The activity of MTN Cameroon has proven to be an important source of employment. In 20 years, MTN has created more than a thousand direct jobs and nearly 200,000 indirect jobs, thanks to its network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in subcontracting, supply and distribution. Some of these SMEs have grown with MTN and have become benchmarks.
Tag: our-history
MTN Cameroon contribue de façon significative au développement des outils qui permettent au Cameroun de mener sa transformation digitale et construire son Economie Numérique. L’accès du Cameroun à Internet haut débit passe par le câble sous-marin à fibre optique WACS ; un investissement initial de MTN dont le point d’atterrissement à Limbé – Batoke a été retrocédé à l’Etat. MTN accompagne aussi la digitalisation des institutions gouvernementales (Minfopra, CNPS, DGI) et celle de milliers de PME et PMI locales.
In 2000, the phone was still a luxury reserved for the privileged few. CAMTEL Mobile barely had 5,000 subscribers. Today, over 10 million Cameroonians can freely communicate with MTN. We have provided the country with a solid and extensive network which every day brings Cameroonians together. From whatever region, division, district, town or neighbourhood, it is possible to reach your loved ones. And henceforth, thanks to 3G, 4G and now 4.5 G, we do not only make calls, we share moments in real time through photos and videos.
The arrival of MTN in Cameroon has enabled to mobilize significant investments for the national economy. In 20 years, MTN has gathered a cumulative amount of roughly 1000 billion FCFA to acquire licences, build and maintain its infrastructures of world standards in the 10 regions of the country. MTN Cameroon is not only a major investor but also one of the highest contributors to the State with over 1100 billion FCFA paid as taxes, duties and royalties.
MTN feels at home in Cameroon. The company has come to stay. And to stay, it must build. MTN Cameroon has never hesitated to devote huge investments to build and sustainably contribute to the growth of Cameroon, notably by developing a robust and extensive telecommunications network, developing people and senior Cameroonian officials, and building modern buildings as those that accommodate the company’s offices in Douala and Yaounde or its ultra-modern switch centres in Douala and Yaounde.
On the night of 4-5 May 2007, the young company will be hit by the most painful event of its history. Four of its employees perished in the plane crash of a Kenya Airways plane at Mbanga Pongo: Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Utton Grant, Chief Finance Officer, Sarah Stewart and her husband, General Manager Commercial Legal, Patrick Njamfa and Engineer, Patrice Enam Essombo. Surrounded by the affection and support of the Nation, MTN Cameroon is able to face the tragedy and recover.
The incorporation of MTN Cameroon and first initiatives by the company shall quickly satisfy Cameroonians. This is the network Cameroon had been waiting for. Long queues of customers line up in front of MTN Service Centres. Everyone wants to have their MTN SIM card. The country, its culture and openness of its people promote the growth of the African company. This is the beginning of a beautiful story of trust that has lasted for 20 years now.
At the end of 2000, MTN Cameroon launched its “Pay as you go” prepaid offer, which will revolutionize the use of telephony in Cameroon: No subscription. No deposit. Everything is simple. The customer decides what he spends. The telephone is no longer a matter for the rich; it is affordable by all budgets. Everyone can connect and communicate freely. The democratization of telephony is underway.
Within the first few months of the company’s creation, MTN engineers will tame nature, the rivers, mountains, savannah, forest and wild animals to install giant pylons. Soon, all 10 regions will be covered and even the most remote areas will be opened up. Rapidly, Cameroon will be a canvas of golden yellow. Soon, MTN will strengthen so many bonds and change millions of lives through the magic of the telephone.
MTN is incorporated in Cameroon on 15 February 2000 following the acquisition of State-owned company, Camtel Mobile. On 21 June 2000, a Boeing 747 chartered by the MTN Group landed at the Douala airport. The craft was carrying 70 tons of state-of-the-art equipment for MTN Cameroon’s technical installations. The message is clear: MTN is going to build heavily and robustly for the development of mobile telephony in Cameroon.