Telecom Operators MTN and Orange Face Hefty Fines of $4.6 Million for Service Lapses in Cameroon
In the heart of West Africa, Cameroon's telecommunications sector is undergoing a significant transformation. Recent developments have highlighted ongoing service delivery challenges and regulatory compliance issues involving MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun [1][2].
The Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has criticized the operators for poor service quality, attributing it to underinvestment, inadequate infrastructure upgrades, and failure to share network infrastructure. This has led to frequent service disruptions, uneven coverage, network congestion, and unstable data speeds despite rising mobile traffic [1].
In response, the TRB imposed fines totaling approximately CFA2.6 billion (around US $4.6 million) on MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun in July 2025 for failing to meet required network coverage rates and pricing violations such as non-functional opt-out codes for value-added services [1][2]. The regulator has emphasized that regulatory compliance is mandatory and threatened further penalties, including possible reduction of license validity, if improvements are not made [1][2].
Operators have defended their financial contributions, but the government views these levels as inadequate relative to rapidly increasing demand and the need for modernized infrastructure [1][2].
Meanwhile, the government is pushing for improvements in the sector. A planned free mobile roaming launch between Cameroon and Chad by August 11, 2025 is part of a regional CEMAC effort to eliminate high roaming costs and promote sector development [3]. Cross-border regulatory cooperation, such as recent agreements signed with Gabon to improve mobile services at borders, aims for better speeds and fewer dead zones [5].
Cameroon is also advancing a broader digital strategy involving AI development and sovereign technological infrastructure, including solar-powered edge computing and data policies, to create jobs and strengthen its digital economy [4].
The enforcement action is part of Cameroon's push to uphold service quality within its digital economy. The TRB Director General, Philemon Zo'o Zame, emphasized the agency's commitment to upholding contractual standards and the critical role of dependable telecom services in national development [1]. The issues are often attributed to unstable fiber networks, inconsistent power supply, and inadequate maintenance and response systems [1].
As the government intensifies oversight of service providers, customers can expect tightened compliance standards and enhanced complaint mechanisms to address their concerns. Despite collective investment of over $185 billion in network infrastructure in 2023 by Camtel, Orange, and MTN, consumers continue to voice concerns over network failures, sluggish internet, and dropped calls. The penalties deliver a clear message to operators that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
In the realm of Cameroon's digital economy, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has made it clear that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable, with fines totaling CFA2.6 billion imposed on MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun in July 2025 for service delivery and pricing violations. The finance sector is closely connected, as the operators' financial contributions are perceived as inadequate relative to the demands of modern infrastructure and rapidly increasing demand.
