Cameroon is moving to strengthen its digital infrastructure following a presidential decree signed on 6 March by President Paul Biya authorising a major financing agreement with the Export–Import Bank of China (China EXIMBANK).
The decree empowers the country’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to sign a loan agreement worth 1.35 billion Chinese yuan (approximately 108.4 billion francs CFA or $195 million) to finance Phase IV of the national fibre optic transmission backbone expansion project.
The project could involve laying an additional 4,000 km of terrestrial fibre-optic cable across the country, an official said.
Cameroon currently operates about 12,000 km of terrestrial fibre-optic network, along with roughly 812 km of overhead fibre deployed on electricity poles, all managed by the state-owned telecom operator Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel).
The expansion forms part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate digital transformation, improve national connectivity and position Cameroon as a regional digital hub in Central Africa.
The government believes by extending high-capacity broadband infrastructure across several regions, the project is expected to strengthen the country’s telecommunications backbone and improve internet reliability.
Expanded fibre coverage would enhance connectivity between major urban centres and underserved areas, enabling faster internet speeds, more efficient data transmission and greater digital inclusion.
For investors and technology stakeholders, the initiative underscores the growing importance of Cameroon’s digital economy. Stronger fibre infrastructure is expected to support the development of sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, digital public services and cloud-based platforms.
It could also facilitate deeper integration with regional digital networks, reinforcing Cameroon’s potential role as a connectivity gateway in Central Africa.
Financing from China EXIMBANK reflects continued infrastructure cooperation between Cameroon and China, particularly in telecommunications projects supported by Huawei. Over the past decade, Chinese-backed funding has supported major investments in transport, energy and information technology across the country.
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