Cameroon: Camtel mobilizes nearly $80.3 million to expand its mobile network
January 26th 2026
The Cameroonian mobile market remains largely dominated by private operators Orange and MTN. Camtel is multiplying its initiatives to strengthen its presence, densify its network and, in the long term, establish itself as a leading player in the country’s mobile segment.
Cameroon’s state-owned operator Camtel announced on Wednesday, January 21, the signing of a syndicated financing agreement for 44.884 billion FCFA (US$80.3 million) with Commercial Bank Cameroon (CBC). The funds are earmarked for the first phase of its “Mobile Network Expansion” (MNE) project, which aims to expand and improve the quality of mobile services across the country.
This program aims to relieve congestion on existing infrastructure and extend 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage to regional and departmental capitals, university towns, strategic economic zones, and underserved rural areas. The objective is to improve service quality and support digital inclusion in a country where the demand for mobile connectivity continues to grow.
This financing is part of a larger investment program, valued at 52.2 billion FCFA. A few days before the announcement of the MNE project, Camtel had approached a local banking syndicate composed of CBC, Afriland First Bank, Union Bank of Cameroon (UBC) and National Financial Credit (NFC) to support this expansion plan.
To support this operation, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) gave its approval in September 2025 for the mobilization of 31.3 billion CFA francs through its special refinancing window, representing 60% of the investment program. This mechanism, dedicated to the medium-term financing of productive projects in the CEMAC zone, provides for a seven-year loan at a rate indexed to the central bank’s TIAO (Inter-Agency Financing Rate).
In a country where connectivity remains highly unequal between urban and rural areas, expanding the mobile network is crucial. According to DataReportal’s Digital 2026 report, Cameroon had 29.0 million active mobile lines by the end of 2025, representing 96.4% of the population. However, some of these lines remain limited to voice and SMS, without access to mobile internet. Mobile internet penetration remains moderate, with 12.6 million users (41.9% of the population), highlighting the importance of further investment to bridge the digital divide.
Camtel’s accelerated investment could translate these financial commitments into effective deployments on the ground, improve access to digital services, stimulate mobile internet usage, and strengthen the state’s telecommunications sovereignty. Ultimately, the MNE project should help facilitate access to e-commerce, online education, and digital public services, while fostering the emergence of new businesses and innovations in the digital sector.
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