By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL, has affirmed its robust network capacity to drive development and improve the well-being of Cameroonians.
The assurance was made on July 24 in Yaoundé during the ongoing Trade Fair for Government Action better known by its French acronym SAGO. The 2024 edition is themed “Governance and the improvement of the living conditions of citizens.”
Speaking at a conference flanked by close collaborators, CAMTEL’s Director General, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi, stress the company’s capacity to continue providing services due to its diverse network infrastructure.
“With four routes between Yaoundé and Douala – an underground cable, the ENEO cable, and an additional route via Bafoussam – we ensure redundancy and service continuity,” she said. “Even if one route is disrupted, communications automatically switch to another, ensuring uninterrupted service.”
While underscoring its commitment to quality service, the DG recognized the role of CAMTEL as the backbone of Cameroon’s digital transformation. She pointe that the company is actively working to enhance service quality.
Addressing criticisms about poor electronic communications, the Director General clarified that CAMTEL is the sole operator authorized to provide network capacity to all telecommunications operators in Cameroon. While CAMTEL supplies the capacity to MTN and Orange, she said, the quality of service to end-users depends on these operators’ distribution channels.
“When communication is poor, it indicates issues with MTN and Orange’s distribution channels. We must publicly clarify this and insist that they stop attributing these problems to CAMTEL’s shortcomings,” she asserted.
However, CAMTEL highlighted its contributions to improving Cameroonians’ lives through modernized government services. From simplified customs procedures to expedited passport issuance, teleworking, and e-declaration, the company demonstrates its commitment to enhancing daily life.
The DG also maintained that CAMTEL has also established an ecosystem to support startups, with initiatives like the Blue Tech Challenge. In the main time, the company aims to digitalize decentralized territorial authorities, promote e-agriculture, and reposition community telecenters.
On his part, Christian Etoundi Ngaba, Head of CAMTEL’s marketing department, emphasized the company’s focus on smart cities projects, including land registry, tax collection, and parking management digitization. With international recognition and a five-year turnover doubling from FCFA 100 billion to FCFA 200 billion, CAMTEL aims to become a leading telecommunications company in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
It is worth noting that the 13th edition of SAGO, launched on July 22, by Communication Minister, René Emmanuel Sadi, brings together 245 exhibitors and is attracting over 200,000 visitors by its July 27 conclusion. Exhibitors include Government structures, parastatals, and businesses showcasing their products, services, and job opportunities to visitors.