Tech Summit · March 29, 2026 · Cathedral Hall, Bamenda

Speakers &
Distinguished Guests.

Six senior institutional figures. One stage. A public discussion on building the digital economy of the Northwest Region, before an audience of 750+ at Cathedral Hall, Bamenda.

750+ in the audience
6 panelists + moderator
3 government ministries
30-minute live discussion
About the Summit

The most significant technology
panel the Northwest Region had seen.

The DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Tech Summit, held from 12:35 PM on March 29, 2026 at Cathedral Hall, Bamenda, was the most institutionally significant segment of the entire event. The 30-minute panel brought together six figures representing the senior leadership of government, finance, and the digital economy in the Northwest Region, convened in an open, structured discussion on the current state and future prospects of the region's digital economy.

With an audience exceeding 750 registered attendees, many of them young people hearing senior government officials address technology, investment, and youth entrepreneurship in this setting for the first time, the panel carried both practical and symbolic weight. The discussion was, to the knowledge of the organising team, without precedent in the Northwest Region for its composition and the directness of its conversation.

"Building a Digital Economy in the Northwest Region"
Official theme of the DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Tech Summit
Panel Moderator

The voice that held it together.

A skilled moderator is what separates a panel discussion from a conversation. Mr. Reinhard Nebassi structured the 30-minute discussion across four substantive themes, ensuring every panelist contributed and every question was answered.

Mr. Reinhard Nebassi, DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Tech Summit Moderator
Panel Moderator

Mr. Reinhard Nebassi

Moderator, DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Tech Summit
Cathedral Hall, Bamenda · March 29, 2026

Mr. Reinhard Nebassi moderated the DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Tech Summit panel discussion, "Building a Digital Economy in the Northwest Region", guiding six senior panelists through a structured 30-minute conversation before an audience exceeding 750 inside Cathedral Hall.

The discussion was structured around four substantive themes: the diagnosis of barriers facing digital entrepreneurs in the region; the specific roles and obligations of government, financial institutions, and the private sector; DIRA Tech Fest itself as a case study in youth-led ecosystem building; and concrete commitments from each panelist to take specific actions in support of the region's digital economy.

Tech Summit Panelists

Five voices.
Government, finance & the digital economy.

Each panelist represented a distinct sector of the Northwest Region's institutional landscape. Together they comprised the most senior gathering of regional leadership assembled at a youth technology event in the region's history.

Dr. Bame Irene, MINRESI Representative at DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Government · MINRESI

Dr. Bame Irene

Representative, Regional Delegation
Ministry of Scientific Research & Innovation (MINRESI)
Cameroon
Area of Contribution

Represented the role of scientific research institutions and universities in producing digital talent and fostering innovation in partnership with the private sector. One of two prominent female institutional voices at the summit.

Mr. Ngangjo Cliff, MINPMESSA Representative at DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Government · MINPMESSA

Mr. Ngangjo Cliff

Delegate Representative
Ministry of Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises,
Social Economy & Handicrafts (MINPMESSA)
Cameroon
Area of Contribution

Represented small enterprise policy and the social economy. The MINPMESSA delegation publicly committed on stage to supporting and promoting all 45 businesses present at the event's exhibition, a notable institutional pledge made before the full audience.

Mme Ndimbe Claris Muluh, NFC Bank Regional Manager at DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Finance · NFC Bank

Mme Ndimbe Claris Muluh

Regional Manager, Northwest Region
NFC Bank, Cameroon
Area of Contribution

Addressed the specific obligations of financial institutions in supporting early-stage startups, bringing NFC Bank's regional leadership into direct engagement with young founders and government policy makers. One of the most prominent institutional voices of the summit.

Camilus Doblin, Digital Entrepreneur, FN FOREX Academy at DIRA Tech Fest 2026 Digital Economy

Camilus Doblin

Digital Entrepreneur & FOREX Trader
FN FOREX Academy, Cameroon
Area of Contribution

Represented the private sector and digital economy, speaking directly to the practical realities of building a digital business in the Northwest Region, the barriers that exist, and the role of financial technology in creating economic opportunity for young people.

What Was Discussed

Six themes.
Thirty minutes. One room.

The Tech Summit discussion was structured around six substantive themes, each addressing a real, documented barrier or opportunity in the Northwest Region's digital economy.

1

Barriers Facing Digital Entrepreneurs

The structural barriers, access to capital, infrastructure gaps, and policy limitations, that prevent digital and technology entrepreneurs from scaling in the Northwest Region.

2

The Role of Financial Institutions

The specific obligations of financial institutions, including NFC Bank, in supporting early-stage startups through accessible credit, financial literacy, and risk-tolerant lending models.

3

Government Policy & the Digital Economy

Government policy mechanisms at the regional and national level, through MINRESI, MINPMESSA, and MINPROMALO, that could accelerate the growth of the digital economy.

4

Universities & Private Sector Partnership

The role of research institutions and universities in producing talent and fostering innovation in partnership with private enterprises, and how that partnership is currently failing young graduates.

5

DIRA Tech Fest as an Ecosystem Model

DIRA Tech Fest 2026 itself was discussed as a case study in youth-led ecosystem building, examining what conditions are required to sustain and scale it beyond the first edition.

6

Concrete Commitments from Each Panelist

Each panelist was asked to commit, publicly and on record, to a specific action in support of the Northwest Region's digital economy following the event. All six panelists responded.

Photography

On stage at Cathedral Hall.

Moments from the Tech Summit panel discussion, March 29, 2026.

Panelists after the talk
More Photos in the Gallery
Days 1 & 2 · LTC Hall

Specialist Trainers
& Mentors.

Nine specialist trainers delivered the Day 1 and Day 2 digital skills programme at LTC Hall, Bamenda. Each trainer was responsible for one functional area of a technology company, from front-end development to public speaking and pitching. All nine donated their expertise to the programme at no charge.

On Day 2, trainers transitioned from instructors to floating mentors, circulating between the ten cross-functional product development teams to unblock technical challenges, provide creative direction, and raise the quality of every product submission ahead of the 2:00 PM deadline.

Track Specialisation Trainer
01 Front-End Web Development Tita Tera Tekwe
02 Back-End Development Foncho Afanwi
03 Graphic Design & UI/UX Nyuykongo Leonel
04 Business Intelligence Kevin Gervis
05 Digital Marketing & Social Media Strategy Brian Jones
06 Artificial Intelligence & Cloud Computing Gad Fomunyuy
07 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Nde Sylvarius Ngang
08 Strategic Branding & Communication Sir Hencho Dew
09 Public Speaking, Pitching & Storytelling Ndam Albright
Continue Exploring

Read the full story.

The Tech Summit was one part of a three-day festival that trained 108 people, produced 10 startup products, and drew 1,000+ to Cathedral Hall.

Read the Summit Recap Pitch Competition Results View Gallery