The Y’ello Press Awards are an annual competition initiated by MTN Cameroon, in partnership with the Cameroon Federation of Press Publishers (FEDIPRESSE) and under the patronage of the Ministry of Communication, whose premises hosted the official launch ceremony on April 30, 2026.

The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi, in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Cameroon, Wanda Matandela, the Director General of CRTV, Charles Ndongo, the CEO of Mobile Money Corporation, Alain Nono, the Executive Secretary of FEDIPRESSE, Parfait Siki, and the Chairman of the competition’s jury, Prof. Nta à Bitang.

Launched as part of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the Y’ello Press Awards will recognize the best productions across several categories, including: Golden Pen, Feature Report, Investigation, Profile, Photojournalism, Opinion Piece, Young Talent, and Media House, among others. Winners will share a total prize pool of over 11 million FCFA. Submissions are open online until October 15, 2026. Interested journalists can submit their work via the dedicated platform available at: https://bit.ly/yello-media-awards-2026

In his address, the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi, praised “an initiative that promotes journalistic work and strengthens the role of the print media in society.”

This initiative is part of the implementation of the partnership signed in 2024 between MTN Cameroon and FEDIPRESSE. “Winning back readership depends on quality, respect for the fundamentals of the profession, and reliable information,” emphasized Parfait Siki, expressing hope that the Y’ello Press Awards will significantly contribute to improving the quality of print media output in Cameroon.

For the CEO of MTN Cameroon, Wanda Matandela, “This launch demonstrates what is possible when government, the private sector, and the media work together—not only to build networks, but also to strengthen trust, create opportunities, and promote inclusion. The future of Africa will be digital, yes. But it must also be informed, inclusive, and trustworthy.” He added: “At MTN Cameroon, we are committed to building today the world of tomorrow. It is a journey we are proud to share with you.”

The implementation of this vision is based on three key pillars, as highlighted by Jean Melvin Akam, General Manager, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at MTN Cameroon: “the online distribution of newspapers through the Y’ello Kiosk platform, capacity building for journalists through the MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme (MIP), and the promotion of excellence in journalism through the Y’ello Press Awards.” These initiatives reflect MTN Cameroon’s commitment to contributing to the development of media, particularly the print press.

About MTN Cameroon

MTN Cameroon is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, present in 22 countries worldwide. A provider of electronic communication and payment solutions in Cameroon since February 2000, MTN Cameroon is the leader in the electronic communications sector in the country.

Press Contact:
Farida Ossele
Tel: +237 677 55 21 82
Email: Farida.Ossele@mtn.com
Website: www.mtn.cm