SOCADEL and CAMTEL sign a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for the pooling of their networks and infrastructure

Yaoundé, 16 October 2026 – The Cameroon Electricity Corporation and (SOCADEL) Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) have signed a memorandum of understanding today in Yaoundé on the pooling of their networks and infrastructure.

This memorandum articulates the will of the two companies to examine the prospect of sharing their respective infrastructure in order to maximise their current investments, control deployment costs and enhance, in the long run, the services delivered to users.

It creates a framework for cooperation to conduct technical, legal and economic studies to lay the groundwork for a framework agreement. This agreement will spell out the scope, terms and conditions for implementing the proposed infrastructure pooling.

CAMTEL plans to leverage its national optical fibre backbone, its national and international connectivity capabilities, as well as its expertise in deployment and operation of telecommunications networks. SOCADEL plans to use its network of electrical infrastructure, its poles and rights-of-way, as well as the opportunities offered by its future optical fibre - inclusive deployments.

For CAMTEL, this cooperation could facilitate extension of the optical-fibre network and diversify transmission routes in order to enhance the continuity of connections. For SOCADEL, it could further interconnect its agencies, operations centres and other strategic sites, as well as support the modernisation of its operations.

According to the General Manager of SOCADEL, Oumarou Hamandjoda, « SOCADEL and CAMTEL are both State-owned companies. They are saying that they can work together to develop national infrastructure in a coordinated and coherent manner, as envisioned by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya. Signing this Memorandum of Understanding confirms our intentions and compels our experts to speedily fine-tune this infrastructure-pooling initiative. We hope to move very quickly from the intention to the framework agreement, and from there to an initial phase of implementation in pilot sites. »

According to the General Manager of CAMTEL, Mrs. Judith Yah Sunday épouse Achidi, « this initiative aligns with a tangible goal: making better use of available infrastructure to extend connectivity and improve the quality of services. The complementary nature of our respective networks can enable us curb deployment costs and open up new possibilities for service delivery. The studies that we will carry out will clearly spell out the technical and economic conditions to govern this infrastructure pooling»

A joint deployment plan could also limit infrastructure duplication and reduce right-of-way clutter, notably in urban areas.

Joint studies are expected to ascertain the feasibility of these possibilities, with special attention paid to the safety of people and installations; to respect for applicable regulations and safeguard of each company’s rights.

Signing this memorandum is a maiden step. It conveys a shared desire to cooperate, subject to operational conditions that will be spelt out in the future framework agreement.

Through this initiative, SOCADEL and CAMTEL would like to leverage the complementarity of their respective networks to modernise national infrastructure and enhance power supply and telecommunications services.

About CAMTEL Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) is the State-owned telecommunications company in Cameroon. With its footprint in the fixed phone, mobile telecoms and data transfer markets, the company provides services to individuals, companies, administrations and operators. It builds around a national optical fibre backbone and international sub-marine cable connections to support connectivity expansion. Through its infrastructure and service, CAMTEL contributes to Cameroon's digital transformation and increases access to telecommunications.

About SOCADEL The Cameroon Electricity Corporation (now SOCADEL, formerly Eneo Cameroon), a State-owned  company, is a key player in Cameroon’s electricity sector. It operates across power generation, distribution and commercialisation. Created on 04 May 2026 through a presidential decree, SOCADEL, together with other actors in the electricity system, works to help implement the sector’s recovery plan and enhance power supply.

Media Contacts :
CAMTEL: [email protected] 620 001 026
SOCADEL: [email protected] 691 836 060

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