Fiber optics in Cameroon: a warning ranking 🌐

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The latest joint report by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) and British consultancy firm Omdia, published in April 2025, leaves no room for doubt. Out of 93 countries assessed in the Global Fiber Development Index, Cameroon ranks dead last. With a score of 4 out of 100, the country has dropped three points compared to the previous edition. It also loses ground on the African front, now ranking 19th on the continent.

A Low Score Despite Existing Infrastructure 📉

The global ranking published by WBBA and Omdia places Cameroon in 93rd position, with a score of 4 out of 100. In 2023, the country had still scored 7. This sharp drop reflects the stagnation of fiber development, despite optimistic government statements.

And yet, Cameroon is one of the few Central African countries connected to five submarine cables, including SAT3, WACS, SAIL, and NCSCS. But their usage remains marginal. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation, less than a third of the capacity of some cables has been used since they became operational.

Connectivity Still Out of Reach 🚫

Fiber access remains limited for the population. In 2020, nearly 14 million Cameroonians were still living in areas with no fiber or no real possibility of accessing it. This figure represents over half the population and highlights the gap between the investments made and their actual impact on the ground.

Despite a fiber network of 15,000 kilometers installed by the end of 2023, results are still lacking. The government plans to extend the network by another 3,500 kilometers in 2025, but usage remains limited. Yet, the global index takes into account criteria such as household and business coverage, as well as service quality.

Digital Efforts Are Progressing 🚀

Not everything is bleak, however. Between 2018 and 2022, mobile broadband penetration doubled, rising from 18% to 39%. This growth is largely driven by mobile networks, which partially compensate for weaknesses in the fixed network.

But this momentum is not enough to improve the overall ranking. The report highlights the gap between countries that have heavily invested in fiber-to-the-home, and those like Cameroon, where deployments are still confined to institutional or urban usage.

Recommendations Ignored or Poorly Implemented 💡

The report recommends that low-performing countries consider temporary alternatives, such as fixed wireless technologies. These solutions could gradually expand fiber coverage while improving broadband access.

Other African nations seem to have figured it out. Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Egypt are among the continent’s top performers. They have moved away from stop-and-go strategies in favor of continuous planning, supported by reforms on digital infrastructure governance.

What’s your take ?!! 
Do you have access to fiber where you live? What changes do you think are needed? Share your thoughts in the comments 😊