Key players in Cameroon’s Internet ecosystem have begun discussions on measures aimed at improving the security, stability and sovereignty of the country's Internet infrastructure.
The discussions are taking place in Yaoundé during the sixth edition of the National Domain Name System (DNS) Forum organised by the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC), 17 -19 June 2026. The forum brings together telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, domain name registrars and hosting service providers under the theme: “DNS Security and Stability: The Foundation of a High-Quality Internet in Cameroon.”
At the centre of the discussions is the need to strengthen the security of Cameroon’s Domain Name System (DNS), a critical component of the Internet that translates domain (website) names into Internet Protocol addresses that computers use to communicate. Weaknesses in this system can expose Internet users to cyberattacks, including attempts to redirect them to fake or malicious websites.
To address these risks, stakeholders are seeking to accelerate the deployment of Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a security protocol designed to verify the authenticity of DNS information and prevent the manipulation of Internet traffic. Cameroon successfully deployed DNSSEC in April 2025, marking a significant step toward securing the country's Internet infrastructure.
Participants at the forum are now aiming to achieve a 100 percent national DNSSEC validation rate by the end of 2026. The objective comes after the sector failed to attain the 98 percent target that had been set during the previous forum held in Douala in 2025. Current figures indicate that the national validation rate remains at 56.6 percent across operators.
Performance levels vary considerably among service providers. MTN has a validation rate of 99.75 percent, followed by CAMTEL with 73.52 pe rent. CREOLINK stands at 25.35 percent, while Orange Cameroon registers 2.75 percent. Other actors in the ecosystem are yet to begin implementation.
Beyond cybersecurity concerns, the forum is also examining challenges affecting access to locally hosted digital content. ANTIC has observed that Internet users do not always enjoy the same level of access to websites and services hosted under the national “.cm” domain, depending on the network provider they use.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, the Director General of ANTIC, Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw, said these disparities undermine user confidence, limit the promotion of local digital content and weaken Cameroon’s digital sovereignty.
The Director General further noted that resolving these challenges requires greater coordination among industry players. He announced plans to establish a formal consultation framework bringing together DNS technical leaders from telecommunications operators under the coordination of ANTIC.
The mechanism will facilitate the rapid resolution of DNS-related anomalies, encourage the sharing of technical best practices and promote cooperation in areas such as infrastructure redundancy and DNS service management. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all Internet users in Cameroon, regardless of their service provider, have reliable and uninterrupted access to local digital content.
The forum is part of ongoing national efforts to reinforce the resilience of Cameroon’s Internet infrastructure, improve cybersecurity and strengthen the country's digital sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected world.
