State-run Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) is stepping up efforts to expand its mobile footprint, launching an international tender for the supply of 2.3 million SIM cards as it seeks to deepen market penetration.
The operator has invited local and international firms to bid for the supply of 1.85 million pre-digitised Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), UMTS, and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) SIM cards.
The tender also includes an additional 450 600 blank SIMs, all of which must be compliant with 5G technology.
The project, estimated at 500 million francs CFA ($877 210) and funded through the 2026 budget, underscores the company’s ambition to rapidly scale subscriber acquisition.
The move is designed to remove a critical bottleneck in customer on-boarding, according to industry analysts.
With SIM availability often constraining new activations, the bulk procurement aims to support aggressive marketing and customer conversion strategies, particularly in underserved localities.
Camtel, which currently holds a market share of approximately 2.67%, is the third-biggest player in the country after Orange (50.08%) and MTN (47.2%).
By insisting on SIMs compatible with next-generation technologies, the operator is signalling readiness for future 5G use cases, even as licensing for high-frequency spectrum remains under government review.
The funding strengthens our ability to deploy faster, further, and more efficiently, said Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi, managing director of Camtel.
She pointed out that that the expansion is a driver of innovation and improved access to digital public services.
The closing date for bids is 5 May 2026, with delivery expected within four months of contract notification.
This suggests a tight rollout schedule aligned with near-term commercial objectives to increase the company's competitive standing against its multinational rivals.
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