Cameroon’s telecoms regulatory board launches $52m debt recovery quest

Cameroon’s Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has announced plans to launch a robust debt recovery operation for over $52 million in unpaid license fees and financial penalties from mobile network operators.

The move, described as a decisive step to enforce compliance with regulatory standards, underscores the government’s broader push to foster accountability and competitiveness in the telecom sector.

According to a report by ITWeb Africa, a TRB official revealed that the outstanding debts stem from years of unpaid licence fees and penalties imposed for various regulatory breaches. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasised that the recovery effort is part of a strategic initiative to ensure operators adhere to market rules and fulfil their licensing obligations.

“This is about creating a level playing field and ensuring that operators deliver on their commitments to consumers and the state,” the official said.

The TRB’s board, chaired by Justine Diffo, recently convened an extraordinary meeting in Ebolowa, where it approved measures to operationalize the “preferential right of the treasury.” This legal mechanism grants the regulator authority to take coercive action against debtors, including seizing assets or imposing further sanctions.

Diffo highlighted the scale of the debts owed by concession operators, licensed operators, and other telecom stakeholders, noting that the recovery operation would be conducted systematically to safeguard public interest.

MTN Cameroon, Orange may be affected

Although the TRB has not publicly named the targeted companies, industry insiders speculate that major players such as MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroon, and state-owned Camtel are likely in the regulator’s crosshairs. These operators have faced scrutiny for issues ranging from inadequate network coverage to irregular SIM card registration practices. 

In 2023, the TRB imposed fines totaling 6 billion CFA francs ($9.7 million) on four telecom firms for persistent network coverage and quality-of-service failures. Orange Cameroon bore the heaviest penalty at $3.5 million, followed by Nexttel ($2.4 million), MTN Cameroon ($2.2 million), and Camtel ($1.2 million).

The regulator’s aggressive stance comes when Cameroon’s telecom sector is facing mounting consumer dissatisfaction. 

According to a 2024 report by the African Telecommunications Union, Cameroon ranks below regional peers like Nigeria and Ghana in mobile network reliability, despite having one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Central Africa, at 87%.

The debt recovery operation also aligns with the government’s broader efforts to strengthen governance in the digital economy. President Paul Biya’s administration has prioritized expanding digital infrastructure to support Cameroon’s Vision 2035 development agenda, which aims to transform the country into an emerging economy. 

Recently, the government has pushed for increased investment in broadband networks and rural connectivity, but regulatory non-compliance by operators has hindered progress. “Operators must respect their obligations to ensure that Cameroonians benefit from affordable and reliable telecom services,” Diffo said following the Ebolowa meeting.

Industry analysts view the TRB’s actions as a critical step toward reforming the telecom sector but warn of potential challenges. 

“The regulator is sending a strong signal, but recovering such a large sum could strain relations with operators who are already navigating a tough economic environment,” said a Douala-based telecom consultant, Marie Nfor. 

Cameroon’s economy has faced headwinds from global inflation and currency depreciation, which have increased operational costs for telecom firms. In 2024, MTN Cameroon reported a 12% rise in infrastructure maintenance costs due to fuel price hikes, a factor that operators argue justifies a tariff increase. 

None of the implicated operators had issued public responses to the TRB’s announcement at the time of this report. However, sources close to MTN Cameroon indicated that the company is reviewing its financial obligations and plans to engage with the regulator to resolve any disputes. 

The TRB’s debt recovery campaign is expected to unfold over the coming months, with the regulator vowing to pursue all legal avenues to recoup the funds. For consumers, the outcome could determine whether Cameroon’s telecom sector can deliver the quality and affordability long demanded in a rapidly digitizing economy.