Cameroon Holds Inaugural MINRESI AI Week to Build National AI Capacity

Cameroon's Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI) held its first-ever MINRESI AI Week from June 8 to 12, 2026, bringing together researchers, students, entrepreneurs and government officials to advance national AI research and skills capacity.

The week-long programme included technical workshops, research presentations and panel discussions aimed at strengthening Cameroon's AI research ecosystem and identifying priority sectors for applied AI adoption, including agriculture, health and public administration. Organisers positioned the event as a foundation for an annual programme rather than a one-off conference.

### Skills capacity as a national priority

The inaugural AI Week reflects a wider recognition among Central African governments that technical skills development is a prerequisite for translating AI ambitions into functioning national ecosystems. MINRESI officials used the event to outline plans for expanded university AI curricula and research funding mechanisms in the coming years.

The event preceded Cybastion's later 2026 announcement of a $75 million AI-powered data centre for Douala, together forming part of a broader build-out of Cameroon's AI research and infrastructure base through the year.