Legality of eSignatures in Cameroon

Background

Electronic signatures are rapidly transforming the document authentication landscape in Cameroon and globally by introducing efficient and environmentally conscious methods that are gaining momentum. The shift from paper to digital signatures accelerates the completion of various dealings.

For successful adoption in Cameroon, selecting an electronic signature tool that aligns with the nation’s legal stipulations, specifically the Electronic Transactions Act, is crucial¹. This is to ascertain the legal validity of electronic signatures compared to their handwritten counterparts in Cameroon. Despite the growing acceptance, it’s essential to recognize that some documents may still need a physical signature, and seeking legal consultation is advisable to navigate variable regional laws².

The importance of security surrounding electronic signature platforms cannot be understated. Services must integrate robust protection features such as data encryption, verification of signer identities, and provision of audit trails to deter wrongful access and guarantee document authenticity. For instance, BoldSign offers these imperative security features and complies with legal and security protocols.

Enterprises in Cameroon must emphasize legal conformity, elevate security measures, and choose user-friendly platforms for integrating electronic signatures into their business frameworks. This approach boosts productivity and ensures the protection of their business exchanges.

Overview of the eSignature regulations

Generally, eSignatures and transactions were considered legally valid before the enactment of the legislation, respectively, as wet-ink signatures and manual transactions³.

The use of electronic signatures and electronic means of contract execution in Cameroon is controlled by:

Law on Cybersecurity and Cybercriminality⁴
Electronic Commerce Law⁵

The Cameroon regulation grants all individuals the freedom to electronically execute their contracts upon the agreement of the contracting parties⁶.

An electronic signature is any data, including a sound, symbol, or process, executed or adopted to identify a person and indicate that person’s approval or intention regarding the information contained in a data message and which is attached to or logically associated with that data message. Such signatures, under the regulation, are divided into:

Standard electronic signatures
Advanced electronic signatures

A standard electronic signature is an eSignature obtained by an asymmetric encryption algorithm to authenticate the sender of a message and verify its integrity⁷.

An advanced electronic signature is an eSignature obtained using a qualified electronic certificate and designed so that, together with a security procedure, it can be verified that the signature is⁸:

Uniquely linked to the signer.
Linked to the data it relates to so that any subsequent change to the data is detectable.
The use and incorporation remain in their sole control.
The certificate used to generate signatures shall be a qualified certificate. An instrument of the Ministry in charge of telecommunications shall determine the qualification criteria for certificates.

Being uniquely linked to the signer

An advanced electronic signature must be uniquely connected to the person using it. The signature must be uniquely created with methods only the signer can access, like a private key and confidential infomation, to verify their identity.

The use and incorporation remain in their sole control

The person using the advanced electronic signature must have sole control over the means of creating the signature. Typically, this requires managing a key pair or two-factor authentication, with the signer holding the private key exclusively to prevent signature forgery.

Ability to identify the signatories

The process used to create the signature must be capable of identifying the person signing. This may include using a biometric signature, a Personal Identification Number (PIN), an email address, or even a company registration number.

Ease in tracking down any alterations made after signing

Preserving the authenticity of the signed document is essential. Modifications made to the document post-signature should be identifiable. This is commonly accomplished through an audit trail. Audit trails record the signer’s IP address, timestamps of key signing events, and location, providing proof of identity, timing, and signature place.

An advanced electronic signature is deemed to have the same legal value as a handwritten signature and produces the same effects when used⁹.

Summary analysis

Types of eSignature	Unique Features
Standard electronic signature	N/A
Advanced electronic signature	Uniquely linked to the signatory Capable of identifying the signatory Created using means that the signatory can maintain their control Linked to the data it relates to, so that any subsequent change to the data is detectable

Assessment of evidentiary weight of electronic information

In an assessment of an electronic record, the following set of standards is taken into consideration¹⁰.

Reliability of the generation and storage of information
Reliability of the mode used to maintain the integrity of the record
The manner in which the signatory was identified
Any other factor necessary

The scope and limitations of eSignature transactions

The use of electronic signature is not legally recognized for all document types. Some transactions are appropriate for eSignatures, while others are not. Below is a brief analysis and a summary table of these transactions.

Documents that can be signed

Electronic signatures can be employed to affix signatures and provide countersignatures on a diverse array of documents, such as:

Legal opinions
Offer letters
Memoranda & internal correspondences
Non-disclosure agreements
Purchase orders
H.R.
Procurement
Employee onboarding, etc.

Exemptions

In limiting the scope of use of electronic signatures, the Act exempts transactions from the following regulations¹¹:

Family and succession laws
Conveyancing transactions
Surety and guarantee contracts
Transactions with courts or public authorities or those that require such interventions

Summary list

Permissible transactions	Exempted transactions
Legal opinions Offer letters Memoranda & internal correspondences Non-disclosure agreements Purchase orders H.R. Procurement Employee onboarding	Transactions in the field of family law and inheritance Family and Succession laws Conveyancing transactions Surety and guarantee contracts Transactions with courts or public authorities or those that require such interventions Notaries

How does BoldSign help

The following elements of compliance available within BoldSign can be used to comply with Cameroon laws:

Secure and unique signing link: A secure and unique link to sign a document is sent directly to the signer’s email address. This ensures that the document is only accessed by the intended signer and cannot be tampered with.
Password protection: Senders can specify a password that needs to be entered before viewing and signing a document. This adds another layer of security to the signing process.
Audit trail: The IP address of the signer and timestamps for all significant events in the signing process are recorded in an audit trail. This provides a record of who signed the document, when, and where.
Digital signature: The final document is digitally signed with an AATL-compliant certificate. This ensures that the document cannot be tampered with without invalidating the signature.
Consent: Signers are asked to confirm their intent to sign electronically and informed that they could opt out. This ensures that the signer is aware of the implications of signing electronically and has given their consent.
Custom terms: Get your signers to agree to a custom set of terms. This can be useful to ensure additional security or that the signer understands the terms of the document.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended to help businesses understand the legal framework of electronic signatures for this particular country.

However, Syncfusion’s officers, directors, stockholders, affiliates, attorneys, accountants, employees, or agents cannot provide legal advice. You should consult your personal attorney regarding your specific legal questions. Laws and regulations are subject to frequent changes, and the information may not be current or accurate. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Syncfusion provides this material on an “as-is” basis. Syncfusion disclaims and makes no representation or warranty of any kind with respect to this material, express, implied, or statutory, including representations, guarantees, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or accuracy.

Syncfusion makes no warranties of any kind, including but not limited to the information or the product, whether express, implied, statutory, or otherwise. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Syncfusion disclaims all conditions, representations, and warranties, whether express, implied, or statutory, with respect to this information, without limitation of any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or currentness of this information.

Syncfusion nor its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, affiliates, attorneys, accountants, or agents shall be liable for indemnification, nor does this create an express or implied, contractual or statutory, equitable or otherwise, under this Agreement. The officers, directors, stockholders, affiliates, attorneys, accountants, or agents will not have any liability in any form.

¹Electronic Transactions Act, 2011.- https://ict.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CAMEROON-Electronic-Transactions-Act-No.-8-of-2011.pdf
² Anna Nordén, ‘Electronic signatures in a legal context,’ in Cecilia Magnusson Sjöberg, editor, I.T. Law for I.T. Professionals – an introduction (Studentlitteratur AB; 2005) pp. 152-154; Ubena John, ‘E-documents & E-signatures in Tanzania: Their Role, Status, and the Future,’ p 104; Stephen Mason, ‘The practical issues in using electronic signatures in different jurisdictions,’ Computer and Telecommunications Law Review, 2021, Volume 27, Issue 6, pp. 165-179
³Ibid S. 6
⁴Law N° 2010/012 Of 21 December 2010 Relating To Cybersecurity And Cybercriminality – https://ictpolicyafrica.org/en/document/xr0onx7xbq?searchTerm=artificial%20intelligence&page=1
⁵Law No. 021 of 2010 on Electronic Commerce – https://ictpolicyafrica.org/fr/document/t9csste81r
⁶Ibid (N.5) S. 9
⁷Ibid (N.4) S. 4 (68)
⁸Ibid (N.4) S. 4(69), 18
⁹Ibid (N.4) S. 17
¹⁰Ibid S. 8 (4)
¹¹Ibid (N.5) S. 10

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Google Integration, 25 free sends, dashboard, Signature font options, App is very responsive / fast, Emails between sender and signer are good, Audit trail is very helpful, No account needed for signer is great, Mobile experience is good for signer.

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Edgewood Solutions

Switch to BoldSign already! It's intuitive to use and affordable for small businesses. I never have to worry about the status of a document because with BoldSign I know. Plus, they let you program the frequency of reminders signatories receive. I'm so glad to have found it!

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Kaleidoscope

We’re using BoldSign successfully in our b2b SaaS platform - as it’s embedded to allow seasonal farm workers and their agribusiness employers to e-sign their employment onboarding documents for the first time. It’s part of the total solution saving the workers and HR managers 50% more time compared to their traditional pen/paper manual process.

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Croft

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