CEO of Stockaj.com (Yves Ngatchou) provided seasoned advice on doing business in the challenging business climate of Cameroon, "It's possible, just persevere and do it! "

It was a great opportunity to connect with many movers and shakers,  with shapers of policies , and with economic tycoons on how we can use the cloud,  and shape the environment to promote #innovation and the growth of startups in #Cameroon.

#Team237  Follow the conversation on twitter : #MTNMSFTCLOUD

.