MTN, leader in the electronic communications sector in Cameroon, is pleased to announce the celebration of its 25 years of activity in the country. The company launched its operations on 15 February 2000, following the acquisition by the South African MTN Group of the State-owned operator, Camtel Mobile.

With roughly 6,000 subscribers and a network available in some of the country’s major cities at the time, mobile telephony was a luxury service. MTN then undertook to take up the challenge of providing Cameroonians with simple, innovative and, above all, affordable communication solutions.

25 years after that commitment, the challenge has been met. ‘Today, more than 13 million people throughout Cameroon are in contact with their loved ones through our network, which has been constantly evolving for 25 years. This network currently covers almost 98% of the population in more than 7,500 towns and villages,’ happily indicates  Mitwa Ng’ambi CEO  of MTN Cameroon.

MTN Cameroon has therefore contributed to opening up the most remote areas, strengthening links between Cameroonians, making people’s daily lives easier and improving the competitiveness of businesses. During this past quarter of a century, the Organisation has transformed mobile telephony into a real driver for growth and development in Cameroon.

MTN Cameroon’s impact goes beyond communication solutions. Its activities have mobilised considerable resources for the national economy and public finances. Over the past 25 years, MTN has invested more than CFAF 1,370 billion in the deployment of its infrastructure in Cameroon. The company has also distinguished itself as one of the most significant taxpayers, with more than FCFA 1,300 billion paid into government coffers in the form of taxes, duties  and fees.

In addition to bridging the digital divide, MTN Cameroon is a catalyst for financial inclusion through its fintech subsidiary, Mobile Money Corporation (MMC), which, thanks to its range of diversified, innovative and affordable products, facilitates the daily lives of more than 5 million active customers.

MTN Cameroon has also created more than a thousand direct jobs, while its operations have fostered the development of a network of partners and suppliers that employ more than 11,000 people. Other sectors of national life, notably the sports and cultural areas, greatly benefit from MTN’s dynamism in Cameroon.

From a social perspective, the company is also involved through the MTN Foundation, very first corporate foundation in Cameroon. Its initiatives in the fields of education, health and community development give new hope to the disadvantaged of society. This engagement with the community is supported by the employees’ annual volunteer programme dubbed 21 Days of Y’ello Care.

“In 25 years, we have brought modernity, progress, prosperity, hope and confidence to all our stakeholders in Cameroon. It would not be an overstatement to say that MTN embodies the greatest success of the privatisation policies pursued by the Cameroonian government since 1995”, continued Mitwa.

The celebration of MTN Cameroon’s 25th anniversary will be marked by a series of commemorative events giving the company the opportunity to thank its employees, customers, partners, communities and all Cameroonians who have contributed to the company’s inclusive and sustainable impact in Cameroon.