Cameroon Launches Digital Platform to Combat Diploma Fraud and Modernize Recruitment Processes

this initiative aims to enhance transparency, particularly in the public service sector, by swiftly detecting fake qualifications and streamlining authentication processes.

The announcement came during a ceremony at the École Normale Supérieure of the University of Yaoundé I, attended by Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education, and Joseph Le, Minister of Public Service. The platform is seen as a "crucial step" toward the modernization of Cameroon's public administration.

How It Works

The system operates through a secure digital network where public institutions can easily verify the authenticity of diplomas. Educational institutions upload exam results into a centralized database. Through a user-friendly interface provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Public Service can make digital verification requests and receive authenticated responses. The system includes QR code technology for added security and efficiency.

Combating Diploma Fraud

Diploma fraud is a persistent issue in Cameroon, affecting both public and private sectors. For example, in 2022, nearly 1,000 police cadets were dismissed due to fake qualifications, and in 2024, over 1,300 fraudulent diplomas were detected during the recruitment of gendarmes and soldiers. This platform, born from an agreement signed in April 2023 between the Ministries of Higher Education and Public Service, will work in tandem with other government bodies, including the Ministries of Secondary Education, Basic Education, and Employment and Vocational Training.

The new system will simplify and accelerate recruitment procedures, while ensuring the reliability of information provided, said Jacques Fame Ndongo. Joseph Le added that it represents "a modern tool for verifying diploma authenticity and a mark of trust for citizens, employers, and public institutions."