Enstine Musaga MUKI est un jeune camerounais, à quelques mois de la 30aine et travaillant pour son propre compte dans le domaine de l’Informatique. Il s’implique dans divers projets, dont la création de son CMS opensource « NOSTRESS»  (déjà utilisé pour le site Cameroun-Business) et l’hébergement de sites web via Njangi Host (quel nom ). Il nous présente ici quelques uns de ses projets, et les difficultés que trouvent les jeunes quand ils veulent entreprendre au Cameroun.

1- Hello Enstine. Is your noun pronounced « Einstein»  like the physician?
I think even the name ‘Einstein’ is pronounced differently by different readers. Any pronunciation that does not distort the name will not hurt

2- What are the different projects you are running in your company? Can you present the important ones?
There are a number of projects I’m involved in right now, the hottest of which is the creation of a web hosting structure based in Cameroon with data center in Dallas, US.

Next to this is the Money Transfer web based software (Cyber-Cash) sponsored by Better Planning Ltd (www.betterplanning.net). We already have a client and installation of the very first copy is scheduled for no distant time from now. This product is counted one of the two must successful products I worked on during the past two years. My contribution to cyber-cash counts above 90% of the release.

One other important project is The Web Content Management System (WCMS) I named « NOSTRESS« . I started this product late 2006 and the very first site to depend on it for refreshment is www.cameroon-business.com and since then, close to 10 others have said « NOSTRESS Welcome« . Right now, what I intend to do is standardize and publish it as open source CMS.Other projects include Web2Hand, a web based SMS product, Development of a live streaming solution for a local FM radio (in fact, solution has been well developed and what I have left is stretching of Internet signals to the studios. You can view that at http://radiobonnenouvelle.org/index.php). Other projects may not be mentioned.

3- How did it come that you create your company? What were your motivations?
I have worked for more than three different SMEs here in Cameroon but it came a moment I thought of being an employer myself. I think this is more fulfilling. I intend to correct the errors of most of the company owners in Cameroon and stand out as a reference in the areas of staff salaries and reward. I just new within me that there is nothing that can stop me from creating a corporate structure, even the government! If the government refuses to make funds available, we will start from somewhere.

I have succeeded in collaboration with Daniel Loka in setting up a web hosting structure known as Njangi Host which is aimed at providing web hosting solutions to Cameroonian and African webmasters, developers and designers. We intend to use our structure to solve many problems including payment and cost. With 25,000Fcfa/year, we can comfortable offer our clients, web hosting plus domain name. Details of this offer are available at http://www.njangihost.com/compare.php. Our data center in Dallas, USA is working great and under supervision and maintenance of one of the top 10 out of about 40,000 web hosting companies in the whole. We are part of a web hosting structure that prides with more than 1, 000,000 hosted domains since 2002

4- How many people are you working with? What is the average age of your collegues?
Njangi Host is still very young. We are barely a month or so. During the past days of our existence, we have been making use of our current staff strength made up of Daniel Loka and myself. We have been working on some technical and administrative issues. Any moment from now, we shall be making public our vacancies.

5- Oh, sorry, I’ve forgotten. Who is Enstine MUKI in few words?
Enstine Muki is a 29 year old Cameroonian PHP/MySQL web developer. I’m resident in Douala, Cameroon. I’m one of those who believe in « There are Opportunities everywhere« . All we need is to figure out what needs to meet.

6- You run some online and offline projects; can you tell us how much you earn form that? Or is it secret?
How much I earn? Well, I can pay my bills and I’m debt free. I do also pay all my agents. Nevertheless, that should not mean I have everything I need.

7- What do you think can be done to bring more Cameroonians to use the Internet more efficiently?
The only thing that enables someone (Cameroonian or not) use something with more efficiency is knowledge which follows some training. The more»  more Cameroonians»  are trained, the more we have more efficient Internet Users in Cameroon.

8- Let me ask you some forecast. What are, according to you, the main Internet services that can be useful for Cameroonian people?
I think as long as we are in the world of globalization where Internet is uniting people, places and resources, most of its services, if not all are useful. It’s just a matter of time. Today, most Cameroonians find Email, IP Telephony, Instant messaging and the Web most useful. This is in terms of the number of users. Subjectively, some will appraise some unpopular systems like WebTV, WebRadio, iConferencing, online financial transactions etc based on their daily activities.

9- What are the main problems young Cameroonians are faced to when they want to create their own businesses (administration? Funding? Skills? Family? etc..)
You just mentioned the answer in your question. I think administration is the main discourager. Government policies in the creation of enterprises are like a broken bridge on ones path. In addition, some forks in the public sector sit on the information they should release. Sometimes, to have a one-sheet document, you will have to move from office to office to office before going to another office (sometimes in a different town) to get another document or have the one you have signed. I think the French idea of http://www.apce.com/ should be copied and implemented.

Availability of funds somehow falls back to the administration. We have the National Employment Fund but it’s for some few who can press hot buttons.

Other factors you mention are all contributory factors but to a lesser extent. You know as well as I do that there are many out there who have the skills but are being frustrated by other related factors.

Family responsibilities, the nature of some of our large and extended families demands more immediate little food than investment for more food the day after tomorrow

One other impediment is the influence of the western world and Americas. A lot of young men who could think deeper and succeed in setting up a structure here are soon swept by the « bush falling»  fever and most of them leave not thinking back home.

10- Some words for our readers to finish this interview?
First, I thank you (20mai.net initiative) for the interview and for your relentless efforts in promoting ICT in Cameroon and for 20mai.net visitors and readers, I’d like you to know that your worth is immeasurable and you are able to positively influence your country (Cameroon or not). All you need do is to put a little more effort. If you can, consume our services offered here in Cameroon (Njangi Host, AfroVisioN, etc) and you will be doing a great deal of promotion.

I can’t end without encouraging you to make it a habit to visit 20mai.net as often as you use the Internet.

Thank you