First Bloggers Summit In Cameroon Sets Out To Make Blogging A Reputable And Profitable Profession

The first edition of the Cameroonian 237 Bloggers Summit brought bloggers together in Douala for three days of discussions about the future of blogging in Cameroon. The summit took place from October 25 to October 27, 2019, at the ActivSpaces building in Akwa, Douala, with activities running throughout each day. The official hashtag for the event was #237BloggersSummit.

Held under the theme “Blogging as a Tool for Development,” the summit was organized by l’Association des Blogueurs du Cameroun (ABC), or the Association of Bloggers of Cameroon. The event explored the growing role of blogging in Cameroon and how bloggers could use their platforms to contribute to the country’s development.

The initiative was hosted by Rene Jackson Nkowa. Although it began as a Francophone initiative, Anglophone bloggers were also invited to participate, creating an opportunity for both blogging communities to connect and discuss how blogging could become more widely recognized as a legitimate profession in Cameroon rather than simply a hobby.

The HotJem was present throughout all three days and was represented by Biradzem Benoit Yuven, lead content writer for TheHotJem.com, who attended the sessions and discussions. Five Anglophone bloggers attended the summit, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the initiative and explore how they could become part of it moving forward.

One of the main objectives of the summit was to bring Cameroon’s Anglophone and Francophone blogging communities closer together while exploring how blogging could contribute to development. Sponsors of the three-day event included ActivSpaces, TV5 Monde Afrique, Nestlé Cameroon, SABC and the United Nations. The discussions also touched on how bloggers could contribute to awareness around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Main Topics of Discussion

One of the biggest topics at the summit was something many bloggers were already thinking about: how to turn blogging into an income-generating activity and potentially a career.

Both upcoming and established bloggers shared their experiences and discussed ways to improve their platforms, build sustainable businesses and change the perception that blogging was simply a hobby or a waste of time. The discussions also looked at examples from other African countries and other parts of the world where bloggers had already been able to turn their platforms into successful businesses and careers.

Anglophone and Francophone bloggers were randomly divided into seven groups, with each group assigned a topic related to the opportunities and challenges facing blogging in Cameroon. According to the program, each group was expected to have at least five members. However, because some registered participants did not attend, a few groups had fewer members. This did not prevent them from completing their discussions and presenting their ideas.le.

The Following Group Topics Were Discussed:

1. Bloggers as key players in sustainable development
2. Cameroonian bloggers as useful agents in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals
3. Blogging and civic responsibility
4. Valuing bloggers
5. Blogging’s contribution to the development of Cameroon’s digital ecosystem
6. Blogging and its perception in Cameroonian society
7. Regional challenges related to blogging

Following the group discussions, approximately 30 points were presented and adopted collectively.

What the Sponsors Had to Say

Representatives from the summit’s sponsors also participated in the discussions, sharing what companies and organizations expected when working with bloggers and how both sides could build mutually beneficial, long-term relationships.

The conversations gave bloggers an opportunity to hear directly from organizations that could potentially work with or support them. Sponsors were open to some of the ideas presented by the bloggers while also pushing back on proposals they felt did not align with their expectations or business needs. That exchange was particularly important for bloggers interested in monetizing their platforms, as it provided a clearer picture of what potential partners were looking for and what bloggers would need to bring to the table.

Issues Raised by the Anglophone Bloggers

One of the biggest concerns raised by Anglophone bloggers was the language barrier. Most of the information and documentation provided at the summit was in French. With the exception of a small number of representatives who could communicate in both English and French, most of the proceedings were also conducted in French.

The Anglophone bloggers made their concerns known during the summit. Their main question was straightforward: How could Anglophone bloggers become an integral part of the summit and the association if nearly all of the spoken and written communication was in French?

The concern also extended beyond those who attended the first summit. What would happen to Anglophone bloggers who did not understand French but wanted to participate in future events or become members of the association?

Cameroon has two official languages, English and French, so the bloggers argued that an initiative seeking to represent the country’s blogging community should make its communication and documentation accessible in both languages. Addressing that issue would be especially important if future editions of the summit were expected to attract greater Anglophone participation.

The president of the association explained that the initiative had originally consisted of Francophone bloggers, which was why the first summit was largely conducted in French. However, with efforts underway to bring Anglophone bloggers into the initiative, organizers said they looked forward to making summit information and documents available in English to make future participation easier.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The summit is set to be held once every year and any interested blogger’s that seek to be a part of the summit must register before they are able to partner with the summit. The first edition of the #237 Blogger’s Summit ended on Sunday October 27, 2019 at 2 p.m., with  closing remarks from an Anglophone and Francophone blogger..

The 237 Bloggers Summit was expected to become an annual event, with interested bloggers required to register to participate. The inaugural edition officially ended on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at 2 p.m., with closing remarks from both an Anglophone and a Francophone blogger.

The president of the Association of Bloggers of Cameroon and his team thanked the bloggers who participated in the first edition. Attendees left with the hope of continuing to work together to strengthen Cameroon’s blogging ecosystem and build a more connected community between Anglophone and Francophone bloggers.

There was also anticipation for a second edition of the 237 Bloggers Summit in 2020, with hopes that the association would continue to grow and attract a more diverse mix of bloggers from both communities.

Overall, the inaugural summit provided three days of discussions, networking and learning. Sponsors treated participants with respect throughout the event, with accommodation and meals provided as well as daily coffee breaks, allowing attendees to focus on the activities and discussions.

As the first edition of the Bloggers Summit, the event was largely positive, but there was still room for improvement. The language barrier was one of the clearest issues that would need to be addressed if the initiative wanted to fully represent bloggers from across Cameroon.

Most importantly, the summit brought bloggers who may not otherwise have interacted into the same space to discuss shared challenges, opportunities and the future of their work. For a first edition, it provided a starting point for what participants hoped would become a stronger and more connected blogging community in Cameroon.