A few days ago, the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform (MINFOPRA) Joseph Le launched a national tour to assess the dematerialization and simplification of administrative procedures in the 10 regions.

This tour aims to check the reliability and functionality of the multimedia rooms being installed in the regional capitals in preparation for the new computerized system for the integrated management of state personnel and payroll (Sigipes).

Sigipes is the result of a resolution issued by the cabinet council held on May 28, 2020, to prioritize remote services.  

 "It is now time to effectively dematerialize procedures by uploading the documents requested by users on ministries’ websites and similar platforms," Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said at the time.

One of the Ministries that started implementing the dematerialization process is the Minfopra, which organizes administrative competitions and manages the careers of every civil servant. The new system removes administrative burdens and red tape to streamline the services offered and improve transparency. For instance, for the first time in its history, the Minfopra organized the oral examinations for administrative competitions via videoconference in 2020, thus saving candidates from all regions the long trips to Yaoundé, the capital.

Let’s note that the process aimed at dematerializing and simplifying administrative procedures was called for by President Paul Biya during his December 31, 2018 address to the nation. "it is necessary for us to do more to incorporate digital progress into the functioning of our public services and economy. The developing digital society will not wait for laggards," he said.

The coronavirus pandemic came to accelerate the process, which is one of the measures taken by the government on March 17, 2020, to stop the spread of the virus.

D.M.