Cameroon's geography presents a unique mixed terrain with mountains in the northwest, coastal plains in the southwest, and the savannah and rainforest in the central and western regions. This diverse topography coupled with uneven population distribution, mainly concentrated in large cities like Douala and Yaoundé, has induced challenges for infrastructure deployment, specifically in the telecommunications and technology sectors. Yet, Cameroon is evolving now with five undersea fibre-optic cable systems, enhancing internet connectivity nationwide. The country has also climbed on the renewable energy bandwagon, particularly in solar and hydroelectric power. Notably, its Bambui project in the Northwest region stands as a testament to its ambition for sustainable energy, representing a blend of design acuity and the application of appropriate technology.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 4 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
CamTel, also known as Cameroon Telecommunications, is a national telecommunications and internet service provider based in Cameroon. Founded in 1998, it holds a monopoly over the nation's fixed-line network, providing a range of services including telephony, internet, and CDMA network access. The company has been instrumental in the digitisation of the country's telephone exchanges, with a total of 47 exchanges currently in its system. CamTel is wholly owned by the Cameroonian government, embedding its status as a national provider. Its infrastructure includes optical fibre networks along key...
Nexttel is a telecommunications company operating in Cameroon. The company was established in 2014 as a joint venture between the Vietnamese military-backed telecoms giant Viettel Group and a local partner, Bestinver Cameroon. The company's ownership was split with Viettel Group who held a majority 70% stake, while the remaining 30% was owned by Bestinver Cameroon. Viettel exited shareholding of the company in 2023.
Orange Cameroon is a subsidiary of the multinational telecommunications corporation, Orange S.A., which is based in France. Orange Cameroon was founded in 1999 as Société Camerounaise de Mobile and begun providing services under the Mobilis brand in February 2000. Orange Group acquired the company in June 2002 and subsequently rebranded as Orange Cameroun.