From May 13 to May 16, 2025, was organized the 9^th edition of OSIANE, the International Technology and Innovation Fair of Central Africa. Baptized ”BONGWANA”, (Transforming our challenges into opportunities), the event saw the participation of startups, sponsors, visitors and officials coming from different countries including Congo, DR Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic and Ivory Coast.

NAMAKIT was invited to take part in the Congo Basin Startups Challenge.  It was an extraordinary experience. The travel from Yaoundé to Brazaville was particularly trying- Three other startups based in Cameroon including Studirium and Ecolab High Tech were part of the long journey. Almost 1600 kilometers covered in two days on a tarred road inaugurated in December 2021.  If we had not faced the multiple barriers and harassment of immigration control, especially on both sides of the frontier, in the village Ntam, we would have spent less than 24 hours on the road. In Ntam Cameroon, the delegation was retained at the police station for almost half an hour. We presented our green passports, our vaccination carnets as well as our invitation letters. They started investigating on our survival means once in Congo. Also, did we have an official authorization from Cameroon? We reminded them of the principle of free circulation of people, Goods and Capital to which Cameroon adhere by signing the CEMAC treaty. One policeman affirmed that it was only something decided by the officials but there were restrictions on the ground. If we were not patient and stubborn, we would have bribed to have stamps in our passports. On the premises, we heard reports of Cameroonians, Congolese and other nationalities having to pay 5000, 10 000 or more to obtain the precious authorization to traverse the border.

Just two or three minutes on the Bus and we reach the Congolese side. The flag changes, but we encounter the same difficulties and are confronted with the same corrupt mentalities. The few buildings housing immigration staff, including the police, are painted blue and white. Both the uniforms and the signs indicate the same color, as if the staff were trained to serve citizens of the European Union or France, instead of serving African Union citizens flying a green flag. Eventually, the immigration staff became harsher with the Cameroonians. Some members of the delegation gave in to chantage and paid 10 000 here, 2000 there. A policeman to whom I was teaching the word of regional integration and free movement asked me, “Look at the posters on the wall of this office, where is the one that says you don’t have to pay for ‘registration’?”

We took another bus to the Congolese capital. As we were leaving Ntam, the steward announced that there would be two police checkpoints before reaching the capital. Passengers with proper documentation had to prepare 2000 for each checkpoint while those in difficulty would pay more.

All these disagreements created confusion and frustration. Once in Brazaville, the startupers met with the Cameroonian ambassador to complain. The diplomat reiterated that the rules of free movement must be respected on both sides. This position strengthened our convictions, and upon our return, none of us spent a coin, despite the harassment. Other passengers, aware of the issue, resisted. But it wasn’t easy, as passports were collected and handed over to the controller, and people were summoned to the office one after the other.

This experience highlights the urgency of enforcing rules in Africa. Whether in Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, or elsewhere in Central Africa, an amount of 2 000 is often demanded by control agents for what they call “registration.”

Despite this ordeal, we did enjoy our stay in Congo. The Congolese are warm and welcoming. From Mayanga to the administrative district, passing through Poto_Poto, the streets are full of people in activity. Rumba is played in almost every bus and other green taxi. We all appreciated the virgin forest surrounding the Palais des Congrès and traversed by AVENUE DES ARMÉES, where parades are organized. It’s proof that the government is aware of the stakes of sustainable development and the urgency of preserving the environment. Should we recall that the forests of the Congo Basin are today the planet’s primary ecological lung? Brazaville is also bordered by the Congo River. While traveling along the river, you can admire the Twin Towers and many other buildings overlooking Kinshasa, the capital of the DR Congo. It is regrettable that there is no bridge between the two neighboring capitals to facilitate the free movement of people and goods. Furthermore, traveling from one bank to the other requires a visa.

This means that Central African Citizens face many challenges. Therefore, to accelerate regional integration, unity and prosperity in Africa, we formulate the following proposals:

• The free movement agreement must not remain a political or diplomatic matter. Immigration officials in the countries concerned must be trained and sensitized. Sanctions must be applied against those who profit from the misery of Africans. Governments and civil society must also continuously raise awareness and educate the population, particularly economic operators and travelers. In reality, both the corrupter and the corrupt official are guilty.
• We call for the rationalization of CEMAC and ECCAS. We need a single, powerful regional organization that defends the interests of the community’s citizens. All barriers to free movement must be removed to expand intra-African trade. True free movement implies that we only use our ID cards to travel from one country to another.
• How can we accelerate the implementation of the ACT (African Single Market) if we do not abolish visas for African passport holders? So far, only five African countries are ahead of this vision: Benin, Gambia, Seychelles, Rwanda and Ghana. We also call for the creation of a single African currency.

In conclusion, the BONGWANA edition was a real challenge, but it allowed participants to assess their strengths and limitations. Africans innovate every day in all areas, including agribusiness, technology, energy and health. However, if we want these products and services to be consumed by citizens and thus improve their standard of living, we must accelerate regional integration, eradicate corruption and promote African unity. Thank God, this transformation is underway.

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