Cameroon’s state-owned telecommunications company, Camtel, announced on January 21, 2026, that it has secured a syndicated financing deal worth CFA44.884 billion (about $80.3 million) with Commercial Bank Cameroon (CBC) to fund the first phase of its Mobile Network Expansion (MNE) project, according to Ecofin Agency.
The initiative is aimed at improving service quality and extending mobile network coverage across the country as demand for mobile services continues to rise.
The MNE project focuses on easing congestion on existing infrastructure and expanding 2G, 3G, and 4G services to regional and departmental capitals, university towns, key economic zones, and rural communities that currently have limited or no connectivity.
Through this rollout, Camtel plans to strengthen network performance and advance digital inclusion nationwide.
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The financing is part of a broader investment program estimated at CFA52.2 billion.
To support the expansion, Camtel also engaged a local banking consortium made up of Commercial Bank Cameroon, Afriland First Bank, Union Bank of Cameroon, and National Financial Credit.
In addition, the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) had earlier approved CFA31.3 billion under a seven-year refinancing facility, which covers 60% of the total program and carries interest indexed to the central bank’s TIAO rate.
Despite progress in mobile access, connectivity gaps remain across Cameroon. According to Digital 2026 data from DataReportal, the country recorded about 29 million active mobile lines by the end of 2025, representing 96.4% of the population, although many of these connections are still limited to voice calls and SMS.
Mobile internet usage stood at 12.6 million users, or 41.9% of the population, highlighting the need for further investment to reduce the digital divide.
Camtel expects the MNE project to turn these financial commitments into tangible network deployments, expand access to mobile internet, reinforce digital sovereignty, and support activities such as e-commerce, online learning, and public digital services.
The expansion could also create opportunities for new businesses and encourage digital innovation across Cameroon.
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Image Credit: Techpoint Africa
