Cameroon hits Orange and MTN with 2,6B XAF in fines over poor service 📵

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Cameroon’s telecom regulator is cracking down on two of the country’s biggest operators. Orange Cameroon and MTN Cameroon have been slapped with hefty fines after falling short on key contractual obligations related to network coverage, service quality, and transparent pricing.

Inspections reveal serious shortcomings 🕵️‍♂️

On July 6, 2025, Philémon Zoo Zame, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART), announced financial penalties totaling 2.6 billion CFA francs (about $4.2 million) against Orange and MTN. The fines stem from violations of the operators’ license agreements.

These sanctions follow rigorous inspections carried out by ART between April and May 2024. The audits focused on major urban centers like Yaoundé and Douala, as well as key transport corridors linking Yaoundé to Ebolowa, Kyé-Ossi, Mintom, and Ntam.

The findings were alarming: poor network coverage, unreliable service, and multiple pricing irregularities.

Orange singled out for failing to meet obligations ⚠️

Among the two companies, Orange Cameroon took the brunt of the penalties. The regulator cited the operator for failing to deliver on promised network expansion and service quality. ART also pointed to a lack of transparency in pricing — particularly issues with opt-out codes for premium services that made it difficult for users to unsubscribe. Such practices, according to ART, violate basic consumer rights. As a result, Orange has been fined 1.6 billion CFA francs, with 200 million of that specifically tied to tariff violations.

MTN Cameroon didn’t escape scrutiny either. The operator has been fined 1 billion CFA francs for similar failings in network coverage and service delivery. According to the regulator, these violations breach the standards set by Cameroon’s February 2013 decree governing electronic communications.

A political message wrapped in a financial penalty 🚨

Beyond the financial hit, the move signals a clear shift in Cameroon’s digital policy. The regulator’s decision underscores the government’s intent to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, has fair access to reliable digital infrastructure.

By taking decisive action, ART is asserting its authority and reaffirming its role as a defender of consumer rights. As Cameroon’s digital economy expands, the agency is urging telecom providers to rethink their priorities — and invest seriously in infrastructure to meet rising user expectations.

👉🏾 What’s your take? Will these fines actually lead to better service from Orange and MTN? Let us know your thoughts.