He relies on local innovation to develop sustainable solutions and train digital talents. Through his initiatives, he is building a technology ecosystem rooted in Kribi, yet oriented toward the whole of Africa.

Jacques Bonjawo (photo) is a Cameroonian scientist and tech entrepreneur, committed for several years to digital transformation on the African continent. He is the founder and president of Ocean Innovation Center (OIC), a technology and entrepreneurship hub established in 2017 in Kribi, southern Cameroon.

The OIC operates as both an incubator and accelerator for startups, with a core mission to train young people in digital professions, foster the creation of high-potential technology companies, and generate employment opportunities within the sector. Beyond enterprise development, the center actively supports the social inclusion of women through technological innovation and assists local businesses in their digital transformation journeys.

The OIC offers collaborative workspaces designed to facilitate interaction and project development among entrepreneurs and investors. It currently provides approximately 20 online courses led by over 50 experts, having already trained more than 1,000 students in information technology, communication, and digitalization. The center boasts over 100 classrooms, ready to accommodate new learners.

In addition to his work with the OIC, Jacques Bonjawo chairs the Africa AI Forum, a pan-African platform dedicated to artificial intelligence. This initiative promotes an ethical and responsible approach to AI development on the continent, encouraging collaboration between African experts and international partners.

Bonjawo's extensive career in technology and finance began after earning a Master's degree in Finance and Investments from George Washington University in the United States in 1995. He started at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1997 as a senior associate. The following year, he joined Microsoft, serving as a systems engineer and project manager before becoming a program manager in 2000. From 2004 to 2005, he oversaw the Microsoft IT Academy program.

In 2005, Bonjawo moved to Aditi Technologies, a software development company, as a program manager. More recently, he served as the Information Systems Manager at General Dynamics Information Technology, an American tech company, between 2019 and 2020. From 2019 until February 2025, he also chaired the Industry Board of Alumni Affairs at George Washington University.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji