In 2020 and 2021 state-owned telecommunications operator Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) will focus on two key pillars of a broader strategy: consolidation and expanding market share.

General Manager of Camtel Judith Yah Sunday Achidi said the strategy will centre on finances, customers, processes and human resources.

The company, one of four mobile network service providers operating in Cameroon, is looking to implement a programme budget, generate turnover of FCFA 115.2 billion (circa US$189-million), while also recovering at least 95% of its debt.

Government ministries and state corporations are noted to be the company's biggest debtors.

To achieve these financial targets, the company intends to accelerate the commercialisation of its prepaid services, including voice, SMS, and data, and focus on the reliability of its billing system and specialised links.

Achidi acknowledged that Camtel's network has been attacked, resulting in repeated disruptions to service - especially in the capital Yaounde.

She added: "Camtel's network is our collective asset. We should protect and safeguard it jealously. Our objective is to become leaders in digital business in the Central African Sub-region. How can we achieve this goal if the very bedrock of our structure is jeopardised?"

In addition to improving the monetisation of its submarine cables and transport infrastructure, Camtel aims to reinforce its relationship with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board.

Achidi added: "In this light, we will work towards ameliorating the quality of services rendered to our clients by stabilising power cuts and limiting incidents on network infrastructure."

The next phase of the company's 2022–2025 strategy will focus on establishing Camtel as the leader of the digital transformation process in Cameroon.

The country aims to emerge as a digital economy by 2035.

Although Camtel owns the country's lone fibre optic backbone, it holds the lowest market share, behind MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroun and Nexttel (Viettel).