A new TV series produced in Cameroon wants to give a taste of science to the general public.

How can scientific advances be shared with those who know nothing about it, or even don't think they may be useful? How can we engage young people to take scientific curricula, and later to follow careers?

Stéphane Kenmoe, a scientists and lecturer at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and a native of Cameroon, has already been known for several years in this country for his talks on the Canal2 International channel and his posts on social networks. He has decided to take things to the next level by producing a popular humorous and scientific television series: Science dans la cité.

In 2019, Stéphane Kenmoe had published a collection of short stories La science illumine Ndjocka-City (Binam editions) in which he staged, within the imaginary city (composed with several Cameroonian cities) of Ndjocka-City, characters who brought progress in various fields (electricity production, drinking water supply, medicine, etc.) based on scientific discoveries. Whith a tatse of science fiction, these stories often extrapolated the large-scale application of fundamental discoveries, providing an opportunity to present some recent results in biology, physics or chemistry.

With the support of screenwriter and director Michel Pouamo, Stéphane Kenmoe brought these stories to life on the small screen. Embodied by actors well known to Cameroonian television viewers (but not only) such as Martin Poulibé, Noelle Kenmoe, Alain Bomo Bomo, Marie Stéphanie Adjonj, Eric Blandin Djeumi, Pierre la Paix Dame, Épée Bell, Régine Ngolondock, Wilson Sobzé, Jean Manguelé, Jean Claude Sutchou, Herve Nguetchuang, Emmy Dany Bassong etc., these stories are close to the general public.

Around Kémy the bar owner, a whole gallery of characters comes alive: scientists and engineers, but also sceptics, some of whom are quick to invoke witchcraft to explain Kémy's successes based on science. As in any self-respecting bar, pretty women rub shoulders with some boasters, and even a suspicious policeman, sometimes called to the rescue, but powerless in the face of science's successes.

Shot in Douala in 2019, 26 episodes of Science dans la Cité are now ready to be broadcast on TV channels. Each story is covered by two episodes, at the end of which Stéphane Kenmoe gives some explanations to untangle fiction from reality and scientifically endorse the content.

While waiting for the broadcast on television channels, which will be soon, the producers have organised a tour in French-speaking Africa to present the series, each time in the presence of a star actor. If you would like to organise a screening in your fablab, science club or university, do not hesitate to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (+4915774100594 by WhatsApp).

Luc Allemand

Tour dates

12^th September 2020

13^th October 2020

Mid-November (date to be specified)

End of November (date to be specified)